CPT/FA - Observer/Controller
Command & Staff Trainer (North) Catterick Garrison
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Description of duty position and work environment
Duty Description: Exchange Officer and Observer/Controller for Command and Staff Trainer (North), one of the three Battle Group (Battalion) and Brigade level doctrinal and procedural training centers in the British Army; the others are CAST (South) in Warminster and CAST (Germany). You will be responsible for observing, coaching, teaching and mentoring the application of current British Army planning doctrine (The Combat Estimate – 7 Questions) as well as battle-space management, fire support, air defense artillery and MOUT/COIN doctrine for operations across the spectrum of conflict. Additionally, you will travel world-wide to several different British Army Training centers and participate as an Observer/Controller in training exercises similar to those conducted at NTC or JRTC.
Work environment and deployments: You will work directly for a British Army Lieutenant Colonel and with seven British Majors and two Sergeant Majors (Warrant Officers). CAST (N) is very similar to the Leader Training Program (LTP) at NTC or JRTC. It is a staff focused trainer specializing in the Military Decision Making Process or the “7 Questions” as it is called in the British Army. You will also deploy in support of several different training exercises conducted with MILES-type equipment to places like Canada, Belize and Kenya.
Duty Uniform, other uniforms, suits, etc you should bring: The duty uniform is ACUs with the JRTC Ops Group patch. You will require all your uniforms (Class A, Dress Blue and Dress Mess) at some time depending on the function. A traditional black tuxedo is also required, as many functions are black tie events. Though you will not wear them often but, you will wear them all. A couple of business suits are also a must. British Officers wear jackets to meals in “the mess”
Physical Training / Gym Facilities: PT is self paced. There are plenty of roads and bicycle paths to run on through the garrison. Running into the training area is an option also. For a really good workout, try the Yorkshire Dales or the River Swale; Catterick Garrison is nestled into one the United Kingdoms most beautiful and hilly areas. The Garrison Gym is located in the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) and you will have access to other facilities during lunch. It is well stocked and open for use to you and your family. There is also a private gym in Richmond (2 miles from the house) with a pool just down the road that offers reasonable memberships.
URL to the website for your base or camp:
Catterick Garrison:
http://www.army.mod.uk/catterick_garrison/index.htm
Description of Housing
You will live in standard military quarters (1500 sq. ft.) on Catterick Garrison, which are allocated to the U.S. Exchange Officer; much like officers quarters on some of our old posts such as, Ft Benning and Ft Sill. It is a 4 bedroom duplex with a small detached garage. The garden (yard) is fenced and surrounded by hedges. British Army housing are typically smaller than those in the US, so consider carefully what you will "really" need to bring. This house was built in 1937, but is in fairly good condition; it has new carpets, paint and lanolium in the baths/kitchen. Rent is paid by direct debit and generally costs £280/month, and is easily covered by BAH. Gas and electric are paid to the company quarterly that provides your services.
What type of electric power do you have in your house/quarters? – 110/220
Electricity in all of the UK is 240 volts/50 hertz. All of our major appliances run off the local power grid. We have several transformers in the house that allow us to run many of the electronics we brought from the states. Transformers are available for loan from RAF Menwith Hill along with the other appliances.
Items in the house:
Several items will stay with the house. They include:
Vaccuum
Microwave
Small TV
Toaster
Electric water kettle
Hedge trimmers
Upon moving in, the Army can provide you with a “get you in pack” which includes linens, dishes, pots/pans, utensils. They will also allow you to sign for basic furniture while you wait for your house hold goods to be delivered.
Appliances
RAF Menwith Hill can provide you with you major appliances. We have two refrigerators and washer and dryer on loan. British appliances are typically smaller than those in the US, so washing clothes takes several loads. Other appliances are available, but finding space in the house for them will be difficult; we currently do not have a dish washer.
Television
We purchased a dual voltage/multi-band television from RAF Menwith Hill. US TVs are not compatible with the British TV frequencies. We have Sky Digital (satellite) which is just like any other satellite service in the US. Sky offers a variety of British and American programming including Fox News and yes, the NFL. The purchase of a TV license is required.
Telephone/Internet
There are several methods of phone service in the UK. We use British Telephone (BT) for both our household phone and DSL internet service. We are charged quarterly for both on the same bill. Having high speed internet at home is essential. Internet access at work is often unavailable, and does not allow access to web-based email (like AKO webmail).
Mobile Phone
The Cellular systems in Europe are dramatically better than back home. You can contract a phone or pay-as-you-go. The prices are reasonable, and there’s little problem with coverage. All mobiles work in Europe.
Medical and Dental care
TRICARE Prime is available to all Exchange Officers and family members. There are several other options available for you and your family while stationed in the UK for medical and dental care. Service members are authorized to use the British military’s medical and dental services. Both you and your family members are authorized to enroll in the National Healthcare Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom and register with a local surgery (clinic) and dentist at no expense. There is a respected NHS surgery (family clinic) less than a mile down the road, and a dentist located in nearby Richmond. Additionally, if you don’t mind driving, you and your family can use the small medical facility at RAF Menwith Hill.
Description of Military Post Office, Commissary and PX Facilities
Mail
We use the Royal Mail system as well as the US Postal service (APO). The bulk of our mail is sent to our APO address at RAF Menwith Hill via the USPS. All our local mail is delivered to the house via Royal Mail. Generally, we make one trip a week down to Menwith Hill to pick up mail and shop at the PX and Commissary.
Commisary/PX facilities
RAF Menwith Hill provides the closest PX and Commissary facilities, and is located about an hour south of Catterick Garrison. The PX is small and limited, but has many of the basics. The commissary is good sized and should have everything you need. RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall are 4-5 hours away depending on traffic. There is a large BX, BXtra (for home/garden type things) and Commissary there.
Local supermarkets and shopping
Everything you'll expect to find in Lawton, Oklahoma you'll find in or near Catterick Garrison. Even "Super Walmart" style shopping centers.
What religious services are available locally?
There are three churches on the garrison, one Church of England (Episcopal), one Methodist, and one Roman Catholic. There are also several churches/religeons in nearby towns.
Banking
Banking is the single most challenging matter to work out. There are several ways to do conduct banking in the UK. We maintain our US account as well as a local bank account at Lloyds TSB Bank. You will need to have a local British bank account to pay your local bills (i.e. telephone, satellite etc). Our Lloyds TSB account is at the local branch on the garrison. We can cash checks from your US account at RAF Menwith Hill (BX or the Community Bank) and deposit it at Lloyds TSB bank on the Garrison. We try to keep our Lloyds TSB Banks account at a reasonable level to conduct normal everyday life. That being said, we maintain a clear division between our local bank and our US bank. *Standing orders are similar to direct debits.
ATM's / Credit cards: ATM's are readily available throughout the country. Beware that if you use your US ATM/Credit card in a British ATM, you will be charged an international fee and it gets very expensive. Credit Card purchases are similar in international fees. Additionally, US cards do not have chips (like the one on your CAC card) and are often rejected by retailers
Schools
There are several options for schooling of your children; public and private. Our son attends Wavell Community School which is about 500 meters from our house. We are very satisfied with his level of education and amount of personal attention each child gets at school. Classes are about 25 students. There is not a public transportation system for school students, so you will have to walk or drive your children to school. Private schooling is available through the DOD education system; use the link below for assistance. Special Note: children in the UK start school one year earlier than the US and preschool (nursery) is available at age 3.
http://www.dodea.edu/
POV Information
All cars are required to meet UK specifications in order to be registered, so it is possible your headlights, turn signals, or fog lights will need modified upon arrival. This could anywhere from £100 - £300. Additionally, all cars must undergo an annual Ministry of Transport (MOT) inspection, which is rather rigorous, so it is highly recommend that all required maintenance be taken care of prior to shipping your car, as car repair is expensive in the UK. There is an annual road tax as well, and the rate is based on the size of your car's engine. For example; a 2.4L Volvo costs about £160 per year in tax, but you only pay the second year you are in country. It is also important to ship your car plenty early to ensure it is waiting for you upon your arrival in the UK. A good second car can be purchased locally for about £1000 - £3000 and it can be driven immediately if it still has a valid MOT inspection. Fuel coupons are available at US Exchanges and can be used at select petrol stations within the UK.
Driving
Driving on the right side of the road will take time getting used to. Traffic signs, directions and laws are very different from the States. You will need to get a USAFE driving permit from RAF Menwith Hill which will allow you to purchase fuel from the Gas Station there and get Fuel Coupons. *** Special Note – get a SATNAV. Learning to drive in the UK is hard enough; learning and navigating is even harder. We bought a SATNAV from the PX for $500 and have not been lost since.
Insurance
To the best of my knowledge, USAA is the only insurance provider that will cover U.S. Forces in the UK. Our policy gives us full coverage in the UK, Europe and when we rent a car while on leave in the States.
Pets
If you are interested in bringing your pet, you need to start the paperwork ASAP. The UK has relaxed its restrictions on bringing pets into the country, but there are strict procedures that must be followed. It takes 6 months from the time your pet is tested for the rabies antibody until it can enter the country without quarantine. For more information see: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
Local Area
Catterick Garrison is located in the northeast corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park (www.yorkshire-dales.com). The countryside is absolutely beautiful, and if you enjoy the outdoors, there is plenty to do. Make sure you bring good hiking boots with you. There are walking trails everywhere with spectacular views. Richmond is two miles down the road, and has everything you could want from a small Dales town: a castle, an abbey, pubs, restaurants, shopping, Saturday markets and even a small theatre. You will be three hours from Edinburgh, Scotland, two hours from Snowdon, Wales, only four hours from London and just five hours from the Euro-Tunnel. Get a Lonely Planet guide!!!
Miscellaneous
During your assignment, you and your family will eat, sleep, drink and breathe British culture. You will be far from any other Americans and your friends will all be British. They will take care of you – just like us in the U.S., Briton’s want us to enjoy our time here and leave having loved our stay. That being said; you and your family should be adventurous enough to get out and make social contacts on your own. Finally, to quote my predecessor, “in 12 years of moving around in the Army, we have never felt more welcome than we do here in Yorkshire! The people are beautiful, the country is gorgeous (even in the rain) and the job is phenomenal!!!”
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