Page 4 - Chiron Issue 2 2014

Welcome to Chiron Calling and to my first iteration of the Director’s View. I have served in the Corps for thirty one years and it is a great honour and privilege for me to be appointed as your Director and to address
you in this capacity through our Corps magazine. I also recognise that Chiron Calling is read by a much wider audience than our Corps members, past and present; literally across the world. To this wider audience I welcome you as a community. It is a community which is not just united by a cap badge, but by affiliation, association and the common bond of working with, and for, Service animals.
I am very pleased to confirm to you that the Corps is in good heart and well placed to deliver the current and future challenges that we will face. In finding this happy state of affairs I must offer my wholehearted thanks to my predecessor, Colonel Neil Smith, for steering the Corps through the final stages of the campaign in Afghanistan and the initial stages of the return to contingency operations (Army 2020). It is also important, and appropriate, for me to recognise the contributions from all of our previous Directors, particularly Brigadiers Warde and Ogilvie-Graham. They all worked tirelessly with their staff to secure a strong future for the Corps, but the collective effort over the past ten years has literally transformed the Corps; and transformed it for the better.
My current plans and vision for the future of the Corps are modest and driven by reacting to the Defence Plan scenarios in Army 2020. In the short-term I will refresh our doctrine, vision and missions to reflect the Corps’ acknowledged role as the lead-user of Military Working Animals (animals, dogs and horses) in Defence. In essence, we will do what we have always done, which is to promote the utility of animals to Defence; whilst ensuring we act as the animal’s advocate. This is perfectly captured in the Corps’ collect, where we promise to, ‘guard these creatures committed to our care against disease and suffering and promote their health and usefulness’. These simple, and profound, tenets will form and shape our doctrine, not just for our Corps, but also for the wider community of organisations and people that use animals in Defence. Traditionally we may have concentrated on the delivery of veterinary care as the main effort rather than the work and utility of animals, but with the formation of 1 Military Working Dog Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps), this narrower interpretation of our
Director’s View
By Colonel D A Macdonald QHVS (Douglas)
doctrine is untenable. We must promote and deliver the use of animals to Defence, and, in doing so, we bear an important responsibility. It is important because we must also represent the animal’s rights; by default we must be leaders and exemplars in the use of animals to preserve the covenant we have with society that allows us the opportunity to use animals in Defence. To support this role of leader and exemplar, I believe everyone who works with animals should follow a Code of Practice, similar to the code produced for instructors in our training establishments. This Code of Practice will act as a guide for all animal users whether they are military or civilian, and regardless of profession. I hope to see it unite us as a community of advocates for the animal, and not a community divided by Service or employment. The first public airing of the Code will be at the Director’s study day later this month and I look forward to seeing how it will be received.
In the medium to long-term we are shaping the Corps to meet the scenarios of ground component operations at home and abroad. This will principally deliver combat support by promoting and delivering the use of dogs for protection and to facilitate manoeuvre. It will also include the delivery of animal health, and veterinary capability, in support to overseas capacity building (hearts and minds) alongside support to the United Kingdom’s resilience activities. These are all areas where our Corps is uniquely qualified and able to add value to Defence operations to support Army 2020. It means our role is secured and our future is bright.
Our immediate goals are the enablers to deliver the above effects. These goals are to: firstly, facilitate the move of the 1 Military Working Dog Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps) from Germany to North Luffenham, as soon as possible; secondly, to recruit and train 350 reserve officers and soldiers to meet our new establishment of three hybrid (regular and reserve) squadrons and two reserve squadrons; and thirdly, to achieve full manning of the regular establishment. Full manning is the key to future success, because the Corps has now grown to 379 regular personnel and 350 reserve personnel. The good news is that recruiting is buoyant with recruits having to compete to join our Corps.
Veterinary care and the delivery of animal health within the mounted units, the Defence Animal Centre and across all animal holding units will also be addressed by improving and refining the support processes across Defence. This is not wholly within the control of the Corps, but by promoting the benefits of a collective approach, then I assume that common sense will prevail.
The quality of our officers and soldiers continues to impress the Army and our Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General James Everard CBE, Commander Land Forces. We can be particularly proud that we are in the vanguard of delivering
our operational role in a gender free environment. At a time when the Army is reviewing the role of women in combat roles, we, the Corps, and especially our dog handlers are seen as exemplars of what can be achieved. Whilst our role is as combat support, and not combat, it must be acknowledged that leading an infantry or marine patrol with a search dog and handler, is as close as it gets. Our men have always allowed us to punch above our weight, and now they are being fully complemented by our women officers and soldiers. Looking back we have come a long way from the wise decision to absorb the WRAC Kennel Maids into the Corps as part of the Options for Change programme in 1993. At the time it was a controversial decision, which is now judged as a prescient one that has brought immense benefit to our Corps. I hope, and trust, that the decisions we are making now will also be judged as being as far-sighted and wise.
I am looking forward with energy and enthusiasm to the next three years; and to meeting our officers and soldiers, past and present, alongside the wider community associated with the Corps. I recognise the debt we owe to all those who have served with us, in whatever way, and I welcome you to join us at our events and reunions. I promise that I will do my utmost to serve you, and to wisely lead the Corps.
Welcome new
DAVRS
Colonel D A Macdonald QHVS (Douglas)
Late Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Born 14 February 1958, educated Firrhill School, Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Royal Veterinary College. Commissioned into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and served as Veterinary Officer in Aldershot, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, Melton Mowbray, United States of America and as Veterinary Officer to the Household Division Roof of the Americas expedition.
At command staff appointed as SO2 DAVRS, Officer Commanding Army Dog Unit (RAVC) Northern Ireland, Commanding Officer Defence Animal Support Unit Germany, SO1 Veterinary Services HQ LAND, Commandant Defence Animal Centre and Veterinary Dean.
Married to Fiona for 34 years; three children (Alison, David and Beth) and one grandson (Charlie). Interests are athletics, now as a coach and official; cycling, walking, gardening, reading and essential DIY including car and cycle maintenance.
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