EX DRAGON DEVIL was a 13-day trip involving 13 young OCdt’s in the Scottish Highlands. It not only allowed its participants to develop their outdoor experience, but also allowed them to gain their Summer Mountain Foundation qualification while creating lifelong friendships. Participants were challenged daily by covering distances of up to 30km per day, while also carrying all necessary supplies. We set out with the aim of developing ourselves personally, but also developing our resilience and leadership skills, which was undoubtedly achieved through our Summer Mountain Foundation qualification. The team were assisted and overseen throughout the expedition by two fantastic instructors who delivered the Mountain Foundation training in a safe and engaging manner. Participants completed the West Highland Way which is a 96-mile trail spanning the Scottish Highlands before finishing the expedition by climbing Ben Nevis: Britain’s highest peak!
From the beginning of the expedition, participants faced an obvious challenge: COVID! There were many occasions where it seemed as though the trip may have to be cancelled due to rapidly changing rules and regulations, not to mention the fact that COVID-19 regulations were entirely different in Scotland. Despite this, the trip was able to go ahead and it was a nice return to normality as most participants had not been able to partake in any in-person training with the OTC.
Another challenge for the trip was the variety of fitness levels and difference in outdoor experience of all participants; some people were more used to walking long distances than others, some were not used to walking with weight and some had never even been camping before so a two-week camping trip was a baptism of fire! I can wholeheartedly say that every member of the trip rose to the challenge and we made excellent progress every day as a team.
For most people, it was welcome to in a manner of speaking ‘get off grid’. Not only did we camp every night of the expedition, but there were inevitably times where we did not have access to power or signal that would enable us to use mobile devices. In my opinion this allowed to bond more as a team and I consider this a massive benefit from the trip as we are all guilty of being glued to technology too much whether it be from online learning or just quarantine boredom!
If you asked any attendee one of the things they enjoyed the most about the trip, I have no doubt that they would say our fantastic instructors. Colour Sergeant Harvey and WO1 Gurung went above and beyond in their deliverance of the Summer Mountain Foundation course and their presence helped make the trip as enjoyable as it was. As such, I believe that for many participants, this opportunity has influenced their perspective of British Army staff in a very positive light.
Overall, the expedition had an extremely positive impact on each and every participant. Not only did it allow some to push beyond their comfort zone and test their fitness levels, it also allowed its members to see the very best of what the army can offer. Despite long days, a few days of poor weather, a few days of scorching weather, morale was always high and people were always enthusiastic and ready to face the day ahead. Crucially, the trip allowed us to not only learn new skills, but to also build on those skills we have already learnt from our time at EMUOTC such as map reading as all members took turns navigating for the over the course of the expedition. All 13 OCdts on EX DRAGON DEVIL are extremely grateful to the Ulysses Trust for helping them access this opportunity and see what a life in the armed forces could potentially offer us. In turn, several trip members have stated their interest in planning another expedition for the younger members of the unit next summer, meaning that we will be able to pass on the personal development and benefits we have gained from this trip onto others – and we couldn’t recommend it enough!
Quote from OCdt Cole: “I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy the trip as I did not have much prior outdoor or walking experience, however I can wholeheartedly say that the expedition taught me how much I enjoy pushing myself and being in a strong team environment. I feel like I benefitted massively from the trip, not only personally, but also as a leader and I now feel more confident entering my third year at OTC. My experience of AT was limited as the expedition I was due to attend last year was cancelled due to COVID-19, so I feel indebted to the Ulysses Trust for allowing myself and the team this opportunity to develop in the type of environment we all thrive in as well as allowing me to see the types of benefits a career in the army could bring me. Also, this trip and the Summer Mountain Foundation qualification we achieved will allow us all to progress onto further qualifications, such as our Winter Mountain Foundation!”
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