Officer Cadet Collects National Scout Commendation
Glasgow born Malcolm Black has been broadening his horizons in all directions over the last 6 months. A graduate in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, he joined the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineering Officer in January.
However, it is not his adventures on the high seas for which he is better known in Glasgow, but for his long term commitment to the 77th Glasgow Scouts (disabled) as a patrol leader with the Network Scouts. In this, his tenth year with the 77th he has been awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation Award.
Malcolm joined the scouts when he was eight and he says he has never looked back. However, it wasn’t until he wanted to get his Social Services Badge that he realised that there was a scout group for the disabled: “I only initially turned up to do my four weeks to get my badge signed off but the bug took and I’ve been going to the Network Scouts ever since”.
The 77th Glasgow Scouts work solely with disabled children and young adults who still wish to experience the opportunities open to other Scout Groups. Although the Scout Movement is all about integration, the 77th are able to offer specialised help for these Scouts.
Expeditions which Malcolm has organised have included caving and kayaking in the Lake District and a tour of London including the London Eye and the Bank of England.
“It’s not easy getting kids in wheel chairs around London on the tube but it’s such a great experience for everyone that it makes it all worth while”.
The former business consultant is keen to point out the independence that the 77th Scouts can bring to lives. He especially highlights their annual under canvas camps as an example of this: “Although we provide one to one care for most of the Scouts, it is more for physical ease than mental. We still expect the lads to organise and think for themselves”.
Unfortunately for Malcolm this award has come at a tricky time. Still in his basic military training stage as an Officer Cadet in the Royal Navy he is undertaking his Initial Fleet Training in the Royal Navy’s Flagship, aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, and will not be able to accept his Award in person from the Chief Scout: TV’s Adventure Man, Bear Grylls. He is spending his time as sea working and learning all the practical demands of living in the maritime environment. Further honing his leadership and management skills, he has been working alongside regular members of the Ship’s Company experiencing the life of a junior sailor.
“It is a fantastic experience to be able to service, even for a short time, on such an iconic ship such as HMS Ark Royal. So far, I have worked in all areas of the Ship from the galleys to the flight deck and am getting involved with everything. It’s a busy time but we are all finding it to be really fun. I always knew that the Royal Navy work exceptionally hard but I never thought it would be this tough! But it is a great Ship which contains such a level of professionalism and dedication. Everyone onboard has given up their time to help with our training despite the high tempo of the exercise”.
Malcolm’s ambition to be a Royal Navy Submariner has come as no surprise to his family. His father Douglas was in the RAF and his Uncle Allistair was a Royal Marine. When asked about his opinion on his son joining the RN rather than the RAF Douglas said simply: “The Royal Navy will be good for him”.
Although Malcolm is well over the horizon deployed on Exercise Auriga, conducting joint exercises in HMS Ark Royal with the US Navy, the Scouts remain in his heart:
“This award means a lot to me and it a real privilege to have my efforts and dedication recognised in this way. I am very happy to accept it and have always enjoyed my work with Glasgow Disabled Scouts”.