Page 77 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017
P. 77

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) 75
 Land Systems – Defence Science and Technology Laboratories
Another 12 months have flown by in the world of Defence Science and Technology. Dstl remains a great place to work with variety and opportunity aplenty. Highlights of the year have included escorting scientific and technical groups over- seas, briefing international conferences in London, and (fingers crossed) getting our armoured vehicle and survivability projects ever closer to the finish line.
My post at Dstl has evolved with a new programme laydown. As ‘SO1’ Land Systems, I now look after mounted and dismounted combat as well as combat support and Fires. As a result, the relationship with Army Headquarters, DE&S, industry and academia grows ever more complex. The portfolio of the Land Systems programme in Dstl is extremely broad. If DE&S want technical support to the AJAX trials, we provide it. If Army Headquarters needs evidence to support CR2 Life Extension Programme business cases, we generate it. If the Strike Experi- mental Group wants to experiment on how it could manoeuvre, we assist it. If industry needs guidance on how the Army would like to integrate power and data into our body armour, we offer it. Every week has new challenges and opportunities as I sup- port an outstanding team of scientists, engineers and analysts to deliver high impact science and technology for the Ministry of Defence. It is a truly privileged position to be in the centre of Capability Development and procurement.
The world of Lycra has also been eventful. Through Major Mick Welborn’s outstanding efforts, Royal Armoured Corps’ Triathlon continues to go from strength to strength and I was delighted to give out the prizes at the Royal Armoured Corps’ Championships last April. Sadly, I have spent most of the year broken having been hit by cars twice in the last 12 months. If I have a top tip it would have to be – always wear a helmet. It probably saved my life.
AEBS Is that a Javelin in your pocket...
  ‘Soldier scholar’? A lancer on academic placement.
 This year (September 17 – August 18) I
am on an academic placement at King’s
College London studying for a Master of Arts
in International Relations. This placement
is part of an initiative to create a cohort of
‘soldier scholars’ who can help inform de-
bate within the Army. Unsurprisingly, I am
immensely enjoying the opportunity of re-
immersing myself in the world of academia,
but my re-assimilation into the student fold
has not been without difficulties. Attempt-
ing to fit in with my millennial colleagues
has been particularly fraught. My hopes were
raised at the Freshers’ Fair when a fellow stu-
dent asked whether we could swap contact
details, but what I thought was going to be an
exchange of phone numbers turned out to be
an offer to exchange Instagram details. Lesson one, get an In- stagram account. Further attempts at fraternisation during the early lectures seemed to be hampered by my insistence
on wearing a jacket and tie. Lesson two, if you dress like a lecturer, expect fellow students to treat you like a lecturer. These initial teething problems aside, I have benefited greatly from the range and breadth of views held by such a diverse student community. It is particu- larly refreshing to have many of the precon- ceptions I have picked up while in the Army challenged on a regular basis.
What does the Army get in return, I hear you ask? Personal development aside, my disser- tation will seek to critically analyse how the Army approaches transformation with a focus on the ‘Strike’ concept as a driver for change. I would greatly value any insights that fellow lancers may have and I am equally keen to
hear from anyone interested in pursuing an academic place-
ment in the future – I wait with bated breath.
EGAS





































































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