SNIY open evening success

C Squadron of the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry hosted CIPD employers at an open evening in Yeomanry House, Cupar, on 18 May.

Guests were welcomed by Squadron leader Maj Paul O’Riordan who thanked his team and explained how they would use the evening to generate as much social media activity as possible.

They were then shown a selection of the equipment operated by the Squadron, including their R-WMIK vehicles, upgraded and armoured Land Rovers equipped with heavy machine guns and used in the combat reconnaissance role.

As a normal training evening, members of the Squadron were much in evidence, preparing their equipment for weekend training ahead of Exercise WESSEX STORM in June/July.

Guest also saw a demonstration of first aid techniques, provided by combat medic and qualified civilian first aider Sgt Sarah Stewart, and were encouraged to have a go.

Meantime, Sgt Irwin, in civilian life a vehicle fitter, explained the characteristics of the R-WMIKs he looks after as a vehicle technician in the Sqadron.

Visitors also heard from Trooper Tom Ham who explained that while his employers ‘aren’t interested in the fact that I can operate heavy weaponry’ they fully appreciate that ‘if we know there’s a problem we know that you’ll work at it till it’s sorted’. Tom, in his day job a financial advisor and also a para-Olympics coach, says that his employers, Aberdein Considine, are very supportive, providing him the time off to complete courses and allowing him to pursue his goal of commissioning.

As the evening continued, Regimental Commanding Officer Lt Col James Campbell-Barnard checked his phone to find that one of the tweets generated during the evening had been retweeted by none other than the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, himself!

The event concluded with a briefing on the benefits to employers of the transferrable skills gained by members of the volunteer Reserve forces, followed by a curry supper.