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Snowdagger 2025

Ex SNOWDAGGER was a weeklong Exercise in March 2025 to Rjuken, Norway, for Support Force personnel experiencing all things cold weather. From Nordic and Alpine Skiing to marine style winter survival, mountaineering and ice climbing. The team also took time to experience the military history of the area, learning about the “Heroes of Telemark and […]

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Coach Development 2025

In a bid to enhance the capabilities of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets Adventure Training Support team, Exercise Coach Development 2025 was launched. This expedition aimed to support a team member in completing a series of assessments by a Paddles Up Training National Trainer, enabling them to deliver the British Canoeing Awarding Body Coach

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Cadet & Reservist Expeditions: Shaping Environmental Champions

Our expeditions do more than build resilience—they inspire action for our planet. By embracing eco-friendly travel, zero-waste practices, and hands-on conservation, cadets and reservists gain firsthand insight into climate change and environmental protection. These adventures foster leadership, deepen appreciation for nature, and spark lasting commitment to preserving our world’s precious resources. The evidence from our

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The Impact and Value of School Based Cadet Forces in the UK

A new report has revealed what many in the world of adventurous training already know—experiences like those offered through cadet forces can be life-changing for young people. According to The Impact and Value of School-based Cadet Forces in the UK, published by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with the University of Northampton, joining a

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Venturer Stag XXVI 2025

Introduction: The Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadet Force conducted its biennial Norway Winter Exercise/Exchange with HV02 District Oslo and Akershus at Haslemoen Training Camp (Innlandet, Norway) over 14th to 23rd Feb 2025 with 10 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV) and 29 Cadets (15 – 17yrs). Aim: The primary aim for running the exchange is

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Cockney Glide 2025

Exercise COCKNEY GLIDE was an Army paragliding expedition to Andalucia, Spain, undertaken in early March 25. The expedition was based in Algodonales, a historic hill town, perched on the edge of the Sierra Grazalema national park. Six hundred metres above the town towers the Sierra Lijar – a superb paragliding mountain that enables flying in

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Cadet EMU Highland 2025

Ex CADET HIGHLAND EMU 25 was a Winter Mountaineering exercise conducted from Kinlochleven Training Centre in the Scottish Highlands at the beginning of January 2025.  The exercise delivered the five-day Winter Mountaineering Foundation (WMF) course to 14 Officer Cadets and offered continuation training for the six participating instructors.  The exercise was initially aimed at East

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When Life Gives you Lemons – The Power of Failure

Online Talk – Monday 12th May 2025 In celebration of World Mental Health Week, Speakers for Schools in partnership with The Ulysses Trust hosted an inspiring talk with Sally Orange MBE—former British Army Major, multi-record-breaking adventure athlete, and passionate mental health advocate. From running marathons on every continent to cycling the length of Britain dressed

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Venturer Snow Finn 25 2025

Expedition ‘Venturer Snow Finn 2025’ was an unforgettable experience for all involved, designed to challenge participants both physically and mentally while building key skills such as resilience, teamwork, and leadership. The trip took place in the stunning snow-covered mountains of Italy, providing cadets with the opportunity to learn and develop skiing abilities in a completely new

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Canary Ubique 2024

100 Regt RA undertook an overseas AT offshore sail training expedition in the Canary Islands, Ex CANARY UBIQUE (Ex CU) Leg 7, between Sun 29 Dec 24 – Sun 12 Jan 25, involving 12 personnel, of whom 9 were Army Reservists. The expedition took place on St Barbara V, a 42-foot Rustler ocean-going yacht provided

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Dragon Iberian Leap 2025

Day 1: Monday 10 Feb: The group set off for Netheravon from Merville Barracks, with a 164-mile journey ahead. Despite the M25 traffic, the group arrived and immediately began ground training for skydiving. The instructors began with teaching safety procedures, equipment handling, and body positioning for the freefall. They covered everything from how to inspect

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Monty Merger 25

Exercise MONTY MERGER 25 (MM25) was Headquarters Home Command and Standing Joint Command (UK)’s annual skiing Adventurous Training (AT) expedition in Mayrhofen, Austria. With access to an extensive range of pistes across several valleys, the location was ideal for catering for all abilities, from ‘bambies’ to aspiring instructors. Over the fortnight-long expedition, 45 students deployed,

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Ocean Venture 2024

Ten RAF Air Cadets accompanied by two Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers embarked on a seven day sailing voyage during the summer around the Western Isles of Scotland from Oban to Greenock organised and staffed by the Ocean Youth Trust. Narratives from some of the cadet participants are recounted below. OYT Ulysses trust boat trip IntroductionAs

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Terrius Yatra 2024

Members of 3 Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion travelled to Nepal to tackle the rugged and remote terrain of the Limi Valley and to learn more about the communities, culture and heritage of our Gurkha colleagues. Exercise TERTIUS YATRA 2024 took place from 11-29 November 2024, comprising 13 personnel from 3 MI Battalion, plus a Mountain

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Camino 24

“I want to come back and do it all” Cadet Sergeant H B. On Friday 1 November 2024 twelve cadets and support staff from Cumbria & Lancashire Wing RAF Air Cadets completed a five day Spanish expedition on the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. They trekked the 115km from Sarria to the cathedral in Santiago

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1 Coy ACS 1 and 2 Star, Bronze DofE and Silver Practice Exped 2024

Introduction: In September, No. 1 (Minden) Company of Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force embarked on training and expeditions for Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Army Cadet Syllabus at Dunham Massey Scout Camp in Cheshire. This two-day, two-night adventure saw the participation of over 60 cadets, marking a significant milestone in their training

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Winter 2024 Newsletter

The latest edition of our newsletter is out now. This edition is introduced by our CEO, Polly Marsh and includes reports from reservist, officer cadet and cadet expeditions as follows: Exercise Report: Kelly Offshore 2024 – Twelve cadets from Hebburn Sea Cadets and RMCD braved the waves to set sail aboard the James Cook to

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Unleashing the Power of Adventure: How Outdoor Activities Boost Well-Being

In a world where digital screens dominate daily life, a compelling research paper, “Conceptualising the Power of Outdoor Adventure Activities for Subjective Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review,” offers an invigorating reminder of the transformative power of nature and adventure. This study synthesizes a wealth of research to explore how outdoor adventure activities—think hiking, rock climbing,

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Cadet Offshore 2024

In a remarkable display of teamwork and maritime skills, ten teenagers from East Kilbride Sea Cadets recently embarked on an exhilarating yacht trip that took them across the Clyde Estuary to the scenic Holy Isle and the charming town of Campbeltown in Scotland. This trip was more than just a sailing expedition; it was an

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The Benefits of Adventure for Children

Here’s an extremely useful report entitled: The Benefits of Adventure for Children: A Summary of the Evidence – which has been produced for the Adventure Mind – a collaboration of individuals and organisations including outdoor leaders, researchers, health practitioners, universities, adventure charities and companies. The authors of the report include Ulysses Trust Advisory Officers: Prof.

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Wyvern Atlas 2024

2023 was supposed to be the year our mountaineering Exped to the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains came to fruition, however fate as always was yet to play its hand and a week from deployment Morocco was hit with a terrible earthquake causing the sad loss of thousands of lives. It was therefore decided to shift

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Alps Crusade 2024

“Each day really pushed us out of our comfort zones, whether we were trying to handle tough descents or just grinding through steep climbs. But honestly, the feeling after finishing each one was so worth it. It wasn’t just about getting better at mountain biking—we learned how to stick together, keep everyone’s spirits up, and,

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Adriatic Lion 2024

Exercise ADRIATIC LION was the University of Birmingham Air Squadron (UBAS) and the East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron’s (ESUAS) most recent international adventurous training sailing expedition to the Adriatic Sea, Croatia. Over the course of one week, 16 students from UBAS and ESUAS, as well as one day skipper from Bristol University Air Squadron

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Leviathan 2024

Exercise Leviathan 2024 is an annual adventurous training exercise for CCF Army units within Inner London, organised in conjunction with the Tall Ships Youth Trust.  Our aim is to provide army section cadets with a new and challenging opportunity that they would not normally have access to, promote inter-services careers and achieve a Gold Duke

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Bear Escape 2024

Introduction Between the 29th June 2024 and the 18th of July 2024, 13 students and 2 staff members from Liverpool University Air Squadron and Manchester and Salford University Air Squadron took part in a bikepacking expedition around the north end of Vancouver Island, tackling mountainous terrain amid an Island heatwave. Students were attempting to complete

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Royal Venturer 2024

In July 2024, 94 personnel from Reading School CCF and supporting units undertook an incredible annual camp in Gibraltar. The camp was a once in a lifetime opportunity for cadets to experience training in a completely different environment to the UK and the week was packed full of activities including Adventure Training, Fieldcraft, Ranges, Tri-Service

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Wyvern Odyssey 2024

Exercise Wyvern Odyssey consisted of two individual Adventure Training exercises Exercise Wyvern Splash and Wyvern Granite, these exercises took place concurrently in the Southwest of England over the latter part of this Summer. Due to the formation of Southwest Officer Training Regiment (SWOTR) these exercises allowed OCdts from what was previously Bristol and Exeter OTCs

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Royal Freefall 24 2024

On Friday 20th September, 14 Cadets and 2 staff from The Royal School, Wolverhampton CCF travelled to the Army Parachute Association, Netheravon to undertake a static line parachute course. This was a fantastic experience, with many valuable lessons learnt. The cadets spent 8 hours completing a ground training course, focusing on controlling their descent and

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Badlands 24 2024

In the heart of Spain, a grueling gravel bike race known as Badlands pushed eight army personnel from both regular and reserve forces to their absolute limits. This challenging expedition, designed to test individuals in new and demanding ways, saw participants traverse a staggering 780-mile route through some of the most remote and breath-taking landscapes

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NUAS Atlas 2024

In late August, 12 members from the Bristol and Northumbrian University Air Squadrons took part in a high altitude 2-week trekking expedition in the Moroccan High Altas Mountains with the “1ER Batallion de Chasseurs de L’Altlas Force Armees Royales”. The aim of the expedition was to expose us to a challenging and unfamiliar environment where

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Cockney Bandana 2024

With the support of the Ulysses Trust, 100 (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery embarked on an epic mountaineering adventure – trekking the Grande Randonnee’ 20 (GR20) from the South to the North of the Mediterranean island of Corsica, starting in Conca and finishing some 16 days later in Calenzana. The GR20 is widely regarded as one

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Parachuting 2024

On August 28th, 2024, eight young cadets, aged 16 and 17, from the Wallisdown, Bournemouth, and Poole Detachments of the Dorset Army Cadet Force embarked on a journey they would never forget. Their adventure? A daring leap of faith into the world of skydiving. The journey began at 6 PM on a Friday evening, with

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Kelly Offshore 2024

It was an unforgettable journey for twelve young individuals who had the chance to embark on a life-changing expedition aboard the James Cook with the Ocean Youth Trust, thanks to the generous support of the Ulysses Trust. Coming from diverse backgrounds, including those in the local authority care system, these young people had the opportunity

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4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment Presented with Best Expedition Award

The first of our prestigious Expedition Awards was presented by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Johanna Ropner (pictured right) on Thursday 3 October 2024. The Trust’s Expedition Awards highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The latest awards were selected from the 88 cadet and reservist expeditions supported by The Ulysses

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Speakers for Schools: Adventures in Resilience: A Journey to Mental Well-Being

Ulysses Trust ambassador Jordan Wylie MBE delivered a talk to the Speakers for Schools network entitled: Adventures in Resilience: A Journey to Mental Well-Being on Thursday 10th October 2024 – World Mental Health Day. Jordan is an award-winning adventurer, international bestselling author and one of the stars of channel 4’s BAFTA nominated shows “Hunted” and

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Slim Dragon Viking 2024

From the 09-23 AUG 24, 12 Officer Cadets (OCdts), accompanied by 2 staff members from Birmingham University Officers Training Corps, prepared themselves to embark on a two-week canoeing expedition on the Harkan river system, Sweden. They planned to canoe 120km from Valsjöbyn to Lit where they’d be wild camping each night and complete their O2F

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Sailing 2024

The 10 male cadets and 2 Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers met excitedly at our unit ready to load the two vehicles which were to transport them to Heybridge in Essex to board the Blue Mermaid sailing barge on the River Blackwater. Blue Mermaid is the first full size Thames Sailing Barge to be built since

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Yr Wydffa’s Leap 2024

In July, a group of cadets from Q3 Academy CCF travelled to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park for their adventurous training summer camp package. The themes for the camp were:Physical and mental challenge; Resilience; Teamwork; Leadership; Communication Stepping off the coach in Nant Gwynant, cadets were immediately met with their first challenge, a 1 mile walk

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Tiree Tiger 2024

Expedition Tiree Tiger was planned as an expedition with a difference – an expedition not only to explore and experience a remote island in the Inner Hebrides but also an opportunity to make a positive impact on its environment and community. Tiree, 165 miles from Glasgow and a four-hour ferry ride from Oban, was the

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Dragon Slim Lakes 2024

For nine exciting, action-packed days in mid July, Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Birmingham Universities Officers Training Corps (UOTC) and a member of Oxford UOTC were given the opportunity to further their skills in rock climbing, mountaineering and kayaking. Ex DRAGON SLIM LAKES allowed participants to aim for and achieve foundation qualifications in AT, as well

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Dolomiti 2024

During the period 14-23 July 2024 a team of 21 cadets and 8 staff from Derbyshire Sector in Trent Wing headed out to the Dolomites Region of Italy. After a year of planning and UK based training, the team assembled at Manchester Airport to fly out to Venice Marco Polo Airport and then collected their

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Thames Paddle 24

During the weekend of 02-04 Aug 2024 some 15 cadets with 4 supporting staff descended on the Thames in Oxford at the watersports facility owned by Cokethorpe School (where one of the accompanying RAFAC staff runs a Summer Paddlesport Scheme over the school holidays). The activity was aimed at newer cadets who have not started

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Cadet Parachuting 2024

Aim: To provide an otherwise unobtainable opportunity for cadets to experience parachuting and to develop their self-confidence within an adventurous setting. “An example of determination to achieve a goal” Over the weekend of 8th – 10th March 2024, 16 cadets arrived at Netheravon Airfield home to the Army Parachuting Association, to conduct training for a

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Pellew Splash 24-00 2024

Devon Army Cadets have spent the past three weeks experiencing different levels of sailing on the Boleh Trust Sailing boat. This initiative started with an unforgettable five-day journey from Gosport traversing the challenging waters of the English Channel. Once docked in Portland, the sailing boat then held five, one-day expeditions giving different cadets, each day

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Tudor Tiger 2024

Adventure, Challenge, and Growth in the Welsh Wilderness Eighteen cadets and adult volunteers from the Royal Grammar School Guildford Combined Cadet Force embarked on an extraordinary journey this summer as part of Exercise Tudor Tiger 2024. This dynamic adventure took them deep into the heart of Wales, where they faced a series of exhilarating challenges

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Case Study: 3RWelsh

3RWelsh is the sole reserve infantry unit in Wales, distinguishing itself from other reserve units that focus on medical, signalling, logistics, or armoured operations. Adventure Training (AT) plays a pivotal role within the battalion, offering exceptional opportunities for leadership development, team building, and personal growth. This report delves into the profound impact of AT on

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Developing Resilient Youth through Outdoor Adventure

The impact of expedition experiences on young people and how these formative adventures shape their adult lives is a topic that invites deep exploration. In this analysis, Mike Blakey, our Grant Applications Committee Manager, delves into the long-term effects of these expeditions. By reconnecting with former expedition cadets, he uncovers surprising insights into how these

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Adventure as Therapy

Expeditions and challenging adventurous activities are good for the body and the mind. We explore the benefits of Adventurous Training (AT) for good mental health.  In an era where mental health concerns are increasingly prevalent, The Ulysses Trust offers an innovative and effective way to enhance well-being through adventurous expeditions. By supporting various challenging and

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Alpine Venture 2024

Ian, how do you fancy leading a Royal Air Force Mountaineering Association Alpine trip this summer? Of course, my answer was ‘yes’, even though I only had a few months to find other instructors, team members, gain approval and financial support. A lot had changed since I had left full-time Royal Air Force Service in

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Pangbourne Dragon 2024

From the 8th to 13th July, cadets from Pangbourne College and Denefield School attended an adventurous training expedition in North Wales. The cadets were based at Capel Curig Training Camp, ideally located for a full range of adventurous training activities, aimed at providing the cadets opportunities to stretch and challenge themselves, and develop teamwork and

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Climbing Now 2024

Introduction: Between the 9th and 16th of June 2024, a team of 12 students and 2 instructors took part in a sport climbing expedition on the sun-kissed island of Mallorca in the Western Mediterranean. By the end of the trip all students had become competent with the fundamentals of sport climbing outdoors. Background: A highly

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Skimo Warrior 2024

Exercise SKIMO WARRIOR in April this year was the final exercise to prepare the UK Armed Forces Team to compete in the Patrouille des Glaciers (PdG). The PdG is the most prestigious ski mountaineering (skimo) race, with 4,386m of ascent over 58km from Zermatt to Verbier. Teams compete in patrols of three, racing through the

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Summer 2024 Newsletter

The latest edition of our newsletter is out now. This edition is introduced by our CEO, Polly Marsh and includes reports from reservist, officer cadet and cadet expeditions as follows: Exercise report: Dragon Telemark Blue 2024. Officer Cadets from Cambridge University Officers’ Training Corps embarked on an adventurous expedition to the Hardangervidda plateau in Norway.

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Alpine Adventure 2024

Alpine Adventure 2024 Expedition Report (Ulysses Trust Application ID 3145)  During the February school half term, 45 RAF Air Cadets and 14 volunteer staff from across the South of England travelled to Germany. They participated in an expedition that was to see them undertake a full six-day programme of ski training and skiing at two

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Phoenix 2024

The Netherhaven Skydiving expedition, funded by the Ulysses Trust, aimed to provide a thrilling skydiving experience for our cadets. This report highlights the unexpected turn of events that led to a change in plans and the impact on the participants. The cadets were prepared for a static line jump from 3000 feet, ready to conquer

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DofE 2024

Over the Bank Holiday Weekend of 03-06 May 2024 nearly 100 staff and cadets from the Derbyshire Sector of Trent Wing assembled at Barn Farm in Birchover for their annual DofE Expedition Weekend, again made possible due to the kind sponsorship of the Ulysses Trust and RAF Charitable Trust. This year was somewhat different in

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Snjor Mountaineer 2024

Ex Snjor Mountaineer was the Army Mountaineering Association’s recent flagship ski mountaineering expedition to Iceland, which aimed to prepare for and then summit Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur – a feat that had not previously been achieved by a British Military team. WO2 Ross Penver, the Exped leader, aimed for the Expedition “to expose a group

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CE 24

While most university students were at home for the Easter Recess, 12 ULOTC OCdts embarked on a 2-week Offshore Sailing Adventurous Training exercise in The Caribbean Archipelago. With a single weekend earlier in the month acting as a preparatory training phase, this was the first true taste of sailing for 5 of the OCdts, and

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French parachuting course at ETAP 2024

Introduction: The focus of the exercise was for five members of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) to attend and complete the rigorous static-line parachuting training course at the Centre École des Troupes Aéroportées (ETAP) and thereby earn their ‘French Wings’. Over two weeks, participants underwent intensive physical and theoretical training alongside 125 troops from

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Daring to explore: Speakers for Schools – 15th July 2024

Ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery? Don’t miss this broadcast with world-renowned explorer, writer, & photographer, Levison Wood. Known for his epic expeditions across the globe, like walking the length of the Nile and trekking through the Himalayas, Levison will share his incredible stories & insights into the transformative power of challenge &

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