The seven day diving expedition was based in Marsa Nakari, Egypt. We were a group of ten personnel which included regular, reserve and civilian SADS from Harrogate. The expedition ranged in ability from novice diver undertaking the BSAC Ocean Diver qualification to Open Water Instructor trainers. The main objective of this exercise was to qualify […]
Ex Dragon Jerboa Plunge – HQ 7 Inf Bde and 3 PWRR Read More »
In 2015, the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training Center (JSASTC), organised the “Exercise Transglobe”. This exercise is one with tremendous military tradition, which happens every five years. A group of UK forces personnel take parts on legs of a trans- global trip on the two 72ft yachts. I was lucky enough to be selected to
Ex Transglobe 2015 – University of London OTC Read More »
With the messages from the Speech Day still ringing in our ears, we headed north, to Halton Camp on the banks of the River Lune. Those essential characteristics of resilience, self-reliance and self-confidence would certainly be tested in this week, the aim of the week was to develop a solid nucleus of junior leaders within
Wrekin Cathedral Challenge 2015 – Wrekin College CCF Read More »
The overall aim of this overseas expedition was not only to teach the Cadets and Staff about adventurous training but also to teach them life skills in adapting to change within a new environment, teamwork and leadership. The Cadets were aged between 15 and 18 and both Cadets and Staff were from Cumbria and Lancashire
Pyrenees Adventure 2015 – Cumbria and Lancashire Wing ATC Read More »
Exercise Rolling Eagle saw a team of three officer cadets from Exeter University Officer Training Corps embark upon a trans-continental cycling challenge, crossing North America from Seattle, Washington, to New York City. The expedition aimed to improve the organisational, planning and leadership skills of those involved, in addition to presenting a physical and mental challenge
Ex Rolling Eagle – Exeter University Officer Training Corps Read More »
After a relatively comfortable, sleepless eight-hour flight from RAF Brize Norton, the plane finally touched down on the Ascension Island and we emerged from the cabin into the bright and humid South Atlantic air. Our 12-strong party, comprising Army, Air Force and (retd) Navy personnel had been brought together to conduct overseas Adventurous Training (AT)
Ex Ascension Serpent – 208 Field Hospital Read More »
As part of its role Exeter UOTC is tasked with organising high quality and demanding Adventurous Training for the Cadets. This should deliver foundation qualifications but also give the Cadets exposure to just how demanding AT can be and how it can be used to develop personal qualities and teamwork. The Dolomite mountains of northern
Ex Falzarego Tiger – Exeter University Officer Training Corps Read More »
At Sheffield University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) we run an annual adventure training expedition for the cadets and subalterns reaching the end of their third and final year of OTC. This is the culmination of all their training and development and a ‘last hurrah’ before they embark on civilian and reservist careers or set off
Ex Northern Cutlers’ Climb – Sheffield University Officer Training Corps Read More »
On the 16 May 15 selected members from all three squadrons of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment left the UK for Marrakech, Morocco. The aim of this exercise was to introduce us to the activity of mountaineering, by giving us the Summer Mountain Foundation course, and what better place to have this experience than in
Ex Dragon Toubkal – 1st Military Working Dog Regiment Read More »
On 1 June 2015 a group of 14 intrepid adventurists left the UK bound for the high mountains of the Bolivian Altiplano. Flying via Miami we eventually touched down in La Paz (4000m) after around 15 hours in the air. This Army Mountaineering Association (AMA) Expedition had an ambitious plan to scale a number of
Ex Altiplano Tiger – Army Mountaineering Association Read More »
Early on 11th August, 17 cadets from Oakham School CCF departed on an expedition which was to combine an appreciation of two battlefield sites from the Peninsular Campaign with a challenging trek across the Sierra de Gredos mountains of central Spain. The journey took in a 24-hour ferry crossing between Portsmouth and Santander which provided
Expedition Peninsular Cadet – Oakham School Combined Cadet Force Read More »
Two days after the end of a busy year 14 cadets and 3 staff from Bromsgrove School Combined Cadet Force embarked on a three week expedition of a lifetime to some of the remotest areas of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The aim of the expedition was to give the cadets an opportunity to develop self-reliance
Exercise Zulu Kingdom – Bromsgrove School Combined Cadet Force Read More »
“Oh, I could never do that…I can’t even bear to put my face underwater.” Curious to know who had commented on Justin Maker’s near perfect forward roll into the blue waters of the Mediterranean, I turned round to see a middle-aged British tourist sitting with two of her friends on the sun-baked concrete quayside beside
Ex Submerged Battlefield (Dragon) – Army Training Unit (West Midlands) Read More »
A team of 12 Air Cadets and 3 staff from 234 (City of Durham) Squadron have returned from the challenge of a lifetime, trekking in the French Pyrenees and summiting the mighty Pic du Canigou. It had taken 15 months of planning, fundraising and training, so when the Cadets arrived at the airport, the excitement
Pyrenees Trekking Expedition 2015 – 234 (City of Durham) Sqn ATC Read More »
After a brisk walk to the boarding gate, 16 members of Bristol University Officer Training Corps and 4 external instructors were en route to Sharm El Sheikh, with complimentary extra legroom to boot. Upon arrival in Egypt we were greeted with warmth from both the local climate and the lively tourist guide who would be
Exercise Cabot Coral – Bristol University Officer Training Corps Read More »
The aim of Exercise DRAGON CORSE was for members of 203 Fd Hosp to complete the northern half of the GR20 high altitude route in Corsica. Putting 16 Officer’s and Soldiers under pressure while conducting arduous physical and mental adventurous training and develop leadership outside of their normal comfort zones. The biggest challenge on this
Exercise Dragon Corse – 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital Read More »
Exercise Northern Alpinista consisted of a two week mountaineering expedition to the Benasque valley region within the Spanish Pyrenees. The expedition took place during July 2015 and was supported by 15 Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Leeds University Officers Training Corps and Regular and Reserve Forces instructors and staff. The location was chosen for its appeal
Exercise Northern Alpinista – Leeds University Officers’ Training Corps Read More »
Gale force winds, rough seas and seven days spent almost entirely within the confines of the 72 foot ketch, Alba Venturer, set the scene for the West Coast Challenge Sailing Expedition 2015. Eleven cadets from across the UK together with two adult staff joined the OYT Scotland crew to sail out of Oban for a
OYT West Coast Challenge – Headquarters Air Cadets Read More »
