Cover story

17 P&M Regt RLC – Pewit Island

By Capt D Taylor

RLC maritime and helicopter support assets work with the RAF to build a new sea-bird nesting habitat in the Solent. 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC was asked to provide a MEXEFLOTE to support part of a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust initiative to encourage wildlife back to Pewit Island. The easy to recognise MEXEFLOTE rafts all sit in Zulu Troop, 52 Squadron, so when the equipment is required, so are Zulu Troop’s soldiers.

Pewit Island is a secluded island just outside Portsmouth Harbour. It no longer has any birdlife as there is no longer anywhere for birds to create their natural habitat. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is running several initiatives under “Project Wilder”; an initiative to promote biodiversity in the region. The idea behind this initiative is that increasing the aggregate on the island will give the birds areas to nest safely and restore seabird populations.

One of the problems with accessing Pewit Island is that the approach is too shallow for the MEXEFLOTE to get close enough to offload directly. Joint Helicopter Command came up with a plan to use CH47 Chinook support, utilising routine training sorties, to shuttle the aggregate the final 500 yards. This capability was provided by 28 Sqn RAF and the RAF Benson-based Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS). The MEXEFLOTE carried 55 tonnes of bagged aggregate as close to the island as possible before onwards movement to the island by Chinook, via under-slung load controlled by the RLC rigger/marshallers from the JHSS.

This task is a perfect example of how integration of different capabilities can provide a greater effect as the task would have been more difficult had either the CH47 or MEXEFLOTE had to operate alone. It’s also great to see Army lead projects delivering sustainability initiatives which will promote bio-diversity and restore some of the environmental impact that infrastructural development has had on it.

Cpl Brighouse, the Coxswain of the MEXEFLOTE raft used to transport the aggregate to Pewit Island said: “It’s great to get to showcase what the MEXEFLOTE can do so close to home. I’ve operated with helicopters before, but I haven’t cross-loaded this weight of cargo direct to a helicopter. The MEXEFLOTE is a really versatile raft as it’s modular so you can configure it in different ways like building blocks and we’re constantly finding new ways of putting it to use.”

The task was initially meant to occur on Mon 19 May, but adverse weather forced it to be delayed by 24 hours. Fortunately, Cpl Brighouse and the soldiers deployed were able to make good use of crew shelters on the MEXEFLOTE vessel for an overnight stay.

Both the CH47 and MEXEFLOTE are “Land” capabilities, which operate in the air and on the sea respectively, so it was great to see them operating together, showcasing some of the breadth of what integrated capabilities can deliver.

The MEXEFLOTE is also one of several unique to Defence capabilities that The RLC provides. It is the only MOD vessel that can transport heavy vehicles, large equipment and heavy stores from “ship to shore” and enable the discharge of a ship without a port. This niche capability for Defence sits in one regiment, one sub-unit and one troop, within the Corps. The Pewit Island exercise attracted considerable media attention, so It was great to see The RLC’s capabilities, and the soldiers that work hard to maintain and operate them, get such positive exposure in the press.

ENDURO 7: 7 EXTREME EVENTS, 7 DAYS, NO REST!

Maj Simon (Sip) Powers (6 Regt RLC) is undertaking a challenging endurance event to raise funds for the veteran’s mental health charity ‘Combat Stress’.

This intense challenge will see Maj Powers and his small team complete seven extreme events within seven days with no rest, demonstrating the effects that sleep disruption and deprivation can have on a person’s psychological state and mental health. The intention is to raise awareness of mental health issues as well as elevating the profile of the significant work Combat Stress does to support Service Personnel and veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression.

Speaking of his up-coming challenge, Maj Powers commented: “For me, seven days of pain is nothing compared to what some Service Personnel and veterans go through on a daily basis, suffering in silence with their mental health.”

For a long time, mental health was not openly recognised as a serious illness in both military and civilian walks of life. The military has witnessed an increase of those suffering in this way during the last decade but thankfully it is becoming better at recognising the symptoms and being able to support its personnel.

Starting on Monday 28 Jun 21, the non-stop 24-hour challenges will begin with an abseil of Newcastle Bridge followed by a 30km cycle on Tuesday. Throughout the week, Maj Powers will climb, mountain bike and kayak culminating with a running event on Sunday 5 Jul 21 at Dishforth Airfield. Whilst the challenge itself is being completed by one man, there is a team of people donating their time and effort to ensure that the event happens on time and to plan.

For further information and to donate, please visit: www.enduro7.com

THE RLC MUSEUM IS OPEN

The new Royal Logistic Corps Museum opened its doors to the general public on Tuesday 18 May 2021 after an 18-month hiatus. This was made possible thanks to a fantastic effort by the museum team, led by Maj (Retd) Simon Walmsley, the museum’s trustees, chaired by Maj Gen Seumas Kerr CBE, the friends of the museum and the curator of the RCT Medal Collection Lt Col Nathan Smith.

The new museum, now located outside the main gate of The RLC’s new home of DCLPA Worthy Down, occupies a purpose-designed building three times the size of the one in Deepcut and following the closure of the RHQ The RLC Officers Mess is now home to the world-class RCT Medal Collection. With over 7,000 medals in the collection spanning 1794 to 1993 and representing almost every campaign the British Army fought in during this period, this is the first time the public has had unfettered access to this nationally important collection.

Earlier this year, the museum gained Royal Patronage from the Corps’ Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Princess Royal. During a visit to the Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration on Thursday 13 May 2021, Her Royal Highness visited the museum, accompanied by MGL, the Comdt DCLPA and the Col RLC, to see the fantastic new facility and exhibition and to formally open it.

The museum was officially opened to the public by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, on Monday 17 May 2021. Following the cutting of the ribbon, the museum received its first visitors, including groups of representatives from the RLC’s forming corps, museum volunteers, friends of the museum and other invited guests.

Until COVID-19 restrictions are fully relaxed, visits must be pre-booked and are limited to groups of up to six people 15 minutes apart. The museum welcomed members of the public the following day and thanks to the considerable press coverage the museum opening enjoyed, it has visitor bookings well into the summer.

Press coverage included reports prior to the opening in most of the region’s major newspapers/news websites and on BFBS radio. On the day of the public opening, the museum was featured in both ITV News Meridian’s evening news bulletins. On 18 May, BBC Radio Solent did three live broadcasts from the museum during its breakfast show, in addition to coverage on Forces News TV.

Following the closure of The RLC Museum in Deepcut in Q3 2019, the museum team set about packing up the archive and collection prior to it

8 RHQ The RLC’s resident ATO and the

COS, Lt Col Ciaron Dyer shows The Princess Royal how to diffuse an IED, using an interactive display, during her visit

8 RLC Horse Drawn Heritage’s WW1 GS

Waggon attracted media’s attention at the public opening

being placed into storage in South Cerney. They then set about designing a radically transformed exhibition gallery in the new museum building in Worthy Down, to maximise access to, and engagement with, the collection. This was achieved in partnership with museum design specialists, PLB. The RLC Museum team has created a more welcoming, accessible and flexible environment. Previously only one third of the collection could be displayed, but thanks to the size of the new museum most of it can now be seen by visitors. The new museum tells the detailed story of 200 years of British Army logistics in an exciting, engaging and innovative manner and there are also references to how this country’s armies were sustained going back to the battle of Agincourt.

The visitor journey starts in an immersive cinema, playing a specially commissioned film, introducing the museum and over 200 years of military logistics. Additional films, audio and visual displays are spread throughout the museum, along with touch screens. Interactive displays ranging from driving a truck to defusing a bomb, are sited through the main gallery to keep visitors engaged with the story.

The new museum is class leading, is the newest visitor attraction in the South of England, suitable for people young and old and brilliantly

8 The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire

cuts the ribbon officially opening the museum to the public

showcases the rich heritage of The Royal Logistic Corps. 8 For our opening times and further information, visit the museum website: https://www.royallogisticcorps. co.uk/museum/

8 Maj Gen Seumas Kerr CBE welcomes the museum’s first visitors 8 The new museum has enabled much of the RLC collection to be

displayed for the first time

8 Museum director, Maj (Retd) Simon Walmsley takes the first

group of visitors on a guided tour of the museum

8 Medals from the RCT Medal Collection on public display for the

first time

YOUR CAREER, YOUR CALL

Career management team RLC soldiers - SO1: Lt Col Stewart SO2: Maj Brown WO1: WO1 Neilson

SOLDIERS

SO1: Lt Col Stewart SO2: Maj McHugh WO1: WO1 Neilson QOGLR: SSgt Subba

A message from the SO1 Welcome to the summer issue of The Sustainer. At the time of writing, APC staff are still working from home with no direction as to when this may end - in spite of the huge success of the UK wide vaccination programme - however all systems and procedures are now fully developed to allow us to deliver every aspect of career management less unit visits.

Trade secrets MPARs. Who is responsible for writing reports? You need to know who is going to deliver your MPAR and subsequently your SJAR, to make sure you get in their in-tray when the time comes! If you are a 1 RO, then you will deliver the MPAR at around the midpoint of the reporting period. This is mandatory and there must be a good reason why a soldier doesn’t get an MPAR. You can deliver your MPARs pretty much whenever you like, but as a rough guide the below table shows the ideal window of delivery.

All should be aware that the purpose of an MPAR is to provide feedback to the subject on their in-year performance to date. It will confirm strengths and successes and provide direction and guidance where weakness or poor

Do you know?

The RLC has 191 posts across all the Training establishments from Cpl – WO1

performance exists. You are not limited to just one MPAR. If the soldier you are writing on needs a little extra opportunity to get that overall good report in the SJAR, then you can legitimately deliver as many MPARs as is necessary to nudge the individual back on the right track. Indeed, if you yourself feel like you need your weaknesses identified and the opportunity of a re-gain, you too can request an extra MPAR. The top three tips to reporting officers are: 1. Conduct the MPAR in the 4- 8 month window of the appraisal year

Rank MPAR Delivered window by who Pte Apr-Jun Sgt LCpl Feb-Apr Sgt Cpl Dec-Feb Tp Comd Sgt Oct-Dec OC SSgt Aug-Oct OC WO2/WO1 May-Jul OC

Fancy something different?

There are 59 posts across the Recruiting group from Pte-SSgt nationwide.

Calendar of Events:

Key Dates Event Action 30 Jun WO1 & WO2 SJARs due Warrant Officers, check your SJAR has been finalised 28-30 Jun LCpl – Cpl board sits No action & 5-7 Jul 29 Jul LCpl – Cpl Results LCpls, log onto MS Web at 0900 1 Aug Pte SJARs to APC Ptes, check your SJAR is finalised on JPA 31 Aug WO1 SJARs to APC WO1s, check your SJAR is finalised on JPA 31 Aug WO2 SJARs to APC WO2s, check your SJAR is finalised on JPA 30 Aug-3 Sep Pte – LCpl board sits No action & 6-10 Sep and ensure it is recorded. 2. Conduct another MPAR if the subject needs it, especially if their performance has dropped. 3. Do not falsify the date of the MPAR on the annual appraisal.

Improved career management for dual serving spouses. The Dual Serving Spouse project serves to refresh current policy and provide an effective system that gives regard to the needs of Service Couples, without prejudicing other cohorts in the Army. The focus is appointment boards and career management to enable improved processes for the notification of Service Couple status and the development of co-operation between respective career managers to inform appointing of Service Couples, whilst adhering to the MS binding principle. The project has two phases: Phase 1, initial operating capability (IOC) seeks to bring together existing Army policy. This has been achieved through policy updates to the Boarding Manual and the CM Handbook, which have been agreed and will be live in the next version. You can access these through the MS Web or Defence Connect. The PPP has already been updated to reflect these changes. IOC will see serving spouse considerations being submitted by a Service person on a specific form in order to provide appointment boards an indication of additional factors affecting aspirations and preferences. This form will be uploaded to the CM portal for APC appointing activity and be considered by board members in the same way as the PPP. An ABN will follow giving the relevant detail. Phase 2, Full operating capability (FOC) will look to make use of the CM Portal functionality to empower individuals to indicate serving spouse aspirations and preferences directly to both the JPA record and for specific appointment boards. This work is still

developing and liaison with the CM Portal development team continues, but stay tuned for announcements regarding Dual Serving Spouse policy.

Future assignment exchange policy. The Assignment Exchange (AE) policy will provide SP with the formal process to follow, should their personal circumstances change and an AE be required. The AE is not designed to be used to avoid the results of a recent Assignment Board and only in exceptional circumstances can an AE be requested before the minimum time of seven months in post has been reached. The AE policy is designed to allow an individual to request an AE with another SP with the same rank and KSE-B, who is looking to exchange assignments. The project achieved IOC on 26 Apr 21, when the RAC trial began. IOC will be declared once the trial has concluded and any lessons learned, the Policy and Process has been updated if required and the AE project has been made available to all cap badges, FOC provides the means for SP to make AE connections. The intent is for this function to be delivered under the CM Portal, although this remains work in progress at this stage.

The Army Career Policy Portal is now live on Defence Connect. By typing in the following link, you should arrive at the Portal landing site, where you can access key CM documents and cap badge policy links.

Fancy something different?

There are 42 SPSI posts across the RLC Reserve Regts, SSgt-WO2. https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk /community/army/army-pers-pol

The Army Career Policy Portal is part of Project CASTLE. CASTLE is the key human resources programme seeking to achieve greater choice for our people and achieve organisational agility. One of CASTLE’s work strands is the simplification of Army and Cap Badge Terms of Service (ToS). These ToS and wider career opportunities are all accessible to soldiers and officers on the Army Career Policy Portal on Defence Connect. People can now make better decisions based on readily available and easy to find information. Career Managers and MS reps can quickly and reliably signpost Service personnel towards the Career Policy Portal.