Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps
Encyclopedia
Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps (AUOTC) is one of 18 University Officer Training Corps in the United Kingdom
. AUOTC recruits from the University of Aberdeen
, Robert Gordon University
and Aberdeen College
, all primarily located within the city of Aberdeen
in the north-east of Scotland
.
AUOTC is unique as the only UOTC where students who complete the military curriculum receive university credits towards their degrees.
, raised in December 1885. The Battery was officered by members of the University Staff and commanded by Captain William Stirling, then Professor of Physiology. In March 1895 the University Battery was absorbed by the 1st Heavy Battery. In November 1897 an Aberdeen University detachment of the 1st Volunteer Battalion the Gordon Highlanders was recruited and in 1898 the detachment became University Company ("U" Coy).
The Officer Training Corps (OTC) was established at the University of Aberdeen
in 1912 and administered by the newly formed Military Education Committee (MEC), under the chairmanship of the then Principal Sir George Adam Smith. The War Office authorised the formation of a Medical Unit and appointed as Commanding Officer Major
G A Williamson, MA MD DPH.
"U" Coy had by this time become part of the 4th Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders and at the outbreak of the First World War was mobilised and sent to France
; the only University contingent to go. The story of "U" Coy as a fighting unit is excellently told by Rule in his "Students Under Arms". Their record was magnificent but their casualties high. Their valour could not justify a policy which allowed so many highly educated young men to serve in the ranks
of a combatant unit.
In February 1924 the War Office authorised the establishment of an Infantry
Unit and the right to wear the Gordon Tartan
. The Infantry Unit was commanded initially by Major J Boyd Orr, DSO MC; later Lord Boyd Orr, Nobel Prize
Winner.
The Pipe Band was instituted in 1924 and became one of the most popular features of the unit. In 1929 the Scots Guards
provided the Senior Warrant Officer
of the Permanent Staff and established a Household Division link. However in 1995 the Scottish division took over this post, a link which continues to this day. In 1935 it was decided that the cap badge
, which up to then had been the University Crest, should be replaced by the Boar's Head, the family crest of the Founder of the University with the motto "Non Confundar", translated: 'I shall not be troubled'.
During the Second World War the OTC
expanded as all students of military age who had been granted deferment should join the OTC as part of a National Service
obligation. At its peak AUOTC was some 491 strong with 4 Infantry Companies, 2 Medical Companies and a Signals Section. Throughout the war the OTC in conjunction with the University ran special technical courses for Royal Artillery
cadets of which a total of 427 attended. In February 1943 the OTC provided the backbone of the 9th City of Aberdeen (University Home Guard) Battalion
, in addition to its normal role.
In October 1948 a new establishment gave the OTC Medical, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
, Intelligence
, Royal Engineer, Royal Signals and Infantry sub-units. As a result of various re-organisations over the years only the last 3 sub-units survive today. In 1955 women were allowed to join the OTC and a WRAC
sub-unit was formed; this has now been absorbed into the existing 3 sub-units.
In 1985 the OTC became responsible for military Home Defence (MHD) planning for the Grampian
Region and in 1986 it became responsible in all respects for Blackdog Range (five miles North of Aberdeen
on the coastal plain). While the organisation and personnel have changed over the years the latest being TA
Options for Change, the spirit of AUOTC nevertheless remains intact, receiving excellent support from the MEC.
In 1993 following Robert Gordon University
being granted university
status, AUOTC welcomed its first Robert Gordon members. In September 2008, AUOTC will accept its first members from Aberdeen College
.
s (OCdt) and are "Group B" members of the Territorial Army, paid when on duty. As part of "Group B" they are neither trained nor liable for mobilised (active) service and do not receive the same annual bounty payment as members of the TA proper.
OCdts can gain appointments to Junior Under Officer
(JUO) and Senior Under Officer
(SUO) and can also apply to the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) which, if they pass, leads to the opportunity to attempt the TA Commissioning Course (TACC) with the goal of a commission as a Second Lieutenant
.
Cadets have no obligation to join the armed forces when they leave university and can resign from the OTC at any time. The officers and non-commissioned officer
s, who function as instructors and administrative and support staff, are a mixture of Regular Army, Territorial Army and Non Regular Permanent Staff
. The rates of pay for OCdts varies between £35 and £57 a day depending on qualifications/rank gained
AUOTC specialises in Infantry training but has specialist training for Engineering and Signals too. As of July 2008 it had 138 members, making up approximately just 2% of UOTC and DTUS population.
upon completion of the year. First year recruits will study map reading, map craft, weapon handling, shooting, first aid
, field craft and drill.
MLDP 2 focuses more on leadership. Students will study how to process information about a battlefield, turn that information systematically into a set of orders and deliver them in a confident manner. They will also cover in more depth map reading, communication and work on personal skills such as public speaking
, presentation, team work and confidence
. Upon completion of MLDP 2 students may be awarded a NVQ Level 3 award in leadership and management.
After MLDP 2 students may be placed in command positions training other officer cadets, others will go on to study Infantry, Engineering or Signals in more details.
The students specializing in infantry will be tutored by a Colour Sergeant
in subjects ranging from CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and nuclear) warfare training, OBUA (Operations In Built Up Areas), vehicle and weapon recognition and small unit tactics such as section attacks, recces and ambushes.
The highlight of the Infantry year is the Exercise Cambrian Patrol
, arguably the premier patrolling competition in the British Army
, and often attended by other countries. AUOTC has done very well in the past, recently winning a bronze medal in 2006.
Students choosing Engineering
are taught by the QMSI who is attached from the Royal Engineers
for a period of 2 and half years. Officer cadets are introduced to explosives and the execution of small demolitions, mine clearance, bridge-building, and booby traps.
The highlight of the Engineering year is RE Minley, an annual inter UOTC Engineering competition featuring Engineering skills, endurance events but mainly featuring a speed build of a Medium Girder Bridge
. In 2008 AUOTC finished 2nd, only behind Glasgow and Strathclyde UOTC, a considerable feat considering how small AUOTC is compared to other UOTCs.
During the summer vacation around 40 students spend a week working the Military aid to the civilian community (MACC task) project. In 2008, AUOTC built 3 bridges, improved paths, built steps and improved drainage in woods at Rosewell, Edinburgh
in order to open the area up for walkers.
The signals syllabus is taught by a WO2 from the Royal Corps of Signals
, attached again for two and half years. Students study the importance of communication
to command and control at all levels in the armed forces. Officer cadets can attend a one week UOTC signals course at the Royal School of Signals
, Blandford.
The highlight of the AUOTC signals training year is Exercise Lightning Strike, the annual inter UOTC signals competition at RSS Blandford. The competition consists of signals related tasks, endurance and leadership events. In AUOTC finished 2nd 2007, 8th in 2008 and 12th in 2009 out of 19 UOTC’s and 4 DTUS teams.
"To develop, through authorised challenging pursuits and within an outdoor environment, leadership and the qualities necessary to enhance the performance of military personnel during peace and war."
Each year during December AUOTC takes its students to the Alps
for a week of Ski and snowboard training and to select a team for the army snow sports competition.
During the Easter vacation at leadership camp AUOTC spends a week conducting various AT activities which in 2008 consisted of climbing Ben Nevis
and various other Munroes, Mountain biking in Glen Nevis
, rock climbing, and ice climbing. Members of AUOTC have undertaken AT recently in the USA, Canada, France, England, Scotland, Wales, Czech Republic, Germany, Cyprus, Italy, Poland, Kenya and Uganda.
Students are able to attend any courses that the British Army, Royal Navy
or RAF organize and members are actively encouraged to attain qualifications in AT in order to improve their leaderships skills and teach other Ocdts.
AUOTC fields teams in male & female rugby
, football, hockey
, badminton and tug of war
with sportsmen/women representing their countries, Universities, local amateur teams and the AUOTC. The unit also has a very successful dance team.
The AUOTC football squad has been particularly successful over the last few years, competing in local competitions and university leagues.
The highlight of the sporting year is the annual Exercise Northern lights, competing against the Scottish and Irish UOTCs. The AUOTC won over all in 2008, finishing first in Football (not conceding a goal to another UOTC in 7 consecutive games), first in dancing, and runners up in Rugby and Tug of war. Only the hockey squad finished outside of the top two.
This years northern lights is hosted by Queens UOTC in Belfast.
As well as regular intra-unit competitions in various sports AUOTC has its own Physical Training Instructor (PTI) who is responsible for teaching and testing physical training.
AUOTC also sees athletes compete in Quadrathlon
s and marathon
s throughout the year.
The Drums and Pipes take part in several military competitions throughout the year. these are the Territorial Army championships in which Officer Cadets compete in individual, quartet, mini band and full pipe band competitions. In recent years the Drums and Pipes have competed in the Army piping and drumming championships held at the Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh. Piping and Drumming competitions are held at Exercise Northern Lights every year. This Exercise has its roots in a small Piping, Drumming and dancing gathering held in the past.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. AUOTC recruits from the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
, Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...
and Aberdeen College
Aberdeen College
Aberdeen College is the largest further education college in Scotland. It was formed from the amalgamation of the former Aberdeen Technical College, Aberdeen College of Commerce and Clinterty Agricultural College....
, all primarily located within the city of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
in the north-east of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
AUOTC is unique as the only UOTC where students who complete the military curriculum receive university credits towards their degrees.
History
The first formed University Unit was a Battery of the 1st Aberdeen Volunteer Royal ArtilleryRoyal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, raised in December 1885. The Battery was officered by members of the University Staff and commanded by Captain William Stirling, then Professor of Physiology. In March 1895 the University Battery was absorbed by the 1st Heavy Battery. In November 1897 an Aberdeen University detachment of the 1st Volunteer Battalion the Gordon Highlanders was recruited and in 1898 the detachment became University Company ("U" Coy).
The Officer Training Corps (OTC) was established at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
in 1912 and administered by the newly formed Military Education Committee (MEC), under the chairmanship of the then Principal Sir George Adam Smith. The War Office authorised the formation of a Medical Unit and appointed as Commanding Officer Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
G A Williamson, MA MD DPH.
"U" Coy had by this time become part of the 4th Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders and at the outbreak of the First World War was mobilised and sent to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; the only University contingent to go. The story of "U" Coy as a fighting unit is excellently told by Rule in his "Students Under Arms". Their record was magnificent but their casualties high. Their valour could not justify a policy which allowed so many highly educated young men to serve in the ranks
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of a combatant unit.
In February 1924 the War Office authorised the establishment of an Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Unit and the right to wear the Gordon Tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
. The Infantry Unit was commanded initially by Major J Boyd Orr, DSO MC; later Lord Boyd Orr, Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
Winner.
The Pipe Band was instituted in 1924 and became one of the most popular features of the unit. In 1929 the Scots Guards
Scots Guards
The Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...
provided the Senior Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
of the Permanent Staff and established a Household Division link. However in 1995 the Scottish division took over this post, a link which continues to this day. In 1935 it was decided that the cap badge
Cap badge
A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as the Boy...
, which up to then had been the University Crest, should be replaced by the Boar's Head, the family crest of the Founder of the University with the motto "Non Confundar", translated: 'I shall not be troubled'.
During the Second World War the OTC
OTC
OTC may refer to:* Oakwood Technology College* Owatonna Tool Company* Oklahoma Tax Commission* Odenton Town Center* Officer in Tactical Command* Officer Training Corps* Offshore Technology Conference* Ohio Turnpike Commission...
expanded as all students of military age who had been granted deferment should join the OTC as part of a National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
obligation. At its peak AUOTC was some 491 strong with 4 Infantry Companies, 2 Medical Companies and a Signals Section. Throughout the war the OTC in conjunction with the University ran special technical courses for Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
cadets of which a total of 427 attended. In February 1943 the OTC provided the backbone of the 9th City of Aberdeen (University Home Guard) Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
, in addition to its normal role.
In October 1948 a new establishment gave the OTC Medical, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
, Intelligence
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in different ways, including the abilities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving....
, Royal Engineer, Royal Signals and Infantry sub-units. As a result of various re-organisations over the years only the last 3 sub-units survive today. In 1955 women were allowed to join the OTC and a WRAC
Women's Royal Army Corps
The Women's Royal Army Corps was the corps to which all women in the British Army except medical, dental and veterinary officers and chaplains and nurses belonged from 1949 to 1992.-History:The...
sub-unit was formed; this has now been absorbed into the existing 3 sub-units.
In 1985 the OTC became responsible for military Home Defence (MHD) planning for the Grampian
Grampian
Grampian was a local government region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996. It is now divided into the unitary council areas of:*Moray*Aberdeenshire*City of AberdeenThe region had five districts:*Aberdeen*Banff and Buchan...
Region and in 1986 it became responsible in all respects for Blackdog Range (five miles North of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
on the coastal plain). While the organisation and personnel have changed over the years the latest being TA
TA
TA may be an abbreviation for:* EMC TA, an American diesel-powered locomotive* T.A. , 2002 album by the post-rock band Trans Am* T.A...
Options for Change, the spirit of AUOTC nevertheless remains intact, receiving excellent support from the MEC.
In 1993 following Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Building on over 250 years involvement in education, it was granted university status in 1992. Robert Gordon University currently has approximately 16,407 students at its two campuses at Garthdee and the City Centre, studying on over 145...
being granted university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
status, AUOTC welcomed its first Robert Gordon members. In September 2008, AUOTC will accept its first members from Aberdeen College
Aberdeen College
Aberdeen College is the largest further education college in Scotland. It was formed from the amalgamation of the former Aberdeen Technical College, Aberdeen College of Commerce and Clinterty Agricultural College....
.
Present day
OTC members are classed as Officer CadetOfficer Cadet
Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
s (OCdt) and are "Group B" members of the Territorial Army, paid when on duty. As part of "Group B" they are neither trained nor liable for mobilised (active) service and do not receive the same annual bounty payment as members of the TA proper.
OCdts can gain appointments to Junior Under Officer
Under Officer
Under Officer is an appointment held by senior cadets at some Commonwealth officer training establishments and in University Officers' Training Corps in the United Kingdom, and also a rank used in some Commonwealth cadet forces.-Australia:...
(JUO) and Senior Under Officer
Under Officer
Under Officer is an appointment held by senior cadets at some Commonwealth officer training establishments and in University Officers' Training Corps in the United Kingdom, and also a rank used in some Commonwealth cadet forces.-Australia:...
(SUO) and can also apply to the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) which, if they pass, leads to the opportunity to attempt the TA Commissioning Course (TACC) with the goal of a commission as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
.
Cadets have no obligation to join the armed forces when they leave university and can resign from the OTC at any time. The officers and non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
s, who function as instructors and administrative and support staff, are a mixture of Regular Army, Territorial Army and Non Regular Permanent Staff
Non Regular Permanent Staff
In the British Army, Non Regular Permanent Staff are members of the Territorial Army who are employed on a full-time basis. They usually fill vital unit administration or quartermaster roles and are most often long-service TA veterans or retired regulars. They hold military rank and wear uniform...
. The rates of pay for OCdts varies between £35 and £57 a day depending on qualifications/rank gained
AUOTC specialises in Infantry training but has specialist training for Engineering and Signals too. As of July 2008 it had 138 members, making up approximately just 2% of UOTC and DTUS population.
Stardard training
The MLDP 1 syllabus introduces new recruits into the UOTC. Students should be able to function in field exercises as a soldierSoldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
upon completion of the year. First year recruits will study map reading, map craft, weapon handling, shooting, first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
, field craft and drill.
MLDP 2 focuses more on leadership. Students will study how to process information about a battlefield, turn that information systematically into a set of orders and deliver them in a confident manner. They will also cover in more depth map reading, communication and work on personal skills such as public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners...
, presentation, team work and confidence
Confidence
Confidence is generally described as a state of being certain either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. Self-confidence is having confidence in oneself. Arrogance or hubris in this comparison, is having unmerited...
. Upon completion of MLDP 2 students may be awarded a NVQ Level 3 award in leadership and management.
After MLDP 2 students may be placed in command positions training other officer cadets, others will go on to study Infantry, Engineering or Signals in more details.
Infantry
The students specializing in infantry will be tutored by a Colour Sergeant
Colour Sergeant
Colour sergeant or colour serjeant is a non-commissioned title in the Royal Marines and infantry regiments of the British Army, ranking above sergeant and below warrant officer class 2....
in subjects ranging from CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and nuclear) warfare training, OBUA (Operations In Built Up Areas), vehicle and weapon recognition and small unit tactics such as section attacks, recces and ambushes.
The highlight of the Infantry year is the Exercise Cambrian Patrol
Exercise Cambrian Patrol
Exercise Cambrian Patrol is an annual patrolling competition that takes place throughout the Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales. An internationally recognized military exercise, previous participants have included numerous European states, in addition to Commonwealth countries and the United...
, arguably the premier patrolling competition in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, and often attended by other countries. AUOTC has done very well in the past, recently winning a bronze medal in 2006.
Engineering
Students choosing Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
are taught by the QMSI who is attached from the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
for a period of 2 and half years. Officer cadets are introduced to explosives and the execution of small demolitions, mine clearance, bridge-building, and booby traps.
The highlight of the Engineering year is RE Minley, an annual inter UOTC Engineering competition featuring Engineering skills, endurance events but mainly featuring a speed build of a Medium Girder Bridge
Medium Girder Bridge
The Medium Girder Bridge is a lightweight, man portable bridge and can be assembled without help from heavy equipment. In addition, it is also a deck type, two-girder bridging system capable of carrying loads up to and including Main battle tanks .MGB was originally produced by Fairey Engineering...
. In 2008 AUOTC finished 2nd, only behind Glasgow and Strathclyde UOTC, a considerable feat considering how small AUOTC is compared to other UOTCs.
During the summer vacation around 40 students spend a week working the Military aid to the civilian community (MACC task) project. In 2008, AUOTC built 3 bridges, improved paths, built steps and improved drainage in woods at Rosewell, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in order to open the area up for walkers.
Signals
The signals syllabus is taught by a WO2 from the Royal Corps of Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
The Royal Corps of Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army...
, attached again for two and half years. Students study the importance of communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
to command and control at all levels in the armed forces. Officer cadets can attend a one week UOTC signals course at the Royal School of Signals
Royal School of Signals
The Royal School of Signals is a military training establishment that is part of the United Kingdom's Defence College of Communications and Information Systems. It is located at Blandford Camp in Dorset...
, Blandford.
The highlight of the AUOTC signals training year is Exercise Lightning Strike, the annual inter UOTC signals competition at RSS Blandford. The competition consists of signals related tasks, endurance and leadership events. In AUOTC finished 2nd 2007, 8th in 2008 and 12th in 2009 out of 19 UOTC’s and 4 DTUS teams.
Adventurous Training (AT)
Throughout the year all students take part in Adventurous training. The British army’s stated aim for Adventurous training is;"To develop, through authorised challenging pursuits and within an outdoor environment, leadership and the qualities necessary to enhance the performance of military personnel during peace and war."
Each year during December AUOTC takes its students to the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
for a week of Ski and snowboard training and to select a team for the army snow sports competition.
During the Easter vacation at leadership camp AUOTC spends a week conducting various AT activities which in 2008 consisted of climbing Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. It is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William....
and various other Munroes, Mountain biking in Glen Nevis
Glen Nevis
Glen Nevis is a glen in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, with Fort William at its foot. It is bordered to the south by the Mamore range, and to the north by the highest mountains in the British Isles: Ben Nevis, Càrn Mor Dearg, Aonach Mòr, and Aonach Beag...
, rock climbing, and ice climbing. Members of AUOTC have undertaken AT recently in the USA, Canada, France, England, Scotland, Wales, Czech Republic, Germany, Cyprus, Italy, Poland, Kenya and Uganda.
Students are able to attend any courses that the British Army, Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
or RAF organize and members are actively encouraged to attain qualifications in AT in order to improve their leaderships skills and teach other Ocdts.
Sport
The British Army recognize essential military skills such as leadership, communication, courage and teamwork are reinforced in sport and so AUOTC students are encouraged to take part in sports.AUOTC fields teams in male & female rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, football, hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, badminton and tug of war
Tug of war
Tug of war, also known as tug o' war, tug war, rope war or rope pulling, is a sport that directly pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. The term may also be used as a metaphor to describe a demonstration of brute strength by two opposing groups, such as a rivalry between two...
with sportsmen/women representing their countries, Universities, local amateur teams and the AUOTC. The unit also has a very successful dance team.
The AUOTC football squad has been particularly successful over the last few years, competing in local competitions and university leagues.
The highlight of the sporting year is the annual Exercise Northern lights, competing against the Scottish and Irish UOTCs. The AUOTC won over all in 2008, finishing first in Football (not conceding a goal to another UOTC in 7 consecutive games), first in dancing, and runners up in Rugby and Tug of war. Only the hockey squad finished outside of the top two.
This years northern lights is hosted by Queens UOTC in Belfast.
As well as regular intra-unit competitions in various sports AUOTC has its own Physical Training Instructor (PTI) who is responsible for teaching and testing physical training.
AUOTC also sees athletes compete in Quadrathlon
Quadrathlon
A quadrathlon is an endurance sports event composed of four individual disciplines. All four disciplines are completed in succession and the lowest overall time decides the winner....
s and marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
s throughout the year.
Drums and Pipes
The Drums and Pipes remain a popular feature of the unit and in 2009 has a strength of 19 pipers and drummers. The pipe major and drum major are permanent group A Territorial Army staff and provide continuity in training and organisation as well as set standards for music and discipline. In recent years the Drums and Pipes have visited Brittany in France, the Nova Scotia Tattoo Canada, Festival of the Lakes in Lithuania, The Kremlin Zoria Tattoo Russia, The Shetland Isles, Benbecula, North and South Uist, and has been a feature in the Edinburgh Military tattoo for several years.The Drums and Pipes take part in several military competitions throughout the year. these are the Territorial Army championships in which Officer Cadets compete in individual, quartet, mini band and full pipe band competitions. In recent years the Drums and Pipes have competed in the Army piping and drumming championships held at the Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh. Piping and Drumming competitions are held at Exercise Northern Lights every year. This Exercise has its roots in a small Piping, Drumming and dancing gathering held in the past.