uotc

Southampton University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) embarked on an exhilarating and challenging three-day adventurous training expedition 22-25 Jul 25 in the stunning landscapes of Brecon, Wales. This deployment, known as Exercise Solent Warrior, was designed to test the physical endurance, mental resilience, and teamwork of Officer Cadets (OCdts) through a series of outdoor activities. The […]

On the 25th of January 2026, 10 Officer Cadets and staff from the North West Officer Training Regiment were lucky enough to embark on a two-week sailing trip around the Canary Islands, all gaining their Competent Crew certificates and learning how to live and work aboard a 55-foot yacht. A very early start on the

Ex CADET RJUKAN EMU was a winter adventurous training package conducted in the Telemark region of Norway at the beginning of January 2026. The exercise delivered the Winter Climbing Foundation (WCF) course and Ski Touring Continuation Training to six Officer Cadets from East Midlands Universities’ Officer Training Corps. Ex CADET RJUKAN EMU was an exceptionally

Ex CADET WINTER EMU was a Winter Mountaineering exercise conducted predominantly from the Dundonnell AT Hut in the Scottish Highlands in December 2025. The exercise delivered the five-day Winter Mountaineering Foundation (WMF) course to 22 Officer Cadets as well as some additional days of continuation training. The exercise was initially aimed at East Midlands Universities’

In September 2025, 54 Officer Cadets from six University Air Squadrons embarked on a long-running expedition to the wilderness of northern Sweden. Divided into three groups of around 18, the students each spent a week canoeing down a 60km stretch of the Harkan River in Jämtland County. This trip aimed to build resilience, teamwork and

I spent the week kayaking with a Civilian instructor who was very knowledgeable and helped me gain a foundation course. I also attended two multi-activity days, where you could choose what you did that day. I chose hill walking to build up my experience and log more hill days, which is an important step towards

This year as part of the SWOTR, I had the opportunity to take part in two adventure training exercises that introduced me to kayaking and further go on to complete a sea kayak safety and rescue course. In early summer I travelled to north Scotland for a week of sea kayaking. This was my first

Over the last four years, sea kayaking has become very popular within Exeter UOTC. Fortunately, we hold a small armada of sea kayaks and associated equipment and being based in Devon allows good access to some of the south-west top sea kayaking venues around the Devon and Cornwall coast. Making the most of our fortunate

In this article, OCdt Rosie Brown and OCdt Annabelle Vaughan describe the many challenges and lessons learnt from the South West OTR climbing and via ferrata trip to the Dolomites. Towards the end of the summer a group of 30 OCdts gathered in Wyvern barracks ready to begin Ex DELAGO COMICI. For some, 2 weeks

Ex HIGHLAND EXPRESS 25 was a ULOTC Offshore Sailing expedition delivered over nine days using JSASTC yachts based in Oban. Over the duration of the expedition, OCdts completed their RYA Competent Crew qualification, in a challenging environment, enjoying the unique geography that Scotland provides. This pushed them out of their comfort zone and testing their

In September, Southampton University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) departed on an adventurous training exercise in Tyrol, Austria. Our team conducted a hut-to-hut hiking expedition from the 8th to the 13th of September. We revisited the challenging Berlinner High Trail route. The expedition aimed to push us as officer cadets beyond our comfort zone and discover

On Monday September 8th, nine personnel from Birmingham UOTC set off for the Dolomites to participate in Ex Cadet Slim Gran Festa – a climbing expedition which allowed six Officer Cadets to successfully complete their rock climbing foundation qualification in the Dolomites. All of the participants gathered at our Army Reserve Centre (ARC) bright and

Between 23rd August and 2nd September, eight members of the Birmingham University Officers Training Corps, accompanied by their instructor, participated in a mountaineering expedition in Corsica, France. They navigated through the northern section of the GR20 route, regarded as being one of the toughest treks in Europe, with rocky ridges, wild scenery and high altitudes.

Ex CADET GLACIAL EMU was an East Midlands UOTC Adventurous Training expedition held in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland from 29th June to 12th July 2025. The exercise involved 12 participants—4 instructors and 8 Officer Cadets—and aimed to introduce the Officer Cadets to Adventurous Training while completing the Alpine Mountain Foundation (AMF) course. The

15 Officer Cadets from WUOTC recently visited Morzine in the French alps on a week-long mountain biking adventurous training package. Officer Cadets benefited from this trip by developing leadership skills, being pushed outside their comfort zone to develop resilience, improving their mountain biking ability and most importantly having fun on the trip. The group had a

This summer, 11 Officer Cadets from East Midlands UOTC took to the Ardeche River for a week of canoeing. Ex Cadet Paddle EMU provided a fun and exciting opportunity to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills, delivering the O2F canoe qualification. This successful expedition was made possible by the generous support of The Ulysses Trust. The

Between the 20th and 27th July 2025, 16 personnel, including 2 instructors, 2 SMF Continuation candidates and 12 students working towards their SMF qualification, took part in Exercise Slim Birds, a summer mountaineering expedition through Iceland’s renowned Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails. With over 75 km of hiking and significant elevation gain, the exercise pushed individuals

Ex CADET HIGHLAND SISTERS the recent Regimental Adventure Training (AT) expedition trekking the Affric Kintail Way (74 km) followed by day in the mountains of Kintail (10 km). The exercise aims were threefold, to provide Officer Cadets (OCdts) with an introduction to AT through a mountaineering expedition, deliver Summer Mountain Foundation (SMF) to novices and

EX BLUE LOBUCHE saw twelve Oxford UOTC OCdts deploy to Nepal 31 Mar-24 Apr 2025, five of whom summited Lobuche East (6119m) via an alpine climbing route. 31 Mar – 4 Apr 2025: Following a 60hr delay for fixed-wing flights into Lukla, and with no prospect of immediate improvement, the expedition used all the contingency

Ex COCKNEY SAILOR XLIV, XL and XLVI were three University of London Officer Training Corps (ULOTC) offshore sailing expeds run in the Solent across consecutive weekends. Each weekend involved 2 yachts with ULOTC officer cadets (OCdts) onboard sailing from Gosport into and around the Solent.One of the yachts was used to run an RYA Competent

Exercise Diary – OCdt BALGARNIEMonday: The first day of our exped was all about admin. Various members of the crew arrived in Gosport throughout the day. Despite this, OCdt Smeaton, our skipper, was busy taking over the vessel and organising various repairs to well-weathered equipment. Meanwhile, the crew were unpacking, bonding and preparing a delicious

Ex CS XLI, XLII and XLIII were 3 ULOTC Offshore Sailing expeditions run over the course of a weekend using a REYC chartered yacht from Gosport. Each weekend took 4 novice sailors out onto the water, exposing them to challenging AT and a very steep learning curve. The MEL repeated from weekend to weekend and

Ex COCKNEY SAILOR XL was a ULOTC Offshore Sailing exped delivered over a weekend, using an REYC yacht based in Gosport. This was our first weekend AT exped in a number of years and demonstrated the feasibility of pursuing similar opportunities in the future. These are cost effective opportunities to expose our OCdts to a

After a few years’ hiatus from overseas mountaineering expeditions, a small group of seven Officer Cadets (OCdts) and staff from London University Officer Training Corps (ULOTC) deployed to Italy for a Mountaineering Foundation Course. Italy was selected over domestic locations such as Wales or Scotland to take advantage of the unique Via Ferrata routes in

Students from Wales UOTC formed up in Maindy Barracks for the now annual mountain bike expedition to the French Alps. Bikes and kit loaded, we set out on the 24 hour drive to Le Biot, a small village near Morzine in the French Alps. Tired but excited on arrival we checked our kit for the

Over the summer, 8 OCdts (many of who’m were complete novices) set sail from Gosport to Cherbourg (France) and the Channel Islands. Over the the week the crew explored the remote Islands learning about the geography and history of each destination. The OCdts developed basic sailing skills, practicing drills such as gybing, tacking and man-overboard

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

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

Having left the cold, harsh conditions of our Annual Camp in Northern Ireland, officer cadets from Cambridge University Officers` Training Corp (CUOTC) prepared for the adventure of a lifetime in Chamonix colloquially known as “Chams” across the unit. This is one of the key Adventurous Training (AT) Expeditions the unit holds for which a tremendous

Voyage from Dunstaffnage to Loch Aline – 02/07/24 Up bright and early for a full Scottish breakfast to fuel us for a busy day ahead, we then made our way from Oban to Dunstaffnage Marina for handover. We took over ‘Pintail’, loaded our kit into the forepeak and picked out our oilies (all a few

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

After a hearty pre-exped dinner enjoyed whilst watching the 1965 ‘Heroes of Telemark’ starring Kirk Douglas, Second Lieutenants and three Officer Cadets set off from Cambridge ARC and headed for the Hardangervidda plateau, Norway, on 31 March 2024. Having explained our official NATO Travel Orders to a bleary-eyed French border officer, convincing him that we

I think this must have been Exeter UOTC 12th year of conducting adventure training in the Dolomites, for me my 7th with EUOTC and my 9th in total which amounts to 23 weeks in the Dolomites This is all thanks to my old mate Garry Mason who, back in 2015 as the second in command

In a challenging 6-day expedition along the river Harkan in Sweden, twelve members of Cambridge and London University Air Squadrons put their canoeing skills to the test, completing the foundational canoeing qualification and showcasing their survival abilities. Facing temperatures fluctuating between 0 to 12 degrees Celsius and occasional morning fog, the group embarked on a

In September, Southampton University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) departed on an adventurous training exercise in Tyrol, Austria. Our team conducted a hut-to-hut hiking expedition from the 11th to the 19th of September. We chose the challenging Berlina High Trail route. The expedition aimed to push us as officer cadets beyond our comfort zone and discover

From the 1st – 9th September 2023, 12 Officer Cadets from the Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC), alongside a Ranger from 2nd Royal Irish and 3 Instructors, embarked on Exercise Northern Julische Alpine II (Ex NJA II) – a mountaineering expedition across Triglav National Park, Slovenia. Following the success of a similar expedition the

At 3am on the 14th of August, 11 Officer Cadets & Staff from Cambridge UOTC left Cambridge Army Reserve Centre and headed for Ex DOLOMITES BLUE: a two-week rock climbing and via ferrata adventurous training expedition in the Italian Alps. We arrived at Dover in the early hours of Monday morning and landed in Calais

Exercise Dragon Czech Blue saw eight members of CUOTC embark on a climbing and via ferrata expedition to the north of the Czech Republic, embracing unfamiliar rock surfaces and pushing the boundaries of Army adventurous training, becoming the first climbing expedition to the Czech Republic. Indeed, AT has been a particularly prominent feature of the

Ex Sweden Dragon Blue Conducted during Cambridge OTCs jam-packed summer of AT expeditions, Ex Sweden Dragon Blue, organised by alumni Captain Loades-Bannon, along with WO2 Taylor and 7 Officer Cadets, embarked upon the challenge of completing a 245km segment of the infamous Kungsleden or “King’s Trail”. The first hurdle for us all was the 3-day

Following the completion of their challenging Annual Deployment Exercise (ADX), officer cadets from Cambridge UOTC left Cambridge Army Reserve Centre at 3am 9th July and headed for Ex CHAMONIX BLUE: a multi-sport, six-day adventurous training expedition in the French Alps. We arrived at Dover in the early hours of Sunday morning and landed in Calais

The aims of the expedition were to qualify 10 medically ratified personnel in the Regiment in the Summer Mountain Foundation course, and to enable 2 OCdts to gain 6 Quality Mountain Days, which can count towards their next qualification. It was a great success with all 10 participants achieving the qualification they were assessed at,

Over the summer 4 OCdts from ULOTC and 1 from GUOTC took part in Ex Highland Express 23, sailing through the Hebrides in Scotland. The crew sailed through stunning waters experiencing some challenging conditions that put their individual and combined skills to the test.  These OCdts, some of which were novices, developed their Offshore Sailing

Over the course of a week in August, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Scottish and Ulster Gunners) and Exeter Officers’ Training Corps deployed to the Shetland Islands on Ex Tammie Norrie, an Adventurous Training (AT) expedition. Over the seven days, the three groups aimed to achieve one of the following qualifications; Rock Climbing Foundation Course

“Teamwork is certainly put to the test when living, sleeping and working within 34 foot of each other for a week” OCdt Oliver Irons In September 2023 five officer cadets and a member of staff from Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC) embarked on Exercise Highland Express. This military adventure training exercise is an annual

On 10 August 2023 eleven members of East Midlands Universities Officer Trg Corps (EMUOTC) began their journey to Wales in order to experience 8 days of mountain biking. For some in the group, this was their first time mountain biking on technical terrain, while for others it provided an opportunity for them to hone their

After finishing their training year at EMUOTC a group of Officer Cadets conducted an Adventure Training expedition in Snowdonia where they conducted training in scrambling, single and multi-pitch climbing. AIM. The expedition’s aim was to train and introduce Officer Cadets to single and multi-pitch rock climbing, alongside scrambling. This aimed to enhance their mental and

OCdts from Birmingham University Officers’ Training Corps (BUOTC) have recently been undertaking a Single-Pitch Climbing foundation course in the Dolomites. Over 10 days, the group learnt the necessary skills to further develop their climbing repertoire, all within the scenic backdrop of the Italian Alps. Starting the week off as beginners, the OCdts were introduced to

From 8th to 17th August 2023, the North West Officer Training Regiment (NWOTR) embarked on Ex Northern Alpine, a klettersteig (Via-Ferrata) expedition in Bavaria. The Bavarian landscape, with its rugged terrain and spectacular vistas, set the stage for a new experience that blended physical challenges with personal growth for us. For many of us, it

Introduction: Ex WYVERN MIDGARD TRAVELLER provided the opportunity for individuals to participate in mountaineering and canoeing in the hills and fjords in the Setesdal Region of Norway as well as having the opportunity to attain a Summer Mountaineering Foundation (SMF) qualification and to deliver leadership and resilience training to OCdts and staff through a mixed

Over the course of two weeks in Kinlochleven, Scotland, OCdts from Birmingham University Officers’ Training Corps (BUOTC) undertook various activities on the annual Adventurous Training Camp, Ex DRAGON SLIM LEVEN. With opportunities to obtain foundation qualifications in kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and mountaineering, as well as a group completing the West Highland Way and Mountain

For the second year running students and staff of Wales UOTC assembled at Maindy Barracks with the prospect of a week’s mountain biking in one of Europe’s premier MTB areas – the Port Du Soleil. The 20hr drive completed we arrived at our chalet – staff and students sorting out our unit bikes and a

Members of Yorkshire Officers Training Corps embarked on a thrilling kayaking and canoeing trip through the heart of the Ardèche, an experience that left everyone in awe of the region’s breath-taking beauty. Our journey began in the quiet village of La Gare, where we were equipped with paddles, life jackets and an eager spirit. However,

Ex Frosted piste was took place in Les Arcs, a Resort located in Savoie France within the Tarentaise Valley. Officer cadets took part in Ski Foundation (SF) courses of varying ability with many having not skied before and were based in the UCPA centre situated just outside of Arcs 1600. The SF2 course is an

On the 11th February 2023, the ‘advance party’ of officer cadets and staff from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps headed off on their long drive towards Calpe, arriving at our cabin the following afternoon. They carried all of the group’s personal and climbing kit ensuring that we weren’t restricted by weight through flight luggage allowances.

DAY 1:We had an early start travelling from Edinburgh to Oban. Once we got to the boats, we got kitted up and learnt about the boat and sailing fundamentals. After we set off, we went through some rough sailing. We practiced knot tying and attempted our first mooring at Lochaline. We finished the day with

Expedition Dragon Trident, organised by Kyle Munt and Logan Roots, was a 12-day adventurous training exercise where 10 Officer Cadets from East Midlands University Officer Training Corps – completed a sailing trip. The main aim of the expedition was to provide OCdts with sailing experience, that they could take forward in their logbooks for future

From the 14th to the 28th of August 2022, 10 students and 4 staff from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps took part in a hiking expedition, aiming to complete the famous Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB). Although in the end an outbreak of D & V among the team forced us to restructure our plans,

20 members of ULOTC recently took part in Ex Cockney Cragsman 22; OCdts achieved the Summer Mountaineering Foundation qualification by completing training on the Karwendel High Trail in Austria. These Officer Cadets, some of which were new to mountaineering, developed transferrable skills vital to both the Army and wider life such as leadership, problem solving,

Expedition Dragon Nessie’s Triad, organised by OCdts Madeleine Messenger and Ellen Bayne, consisted of a two-week Adventurous training exercise for 20 Officer Cadets at East Midlands University Officer Training Corps – a 5 day Mountain Bike Foundation (MBF) course and a 5-day Kayak Foundation course (K2F). The expedition had the main challenge of pushing Officer

Cambridge UOTC We arrived at our campsite in Corsica after a long thirty hour journey. Everyone was tired and already struggling with the intense heat, but we got cracking with the work quickly. Kit needed unloading from the vans and all the tents had to be unpacked before anyone could even think about relaxing or

26 members of Wales UOTC assembled on a pleasant Friday afternoon excited at the prospect of mountain biking in the French Alps and all looking forward to the 20 hour road trip to the Le Biot, our base for the trip. On arrival at Chalet Hugo the following day we had a few hours to

Exercise Dragon Ascent 22 – Tyrol, Austria – 1st to 14th August 2022 Officer Cadet Oliver Goldsack – Exercise ICExercise Dragon Ascent 22 was a 14 day adventurous training exercise which took place this summer in the Austrian Alps. On Monday 1st August, 12 Officer Cadets from East Midlands Universities Officer Training Corps left the

From the 23rd of August to the 3rd of September 2022, Officer Cadets from Birmingham UOTC deployed to the French Pyrenees to undergo a road cycling training camp. The team completed seven days of riding, cycling through the mountainous terrain and hot summer conditions of Southern France. They successfully completed five of the top ten

WALES OFFICER CADETS TAKE IN THE BEAUTY OF THE HEBRIDES IN A NAUTICAL ADVENTURE Wales Universities Officer’s Training Corps were able to join the Joint Services offshore sailing expedition HIGHLAND EXPRESS, on Scotland’s stunning west coast.  The expedition aim was to give a new and challenging experience to some of the Officer Cadets and enhance

Short report on EMUOTC’s expedition along the West Highland Way – Summer 2022 One of our core missions at the East Midland Universities OTC is to foster resiliency and confidence in our officer cadets through adventurous training. For us, this involves putting on multiple trips a year, organised by our third year Officer Cadets, for

On the 11th August 2022, 12 OCdts from London UOTC set out on the Ex-Arctic Express; a passage which would be split into 3 phases. The first leg, sailing from Reykjavik to Vestmannaeyjabaer (a small island off the South coast of Iceland, was helpful for developing confidence with managing the boat). Next, the longest and

Having been 5 years since the last overseas adventurous training expeditions ran at EMUOTC, there were many Officer Cadets (OCdts) keen to travel to Iceland and complete the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails. Exercise Dragon EMU Ice saw 16 OCdts and 2 instructors trek an 8-day expedition, walking the Laugavegur Trail, (55km long trail between Landmannalauger

Officer Cadets from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps left Cambridge Army Reserve Centre at 11 pm on Monday 4th July and departed for France. We arrived at Dover in the early hours of Tuesday morning and arrived in Calais at 6 am. We then drove for a further 12 hours and arrived at the Campsite

On the 22nd of July, 13 Officer Cadets, two Mountain Leaders and one further member of staff, met at the Birmingham Army Reserve Centre (ARC) to begin the expedition with the aim of circumnavigating the Mont Blanc Massif following the Tour du Mont Blanc route. The original goals were to complete the 170km route in

East Scotland Universities Air Squadron Exercise Apennine Stag Post Exercise Report Introduction Adventurous Training (AT) as well as being fun and exciting, expands personal limits and improves operational capability because so many of the skills and characteristics it develops are directly transferable to frontline duties.  However, AT comes at a price, especially if it is

From 9th to 19th July 2022, 8 participants and a Mountain leader from Birmingham University Officers Training Corps took part in Ex DRAGON SLIM SHADY an adventure training expedition that aimed to complete the GR20 Nord route in Corsica; a route known as one of the toughest in Europe. The route climbs up 2500 meters

In late June 2022, 12 members of the University of Birmingham Air Squadron travelled to Croatia, in pursuit of learning how to sail. We arrived in Split on the 25th of June, and the students along with four instructors then travelled to Sibenik, where our expedition began. In Sibenik, we picked up two yachts, the

Between 13-19 June, 7 students from Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron hiked the northern segment of the infamous GR20 in Corsica, which is often described as one of Europe’s toughest treks. This expedition aimed to challenge our mental and physical resilience, placing us outside our comfort zone in a testing environment. The students carried all their

After a long break from adventure training, the summer of 2021 saw a crew of 11 Officer Cadets from the University of London Officers’ Training Corps prepare for a voyage from Portsmouth to the Isles of Scilly.  For the vast majority it was their first experience sailing and it should have been an opportunity for

  In early September 2019 eleven Officer Cadets and three members of staff from Northumbrian Universities Officers’ Training Corps (NUOTC) embarked on a twelve-day high risk and remote expedition to the High Atlas Mountain Region of Morocco, which would include the ascent of the highest mountain in North Africa, Mount Toubkal at 4167m above sea

Introduction Northumbrian University Air Squadron recently embarked on Exercise Icelandic Traverse – a two week expedition in which students would cycle from the north coast to the south coast of Iceland.The expedition began with squadron members meeting at RAF Leeming on 26th August 2019. Here, mountain bikes were checked and prepared, kit was issued and

#Exercise DELAGO TIGER is Exeter UOTC’s annual expedition to the Dolomite Mountains in N Italy.  Our most ambitious trip yet, it comprised 29 Officer Cadets supported by fourteen rock climbing, Via Ferrata and mountaineering instructors and support staff. The OCdts were split into two groups, one for rock climbing the other for Via Ferrata and

From the 22nd August to 7th September, 11 students and three Mountain Bike Instructors deployed to the remote Mongolian countryside, to cycle 680 km across deserts, steppe, and mountains in an expedition nick-named Ex Mongolian Endurance. The aim of the expedition was to utilise the harsh Mongolian landscape to enhance the attributes of leadership, self-sufficiency,

Thanks to a very generous grant from the Ulysses Trust, this summer 12 members of Oxford University Officer Training Corps were able to participate in EXERCISE BLUE PADDLER. EXERCISE BLUE PADDLER was a 12-day expedition from 22nd August 2019 to 02nd September 2019 to complete 7 days of Kayaking in Canada on a mix of

  Exercise CORSICA CASTLE 2019 was a fantastic 7-day, level three Adventure Training exercise conducted by the City of Edinburgh UOTC over the period 24 August to 01 September 2019, for 12 Officer Cadets and 3 instructors plus a support vehicle.  The aim of this exercise was to continue with the leadership training and development

Overview This report covers all activities and events that were undertaken by those participating in EX DRAGON STOIC SCHOLAR (DSS). This was a Summer Mountaineering expedition run in accordance with the initial JSATF(A). It was conducted on the Parc Naturel Regional de la Corse, Corsica, a 180km route through the Corsican mountain range, of which

Tayforth Universities Officers’ Training Corps (Tayforth UOTC) part in exercise NORTHERN FOX CADET 19, a Level 3 adventurous training exercise in Bavaria, Germany. Tayforth UOTC trains potential officers who are undertaking studies at St Andrews, Dundee, Abertay and Stirling Universities. The team of 45 flew from Edinburgh to Memmingen Airport 20 Aug 19. Upon arrival

Ex Northern Enduro is a Level 3 mountain bike adventurous training expedition to Morzine/Les Gets in the French Alps. The Aim was to allow 18 Officer Cadets (OCdt) from Northumbrian Officer Training Corps (NUOTC) the chance to participate in challenging pursuits. This was to encourage Leadership and development, whilst out of our comfort zone in

Upon disembarking the plane in the early afternoon, the first thing that hit us was the heat.  Ljubljana Airport was basking in the middle of an Adriatic summer, thirty-two degrees and glorious sunshine.  Quite the change from the cloudy, overcast Cambridge we’d left only a few hours earlier.  Standing on the staircase at the back

Thanks to a very generous grant from the Ulysses Trust, this summer 18 members of Oxford University Officer Training Corps were able to participate in EXERCISE BLUE BLANC. EXERCISE BLUE BLANC was a 13-day expedition from 29th July 2019 to 10th August 2019 to complete the famous Tour du Mont Blanc trek over 10 days.

Ex Cockney Sailor XVIII was a 14-day sailing expedition were we took two yachts sailing the west coast of Scotland.  We mainly traveled at night so we could experience the islands during the day.  The last 4 days were spent transiting back to the yachts’ base in Belfast over series of offshore legs.  The last

Exercise BAVARIAN CASTLE 2019 was a fantastic two week level three Adventure Training exercise conducted by the City of Edinburgh UOTC over the period 24 July to 04 August 2019, for 34 members of the unit.   The aim of this exercise was to continue with the leadership and development of those attending, working on areas

The Cambridge University officer Training Corps (CUOTC) recently embarked on a summer mountaineering expedition to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, led by Officer Cadet McConnell, to complete the objective of summiting Mount Toubkal. EXERCISE DRAGON ATLAS BLUE began on the thirteenth of July, with the members of the expedition meeting at the Army Reserve Centre

Exercise Boars Claw 19 was a unit-led rock climbing expedition to the Arco area of Trentino, Italy. Aim The aim of the expedition was to deliver the Rock Single Foundation course to three individuals and to provide the remaining seven individuals the opportunity to experience multi-pitch climbing in preparation for a future big-wall expedition in

Between the 15th and 23rd July 2019, seven Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Oxford University Officers’ Training Corps undertook a sub-aqua diving expedition, Exercise Blue Zenobia, in Cyprus. All OCdts successfully achieved the aim of this expedition and were awarded their British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) Sports Diver qualification, whilst another was able to work towards

  On the 5th April 2019, Bristol University Officers Corps started Exercise CABOT TELEMARK 2019. An Adventurous Training exercise to Norway to gain Nordic Skiing qualifications and develop future Nordic ski leaders and instructors. 11 Officer Cadets and a WO2 Company Sergeant Major together with two Nordic Leaders took part completing the two weeks of

  In April 2019, a group of officer cadets (OCdts) from Southampton University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) took part in a skiing exercise in the Norwegian Arctic. The aim of the exercise was to qualify OCdts in Ski Foundation level 3 (SF3), which assesses the competency of skiers’ downhill skiing, avalanche awareness and rescue, navigation

Day 1 – Flight and Arrival We arrived at the very early hours of 04:30 in the morning at London Luton airport and proceeded to check in and get some breakfast. We boarded onto the plane and was all sat as a team together. The flight was quick and relaxing, mainly because everyone was asleep

  1. INTRODUCTION A total of 12 people participated in a sub-aqua expedition to Cyprus from 30th March to 13th April 2019; 8 Cambridge University Air Squadron (CUAS) students, 3 Diving Instructors and the Officer Commanding CUAS. The expedition was named Exercise BLUE PLUNGE. The exercise was planned, organised and run by the CUAS students.

Exercise DELAGO TIGER was the fourth annual Exeter University Officer Training Corps (EUOTC) expedition to the Dolomite Mountains in N Italy 22 August – 9 September 2018.  It comprised 35 personnel, 9 x rock climbing and mountaineering instructors, 3 admin staff and 23 Officer Cadets and was based at campsites near Cortina and Canazei.  The

After close to a year of planning August and September 2018 saw 28 participants from Oxford UOTC headed out to Norway on an unforgettable hiking expedition. Phase One flew out to Bergen on the 13th of August and spent eleven days battling against the elements in the Hardangervidda region. Due to the high risk of

As the end of the OTC training year drew to a close an expedition to the world renowned, Laugever Trail still lay on the horizon for 14 Officer Cadets and Instructors. This was the first time NUOTC had run this expedition and the first time many of the group had been to Iceland. All bar

12 Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Oxford University Officer Training Corps (OUOTC), split into two phases, travelled to the Dolomites for an action-packed multi-pitch climbing package. The main aim of the expedition was to challenge the OCdts in a high-pressure environment and develop their climbing skills on some of the best routes in Europe. After packing

Morzine Mountain Biking Expedition – Report 1 (Pte Qureshi)   After a challenging annual camp in Lydd, 18 officer cadets and staff headed to Morzine for a week of mountain biking in the French alps. This provided a unique opportunity to further test the officer cadets both physically and mentally; needless to say both objectives

  Day 1 – Napoleonica, Italy (30 minute drive) Vast area situated above and below a disused road. The area chosen was at the far end of the crag, situated slightly above the road. The crag was quiet, well bolted and provided adequate introductory grades for the first day. Student feedback – “Steep terrain: difficult to