EUROPE

By WO1 Matt Bragg MBE

As I complete the first six months as Head of Trade, I reflect on the good work that the trade has delivered. I am proud to be a part of a trade that not only delivers globally and continually, but that also supports more than we are structured and resourced to do so. As a trade we have been extremely busy supporting operations and Defence activity but our reach outside of our regular portfolio to ensure success is impressive.

It has been satisfying to see the Movement Control employment badge appear in operational photography, on the BBC and on the cover of the RLC Review. I believe that identity is important, and this has been echoed by the breadth of our trade. We have a new Trade Proponent, Col Parker, currently Commander Logistic Support in 1 (UK) Division. I am confident that together our passion for the trade and corps will produce many positive outputs.

Trade Working Group In mid-June I held my first Trade Working Group. The aim was to inform all ranks of the assignments that are open to them. I gave an in-depth trade update with my first two slides detailing those who received Honours and Awards, both in and outside of the Queen’s Honours lists. On the day, Pte Wilson of 29 Regt RLC was awarded a Conductor’s Coin for his exemplary work at HQ 3 Cdo Bde RM, kindly presented by WO1 (Cdr) Hutchinson, Postal and Courier Head of Trade.

Trade outputs Throughout the trade, our people continue to overreach, not content with just delivering in their areas of responsibly. 29 Regt RLC’s support to Defence outputs continues to be relentless and highly significant; Op CABRIT, Op INTERLINK, Op INTERFLEX, support to Very High Readiness deployments and redeployments, establishing and force generating workforce for activity and multiple Force Movement Control Centres (FMCC) as well as supporting the deployment of Defence through the Joint Air Mounting Centre (JAMC). Their outputs are quite staggering, and I have not really scratched the surface. Regional Command have deployed to support operational and non-operational activity, globally, rcently supporting 16 AA BCT during their redeployment from Ex SWIFT RESPONSE in Macedonia. Our Mov Op reserves continually train and support both UK outputs and deployed training.

As I look across the breadth of the trade there are a great deal of

Movement Controller

8 Corps Open Day Mov Con stand -

SSgt Jordon, Pte Ball, WO1 Bragg, Sgt Rouse and LCpl Graham

outputs that are supported outside of the mainstream career employment group, equating to approximately 5-10% percent of the overall Movement Control liability. We also have a sizable footprint in training establishments, supporting the training of phase one recruits.

Corps Open Day It was good to see that the damp weather did not deter the crowds or atmosphere during the Corps Open Day. Our trade stand was developed and built by Sgt Rouse and Pte Ball (29 Regt RLC) and SSgt Jordon and LCpl Graham (Regional Command). They worked hard showcasing “The Movement Controller on Operations” with a display of photography from Op PITTING which drove engagement from those in and out of uniform.

Look ahead As we continue to support a myriad of defence activity, we will also see the restructure of 29 Regt RLC and some reshaping of our support to the Division and Brigade Combat Teams. There will be positions established to further support the Future Commando Force and Regional Command. This will present some exciting opportunities for our tradespeople and a better trade structure to allow for a more balanced and better trade pyramid.

8 Pte Wilson being awarded his

Conductor’s Coin by WO1 (Cdr) Hutchinson

By WO1 James Taylor

Army Marine Engineers (MEs) are specialist Engineering Technicians, trained and employed to provide Equipment Care and Engineering Support, including logistical needs and administration, to a range of MOD waterborne assets. MEs work in a number of environments, such as within a base port, at sea as part of a formed crew or individually as a deployed Subject Matter Expert (SME).

This can be as part of a deployable Expeditionary Port Task Group of the Army Fleet, the main enabling capability of 17 Port & Maritime Regiment RLC, or providing SME close support when posted to a UKSF unit. As such, Army Marine Engineers enjoy a varied career with global deployment, encompassing two apprenticeship schemes and other civilian accredited qualifications.

This year, the trade has welcomed me as the new Head of Trade, having taken on the baton from WO1 (Cdr) Karl Arnott, former Conductor of Maritime trades. My career thus far has placed me in every aspect of the trade’s business, having served at 17 P&M RLC across its range of vessels, in Cyprus and the Outer Hebrides as a Ramped Craft Logistic Chief Engineer, on tours with 460 Port Tp in the Falkland Islands, as an instructor at trade training and also serving in the RLC ME positions at both UKSF units. I hope to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the post and serve to advance the trade to staggering new heights. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our newly qualified Class 3 MEs to the trade; Pte Crummack, Pte Pickard and Pte Williams.

Over the past 12 months, RLC

Marine Engineer

Marine Engineer trade training has undergone a large shake up based on the recognised need to improve and streamline the CEG’s career pathway. Previously, RLC ME Phase 2 (Class 3) Trade Training was conducted at MOD Lyneham where soldiers would complete the REME Vehicle Mechanic Class 3 (VM3) course, however the training provided has proven too generic, non-Maritime specific. VM3 caused training deficiencies leaving MEs with gaps in the skill sets for the role whereby they are expected to be engineers with little supervision or resource at sea. Additionally, trainees were assessed on land-based platforms for civilian accreditation, to which they would seldom work on.

With the help of our Royal Navy counterparts, RLC Marine Engineer Phase 2 training has moved back to the Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE), HMS Sultan to accompany our Class 1 courses. The re-vamped training sees RLC ME Apprentices train on the ME150 Engineering Technician Marine Engineer Initial Career Course. The six-month course qualifies RLC ME3s to the same standard as RN ETMEs and RFA Motorman 2s before undertaking Specific-to-Arm training with 17 P&M Regt. The course provides the Apprentices with a C&G L2 Maritime Mechanical and Electrical Mechanic (Knowledge) Diploma, to which then the apprentices undergo 12 months workplace learning at unit before being awarded another C&G L2 (Competence) Diploma. After a successful oral and practical boarding, the apprentices are awarded a L2 Apprenticeship as a Maritime Mechanical Electrical Mechanic and upgraded to Class 2 Marine Engineer.

After our soldiers have served as a LCpl for at least a year, they are eligible to be invited back to Sultan to complete the Class 1 Course. This course has also undergone positive changes and is the start of a second apprenticeship at L3. Trainees attend the 12-month ME151 Leading Engineering Technician (ME) Qualifying Course (LETMEQC) before being upgraded to Class 1 and completing another apprenticeship portfolio at unit.

After successful boarding, ME1s will have accrued two C&G Level 3 Diploma’s in Maritime Defence, a Level 3 Apprenticeship as an Engineering Technician and professional recognition as EngTech with a body such as the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Interested by the RLC Marine Engineer CEG? Contact your local Army Careers Office or Unit RCMO through your chain of command.

8 Mexeflote Thrustmaster engine

electronic fault diagnosis

By WO1 (SSM) R D Ockwell Driver

As this is my first article as Command Master Driver for Sustainer, I want to take the opportunity to introduce myself. Before I do, I would like to thank Capt Andrew Corke for his monumental effort and the lasting positive effect that he has made to our trade. These are large boots to fill and I relish the opportunity to continue in his footsteps. Capt Corke recently took up the role of OC JAMC and the trade wishes him the very best of luck in his new position and for his future.

I am WO1 Richard Ockwell, your new Head of Trade for Drivers; a role in which I have long admired and pursued. I have taken some time for reflection and thought of all the people who have influenced and challenged me throughout my career. A heart felt thank you to all of them as they have enabled me to achieve my aims.

I am looking at three themes that I wish to take forward within my tenure; first is to continue the digitalisation pathway of our working practices in development and implantation. Second is to improve the way in which we, as a trade, communicate to ensure you all have awareness on trade specific information, activities and events. Lastly, to continue to support the apprenticeships and career development pathway within our trade.

April 2022 saw 30 RLC drivers, accompanied by Sgt Colgate (4 Regt RLC) and WO2 Hayes (MD 101OSB), commence with the first Enterprise Approach venture. The drivers initially undertook an intense bespoke four-week upskilling training package in partnership with Drivers Direct Ltd and Ultima Training. The training was delivered at Abingdon Station and provided each driver with their CPC drivers’ card and, importantly, the skills and accreditation they would require to drive an articulated lorry in a commercial environment.

The next step was to allocate drivers to the strategic partners (John Lewis, Tesco and Kuehne+Nagel). This was an important step as each Industry Partner provides a different and varied logistic output, notably with Kuehne+Nagel transporting Defence munitions across the country. We are eight weeks into the Industry Partner placement and have already achieved some fantastic statistics which will only benefit our units when these soldiers return. Over the last four weeks, Cpl Moore (3 Regt RLC) has covered 95 hours worth of driving which equates to 3,033 miles. To put this into perspective, it is the same as driving from Aldershot to Baghdad, Iraq. This trial will not only develop the reputation of Military Logisticians in the civilian sector, but also help develop the conditions for future trials.

Within my short period in the role, I have had the opportunity to visit 4 MI Bn’s Exercise GREYHOUND DRIVER (road safety competition) organised and delivered by the MT SNCO, SSgt Moor and his department. A challenging event, which highlighted the dangers of driving including using handheld devices and trailer reversing. It is these activities that highlights our trade and personnel as the key drivers for safety at unit level.

I also spent a few days at 16 Air Assault Brigade delivering ‘Survive the Drive’ road safety presentations to both 13 Air Assault Support Regiment and 16 Medical Regiment as part of their units’ road safety programmes. Engagement activities such as these present great opportunities for active engagement and to field questions with answers to the pressing issues regarding the trade.

I am looking forward to continuing to visit as many units (regular and reserve) as possible in the coming months. Please, I urge you all, if you have any questions, concerns or ideas that will benefit or enhance our trade, do contact your Bde Master Driver through your chain of command. Stay safe and keep up the fantastic work you are doing.

8 John Lewis is one of the strategic partners

part of the Enterprise Approach venture