Issue 87 - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

Liverpool University
OTC
»
the shore to lessen the strain on the sails while
the boats remained at a 45 degree angle; each
crew clinging to the guard rail on the highest
side shivering and, surprisingly, still singing.
Tuesday was more of the same and worse as
gusts grew to force nine testing teamwork,
physical ability and mental stamina if effective
adventurous training. The teams managed
to retain their high spirits in the challenge of
the exercise and rotation of the roles meant
all were competent on deck, even in harsh
conditions. Tensions naturally remained high
as effective sailing meant not only a good
finishing place in the race but the safety of the
crew. Many were mentally reciting their man
overboard drills as they clipped their lifelines
on to the Jackstay and crawled around the
foredeck.
By the time the fleet arrived back in Kiel on
Wednesday afternoon, the participating UOTC
members had learnt much more than just how
to sail. Effective communication, patience,
teamwork, initiative, thorough execution of
instructions, problem solving and the ability
to remain composed through tense and
dangerous situations were all skills acquired
and polished through the course of the week.
Mentally and physically exhausted,. This trip
would not have been possible with the help
from the Ulysses Trust, The Reserve Forces and
Cadets Association and the 42 (NW) Brigade
Commanders Fund.
LUOTC Summer Camp
by OCdt Katie Bristow
It was July, and after a painfully long 24 hour
coach trip from Liverpool we finally arrived
in Hameln, Germany, at the 28 Engineer
Regiment’s barracks to commence our annual
camp of 2011.
We lethargically got through the first day,
some grouchier than others, yet everyone
seemed to liven up for a night in the mess!
The following day resumed in the usual
officer cadet fashion; even after a heavy night
before we all bounced to breakfast fresh as
daisies.
Getting, at first unwillingly, back onto a
coach, we put things into perspective as we
headed for an educational visit to Bergen
Belsen concentration camp. Before we left Lt
Col Ovey led us all in a two minute silence.
An afternoon was given to us to prepare
ourselves for deploying into the training area
for two days on the ranges and then a three
day exercise. We were greeted on the ranges
with glorious weather and everyone benefitted
greatly from the practice.
As we prepared to leave the ranges and head
out into the exercise area we made a thorough
change over from live to blank ammunition.
After loading our bergens onto the Pantec
we tabbed in platoons to the HLS where the
Chinooks would collect us to be deployed to our
exercise area.
After the Chinooks landed we proceeded
tactically straight into the exercise. A long
tab with full kit after a long day in the heat
saw a number of Officer Cadets struck down
with heat exhaustion. We were briefed on our
scenario by our platoon commanders once
in our harbour areas. The evening back from
the field was also the last night for the third
year students of Lancaster University as they
headed back to graduate.
The following day was a cultural day out in
Hameln; it was nice to be able to see the sights
of where we were staying and try a few local
beers!
Sports were on the menu the following
morning and later that day we split into our
separate groups for the Adventure Training
phase of camp. Two groups headed for a
week of sailing and wind surfing at either
Dummersee or Mohnesee and a third group
headed into the mountains for hiking and rock
climbing.
The week was very enjoyable in Dummersee.
We started the next day splitting into groups
to rotate between sailing, wind surfing, cycling
and water volley ball.
On the last night we returned to Hameln
and heard all about the fun the other groups
had.
All in all, Summer Camp was a huge success!
We worked hard and played hard and both
the military phase and the adventure training
phase were effective and enjoyable!
‘P’ Company Challenge
By OCdts james McGovern & mike Lewis
Sunday, September 11th, a groggy group
of officer cadets wake up at 5:30hrs for an
early and gruesome start to the day. Normal
people would be collecting their milk
delivery from their front door but no, not
these guys, these guys were packing 35lbs
of weight into a Bergen for the 10 mile ‘P’
Company Challenge.
With the sound of a 105mm light gun
firing, marking the start of the event, 12
officer cadets crossed the start line for what
would turn out to be the longest 2 hours of
their lives (or 1 hour 32 minutes in the case of
OCdt Tyrell Moore).
The deafening boom of the gun brought
with it the sickening realisation of the
gravity of the task ahead. The early stages of
the race looked like an exodus, with
an endless line of men and women
laden with heavy rucksacks, snaking
as far as the eye can see. All on the
same mission for personal and peer
respect. Although hard, the one thing
guaranteed to keep you going is the
sight of effort and mental toughness
being displayed by the individuals
around you. The sight of bergens that seem
to outweigh their owners, and even one man
in a wheelchair negotiating the rocky slopes.
Every sweat-soaked grimace eggs you on.
After ‘attacking’ some of Catterick’s
notorious hills, wading through murky
waters up to your waist and battling the
onset of cramp, you catch a glimpse of the
finish line. Spectators shouting “500 meters,
400 meters, 300 meters!” you finally get
the second wind that everyone promised
would come. Ignore your cramp. Forget your
blisters, and 100m from the finish, regain
the ability to sprint to cross the line and
claim your Para 10 medal, a hand shake from
Matt Baker and the overwhelming sense of
accomplishment.
52 the volunteer www.nwrfca.org.uk