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Cabinet Office Reservist in Royal pass off parade

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Henry Collis - Trooper, Honourable Artillery Company and Senior Policy Advisor, Cabinet Office

Henry Collis – Trooper, Honourable Artillery Company and Senior Policy Advisor, Cabinet Office

Civil Servant Reservist Trooper Henry Collis, joined with other London Army Reserve Recruits and their regular Army counterparts at a pass off parade at the Army Training Centre (ATC) in Pirbright on Friday 7th March in front of Inspecting Officer His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent.

The 95-strong parade, which marked the successful completion of Phase One Training for new Army recruits from the regular and reserve force, included 42 reserve recruits, the majority of which came from the City of London’s Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) and 151 (London) Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (RLC).

Trooper Henry Collis, 34, has joined the Honourable Artillery Company in City Road, the oldest Regiment in the British Army. Born close to Pirbright and coming from a military family, Henry always wanted to join the Reserve Forces and follow in his family footsteps. “The training course has been great”. He said “The highlight was the field exercise and ‘live’ firing. It was great preparation ahead of the Patrols Course with the Honourable Artillery Company”.

Prior to joining the Cabinet Office as a Senior Policy Adviser, where he now works, Henry spent three years as a civilian assessment analyst working at Headquarters ISAF in Afghanistan; a post he thoroughly enjoyed alongside volunteering outside of his day job to teach skiing to Afghan youths. “I’m sure I’ll take back to work many lessons in leadership, formulating plans and communicating them quickly to gain momentum – all very useful skills in the civilian workplace”.

Increasingly, Regular and Reserve forces are working together. Today there are currently 325 reservists deployed in Afghanistan with a further 53 on other operations worldwide, so early integration is important. ATC Pirbright runs 13 training courses a year for the Army Reserve, and has held combined regular and reserve pass off parades since May 2013.

The London based reserve recruits have spent an intensive two weeks learning everything about the Army’s Values and Standards, Regimental and Corps history, first aid, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear drills, range work, bayonet practise; they have undergone rigorous physical training, perfected their drill, and endured a 72 hour field exercise in dreadful weather conditions. But each of the soldiers involved claimed that, although challenging, the training has given them tremendous self-confidence and taught them a lot about their own capabilities.

The Army is increasing the trained strength of reservists to 30,000 by 2020, and the MOD is investing £1.8bn in training, support and equipment for the Armed Forces Reserve. Since 2001 over 22,000 Reservists have been mobilised for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and their contribution continues to reduce the pressure on the regular force, provide specialist capabilities which are in short supply, and demonstrate the vital utility of the Army’s Reserve.

Inspecting Officer, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent addressed the troops and guests who included families and friends of the Recruits. He said “I would like to congratulate everyone on their turn out and bearing on parade today – a proud day for families and friends. Today marks an end of basic training and begins a new chapter in your lives. When you join your regiments and corps take pride in your achievements. ….These are challenging times and you’ll soon be playing your full part”.

The soldiers from London’s Army Reserve come from all walks of life including students, actors, engineers, project managers, bankers, nurses, teachers, security guards, make-up artists, and the unemployed. To find out more about the joining the reserves go to www.armyjobs.mod.uk for more information.

The post Cabinet Office Reservist in Royal pass off parade appeared first on My Civil Service.


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