Systems Analyst

Record of Training; delivered internally by our DTTT Phase 3 qualified instructors. The 10 foundation training objectives cover a variety of subjects including IT networking, server virtualization and encrypted router devices; plus, the logistic and engineering applications that the trade supports: MJDI, JAMES, SS2 and VITAL. The cohort worked individually and collectively throughout, displaying a strong bond and were all successful in completing the foundation training objectives by December 2022. Now into the development phase of their training objectives, they are learning about topics like user access device image deployment, operations and exercise logistic IT planning and conducting site surveys. This is achieved in conjunction with their core functions of incident management and service requests. It is a busy period for our new Systems Analysts, and they are already adding much value. They have received their presentation/project topics. Utilising Microsoft Teams and Power Apps to design tangible products to improve the processes and benefit the trade. Also, creating a social media presence across Defence platforms to improve Systems Analyst awareness and interest. These are on time to be delivered in the second quarter of 2023. As usual the entire Record of Training has been reviewed for currency and improvement; we look forward to delivering to the next cohort mid-2023.

SSgt J Chirwa, Deployed MJDI PM

On 31 Jan 23, two RLC Systems Analysts, WO1(SSM) Jason McConnell MBE and SSgt Joel Chirwa, employed within DE&S Live Services, attended the 2023 Boeing Defence UK (BDUK) Digital Services and Analytics, Senior Leaders

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Strategy Workshop in Donnington. The launching of the BDUK’s 2023 Priorities and Objectives event also provided BDUK Managers and Senior Technical Leaders an opportunity to directly interact with Service Personnel on the operational end of the UK MoD customers accelerated Digital Strategy.

The afternoon session themed “The Customer” attended by the two Systems Analysts was opened by a virtual presentation by Air Vice Marshal Richard Pratley (ACDS Support Operations, UK Strategic Command) who highlighted the current global and UK specific political and military challenges and emphasised the significance of the strategic collaboration between the MoD and industry delivery partners. Apart from attracting attention in the room being the only participants in uniform, the two Analysts took part in group discussions and a Q&A session on the impact and the importance of the work BDUK carries out on behalf of the MoD. This was centred around deriving a common definition of a customer for Digital,

Logistics, IS, Data and Intelligence capabilities that BDUK delivers for the MoD with the view to understand what the customer requires. The key challenge presented to the BDUK managers and senior technical leaders was the need to engage the end users and the deployed support agencies in defining capability requirements to ensure that industry partners deliver capabilities that not only meet the high-level strategic aspirations but are also practical and fit for purpose on the operational end.

The final message from the Head of Trade is that the trade remains unique and versatile with its BAU and general outputs providing a diverse and challenging environment to test one’s ability, whilst expanding knowledge, skills and behaviours in various technological fields. If this is something that may appeal, then please engage with the training and recruitment WO or alternatively seek out the opportunity within the Digital Transfers hosted on the Defence Gateway.

By Peter Shakespeare

Sixteen years ago, if you had told a young woman from India’s Punjab, that in early February 2023 she would be interviewed by a magazine, in advance of receiving an MBE from His Majesty King Charles III, it’s unlikely she would have believed you.

But for RLC Chef Sergeant Pardeep Kaur MBE, that’s exactly what she was doing. In 2007 Pardeep Kaur left her native Punjab in search of new opportunities and moved to the UK to live with her aunt and uncle. Initially she found work as a beautician, but in 2009 the opportunity she was looking for dawned on her: “At the time I didn’t know why, but something in my mind told me to become a soldier in the British Army,” she says. “I knew nothing about the Army, let alone what part of it to join, so I began to research what trades I could go into. Then I went to the recruitment centre in Wembley and they told me straight that as I was from the Commonwealth most of the trades open to me were basically those of The RLC. Because of my Punjabi background, and the fact I liked to cook, I decided I wanted to become a Chef and show the whole army what our cooking is all about.”

It took Sgt Kaur nine months before she was accepted for Phase 1 training: “Basically my English