COMMANDING OFFICER, QUEEN’S UOTC REPORTS ON 2016

The last 12 months have been a very busy period for Queen’s UOTC.  There has been a considerable amount of work conducted as we move towards delivering the Queen’s UOTC aim of being the ‘University society of choice’ to ‘inspire, challenge and develop the Officer Cadets.  I am confident that Queen’s UOTC offers a great individual experience, but, I am also very aware that we are in an increasingly tough market to compete for our young people’s time and commitment.  We can’t afford to rely on previous performance or reputation to guarantee future success – we must strive for continuous improvement if we still want to attract the very best young people.

Recruiting was the Corps’ Main Effort at the start of academic year as we focused on attracting the new intake of Queen’s and Ulster University, and, to a lesser extent, other Higher Educational establishment across Northern Ireland.  This has been a difficult recruiting year; numbers are slightly down from previous years (circa low 70s instead of mid 90s).  This slight reduction has been reflected in similar trends across the remainder of the UK.

Queen’s UOTC personnel deployed on several high profile Defence Engagement events over the last 6 months including National/International Piping Events where Queen’s Pipers have participated in several National and International Piping Events.  Examples include participation in the Massed Pipe Band of the Scottish and Irish UOTCs at the Edinburgh International Military Tattoo, the support to the National Day Romanian Day Parade and various Remembrance Day events. The Corps also support the Row-on-Row event in East Belfast with a Piper.  

Four Queen’s UOTC Cadets deployed to Chile in Aug 16 for an International Officer Cadet Winter Survival Training with the Chilean Military Academy.  Building on the success of this deployment, Queen’s UOTC has been given the opportunity to lead a pan-UK UOTC team to return to Chile in Mar 17 to compete in a military skills event to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Gen Bernardo O’Higgins Military Academy.

Easter Camp was conducted at Magilligan Training Centre over a 4 day period and was a consolidation of Modules A and B training.  B Company also attended their first Live Firing Camp.  Annual Camp was conducted at Sennelager, Germany. The Officer Cadets were put through their paces with a Field Training Exercise, a Live Firing Package and visits to the Regular units within 20 Armoured Brigade in Paderborn. This was followed by a few days’ Adventurous Training and Cultural Education including a visit to Bergan-Belsen.

The Corps’ final Training Weekend of 2016 was in Ballykinler where the emphasis was fun.  The Commanding Officer’s fun run on Saturday morning set the tone with staff and Officer Cadets running along the Ballykinler beach in fancy dress.  The remainder of the day was filled with clay pigeon shooting and Officer Cadets catching up on any lessons missed in the first part of the training year.  On Saturday evening, the Corps returned back to Tyrone House for Officer Cadet’s Santa Christmas party.  On Sunday, the Officer Cadets were served their traditional Christmas Dinner by the Corps’ Chefs and waited on by the staff.

There has been a steady drum beat of Corps sponsored activities over the summer months with. Ex SOMME FINN saw 15 Officer Cadets and staff deployed to the Somme for a very successful Battlefield Study.  The Battlefield Tour focused on former members of the Corps who fell during the First World War.

Four Officer Cadets had the privilege of participating in EX DYNAMIC OUTREACH, a mountain winter training exercise with the Chilean Armed Forces. A further 25 Officer Cadets participated on Ex HIGHLAND FINN which was a multi activity exercise in the Scottish Highlands.  Also, 7 Officer Cadets completed a very challenging Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition, Ex SHANNON FINN, kayaking up the River Shannon in September. Finally, the Corps’ Military Patrol Team prepared for, and deployed on, the Cambrian Patrol in October.  Currently, the Corps is planning 3 winter sports exercises. A Nordic ski team deployed to Norway in Dec 16 for Biathlon training and two downhill skiing exercises will be conducted in January and March.  In total, circa 50 Officers Cadets will be ‘on snow’ this season.

Programmed physical training continues to be a very popular activity at Queen’s UOTC. The Corps have participated in many different sporting challenges this year and have had notable success in Cross Country and 38X British Army Warrior Fitness Competition where the Corps achieved first place in the first round of the latter competition.  The Corps won the UOTC Orienteering Championships in November 2016; topping both the UOTC and Army Reserve classes – a considerable achievement.

In closing, I continue to be inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment of the young men and women at Queen’s UOTC as they progress and develop their experience over time.

CO Queen’s UOTC