Recently, 256 (City of London and South East) Multi-Role Medical Regiment (256 MMR) delivered Exercise Medical Endeavour at the Army Cadet Training Centre in Frimley. The exercise is an annual Employer Engagement event designed to provide medical professionals with insight into military life through a structured training day.
The exercise saw over hundred and eighty people compete in teams of ten, with two Reservists per team. The event followed a round-robin format, with participants rotating through a series of military-themed stands.
Several external units supported the delivery of the exercise. 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment EOD ran the mine clearance stand; C Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers delivered the map reading stand; and the 1st Battalion London Guards supported the Regiment Sergeant Major of 256 MMR in running the drill stand.
Throughout the event, participants approached each stand with enthusiasm. As the days progressed, teams visibly grew in confidence, developing new skills and strengthening their ability to work together. Strong bonds were formed both within single-trust teams and among mixed teams from different trusts and hospitals.
There were varied performances across the stands: some participants demonstrated excellent drill, while others clearly would not be destined for the Guards. On the map reading stand, some showed strong aptitude, while others struggled to navigate. Participants raced under camouflage nets in torrential rain while wearing body armour, helmets, and daysacks. And the camouflage and concealment stand produced memorable examples of both too little and far too much camouflage cream.
Shelter-building activities had participants working in pairs using ponchos, cords, and bungees. Some teams built low, tactical shelters, while others produced structures that looked more like circus tents. Elsewhere, teams crawled through wet paddocks to find safe routes through an improvised minefield. On the medical moulage stand, the casualty mannequin was well cared for, whether by experienced medical professionals or hospital support staff.
“Seeing so many participants genuinely enjoy activities that Reservists routinely undertake -and sometimes take for granted – made all the planning and effort worthwhile. The event was a success for both attendees and the Reservists who supported its delivery.”
– WO2 Leslie Hopping, Regimental Operations Support Officer, 256 MMR
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