Yesterday (Thursday 11th May, 2023) the first of the prestigious Expedition Awards were presented by Lord Lieutenant for Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE. The awards, from The Ulysses Trust, recognise the best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning, with the latest awards being selected from the 95 cadet and reservist expeditions supported in 2022.
The University Category award was presented to Exercise Arctic Express Leg 9 2022, an adventurous training expedition undertaken by Officer Cadets from London UOTC, who sailed from Iceland to Scotland in a Challenger 72′ yacht. Officer Cadet Mirza and Major Terence Hackett received the award on behalf of their unit at the Lord-Lieutenant and GL RFCA Awards 2023 Yeomanry house, London.
The twelve OCdts on the expedition were put to work and given specific roles, including engineer and medic, as well as performing man overboard drills and rotating in 4-hour watches, learning the importance of teamwork and relying on their watch buddies to get things done. Despite the trying conditions and sleep deprivation, team spirit and mentorship was evident throughout the expedition, with some OCdts being challenged in their leadership by becoming watchkeepers and having to lead a small group of four.
The certificates, signed by The Ulysses Trust Chair, AVM Nick Kurth, were presented at the awards ceremony organised by the Greater London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.
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