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Altcar Camp Army
Open Days
Photos and
report by C. Trollope.
NOW in its
5th year, the finest “Meet the Army Days” took
place over Tuesday, 4 October to Saturday, 8 October 2011, at
Altcar Training Camp, Hightown, Merseyside. We were invited to
attend so that we could see what was taking place, so on 6
October 2011, we took up the offer.
The weather on
the day we visited varied between sun, very high winds and rain
on most of the days, yet coach loads of interested young people
from the Merseyside were undaunted by the continually varying
weather conditions.
ACE organiser, Major David Cook told the press that:-
"This year’s event has been a tremendous success, not only did a
record number of students and teachers attend, but also the
feedback we’ve received has been overwhelming. If by attending
ACE only a handful of students have a clearer route to getting
on to their career path or they have been inspired to set
themselves goals all our efforts have been worthwhile."
A spokesperson estimated that at least 1200plus pupils and
teachers attended during the 4 days of displays and exhibitions.
ACE consisted of a range of action packed event all hosted by
the Army’s many regiments including those within Infantry,
Engineering, Medical, Artillery and Music and was also supported
by a evening careers clinic in conjunction with the Army and 150
invited companies.
Major John Miller TD MCGI, the Army Careers Adviser
(Merseyside), had laid on a stupendous show of military hard
ware and exhibitions in tents surrounding a very generously
large performance arena. He spent the majority of his time
advising and talking to as many people as he possibly could.
Every branch of Her Majesty’s Army was represented, with
extremely keen soldiers only too willing to answer questions
from the invited visitors.
There were guides available, who made certain that one saw all
that one wanted to see as well as much more besides. Shooting
ranges, military band playing and giving displays, climbing
walls, assault courses, boxing, and wireless controlled toy
tanks were among the exhibitions for the interested young people
to see and operate. There was a young disabled pupil with one of
the visiting schools, who was most impressed at the way the
regular troops answered and advised in answer to questions.
The RAF was also present with 2 training cockpits for the
visitors to experience. Pamphlets and magazines were freely
available, as well being offered. The Merseyside Army Cadet
Force had a manned exhibit, while the St John Ambulance was in
attendance, with an assessment ambulance. Friendly and keen to
talk about serving in the Army helped to make the visit a very
happy and informative event offering those attending lots of
career advice.
Lieutenant Colonel Leanda Pitt OBE, Commander of Regional
Recruiting in the North West added that:- "The decision of
which career path to take is an extremely difficult one for any
young person to make not least in the current climate. Many
students who had considered their next steps to enter further
and higher education may now, due to high tuition fees, think
that they have to forfeit their academic development and that’s
really not the case. The Army continually invests in an
individual’s military career, whether that means enabling them
to carry on in education at college or university through or
Army Further Education Bursary Scheme, attendance at one of our
Army Further Education Colleges or benefiting from a wide range
of sponsorships including; Army Officer, Army 6th Form, Army
University or medical Dental Cadetship."
Well done Major Miller and the Team. If you want to know more
about the UK's Armed Forces go to The Ministry of Defence's
website.
For further information regarding ACE or to find your nearest
Army Recruitment office visit:-
army.mod.uk, or you can
also call them on:- 08457 300 111 or text:- 61110 with the
following:- ARMY06.
Click on
here
to see our photograpic coverage of this fantastic event.
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