A Year In The Life Of A Troop Commander - Lt Daz Woolnough

"2007 proved to be a fantastic opportunity to get some real adventurous training under my belt.

I was posted to 17 Port and Maritime Regiment and captained the Regimental Nordic Ski Team taking part in the sport of Biathlon.

I was responsible for the organisation, administration and training of the team which included a 3 week training camp in Norway plus 4 weeks of competitions in France and a further 4 weeks competing in Austria.

The team was extremely successful making it through to the Divisional Championships as well and the British and Army Championships and came away with a lot of well earnt silverware!

The trip proved to be the best experience I have had in the Army to date and all of it was fully supported by the RLC along with being heavily subsidised!

On my return I was tasked with the planning and organisation of Exercise French Connection involving 80 French soldiers and a Squadron of British soldiers from the Regiment.

This proved to be a great challenge in all aspects, particularly when liaising with the French but was also another good experience.

I am now posted to 25 Training Support Regiment in Deepcut where I have real hands on involvement with soldier's trade training courses and already the sporting opportunities are vast.

I have represented the Regiment at Football, Squash and Nordic Skiing and am taking 12 soldiers Nordic skiing in 2008."

 

Lt L Davies RLC, male officer.

Lt L Davies commissioned into the Royal Logistic Corps in August 2004 as the youngest serving British Army officer.

He spent 4 months on the RLC Troop Commanders course, learning about the diverse roles and responsibilities of an RLC Officer.

During his first tour Lt L Davies served with a Regiment in Germany as a Troop Commander where he quickly found himself organising a troop level exercise for his soldiers in order to train and practice their soldiering skills.

Since then he has taken part in a number of major exercises in Poland and Cyprus conducting low level training as well as demonstrating the operational capability of his Troop.

In addition, Lt L Davies has trained hard and taken part in 2 RLC military skills competitions testing his fitness over a series of grueling situations along with his military knowledge.

He has also made the most of the adventurous training opportunities in Bavaria and spent 2 weeks hiking, rock climbing and kayaking.

Lt L Davies' time in Germany culminated with an operational tour in Iraq where he was initially a Troop Commander and subsequently a Force Protection Commander ensuring that kit, equipment and supplies were able to safely get their destination without being attacked.

Lt L Davies is currently at a Training Regiment in Surrey as a Troop Commander where his responsibilities included the welfare and organising job placements for 180 soldiers during their trade training to become skilled and effective RLC soldiers.

 

Capt Hazel Boxen commissioned into the RLC in December 2003. She is a keen sailor and has made the most of the opportunities to go adventure training and racing.

"...I have always enjoyed sailing and at Sandhurst you have your first opportunity in the Army to gain some adventurous training qualifications.

I completed my Competent Crew and went onto help organise an expedition sailing to France with a group of cadets.

As an officer you are encouraged to look after a Regimental sport and organise an expedition as it is a good way to get your soldiers away from work and see how they cope in different challenging environments.

I was Regimental Sailing Officer in my first unit and lead my first expedition in the Baltic Sea around Denmark.

I have since lead another expedition to Majorca, have taught dinghy sailing in Germany and Cyprus and had numerous opportunities to race both dinghies and yachts.

I am now qualified as a Coastal Skipper, Dinghy Instructor and currently look after RLC Dinghy Sailing.

The RLC is currently very committed around the world but is always keen to reward soldiers for their hard work by encouraging them to take part in adventurous training and expeditions.

There are still plenty of opportunities to get away, whether it is to compete or to learn a new sport and gain some qualifications..."