Army cadets mind the gap
Territorial Army soldiers teamed up with employees from West Midlands Ambulance Service to be put through their paces in a series of tough exercises at a training camp in Shropshire.
Exercise Macaw, which involved members of 143 (West Midlands) Brigade of the Territorial Army, was held at Nesscliffe army training area over two days and was open to potential officers from across the region.
It included a series of leadership tasks, command tasks and planning tasks which tested team-work, mental agility and physical fitness.
Ambulance service workers also took part in the challenge.
Brigadier Gerhard Wheeler CBE, Commander of 143 (West Midlands) Brigade, said: "This exercise is an excellent example of how the Army can work in partnership with local employers to produce results that provide mutual benefit.
"Our close relationship with West Midlands Ambulance Service helps us support reservists, find employment for former soldiers, prepare better for major incidents and improve the skills of both organisations.
"Its success has confirmed to me the need to build this type of relationship with other employers in the West Midlands. It worked well this time and we intend to expand the invite out to industry for the next course which will be held in late November this year."
Jim Hancox, a specialist trauma paramedic of the regional trauma network at WMAS, thanked the TA for organising the event.
He said: "Not only was it enjoyable, but the course content was of real benefit to ambulance service staff and personally i found the weekend to be a fantastic insight into the work of the military, in particular the reserve forces."
