MSUOTC MEMBERSHIP – THE BENEFITS
1. EMPLOYABILITY
Civilian employers are looking for someone that has that extra edge over the other applicants for a job. MSUOTC recognizes that not everyone who joins us wishes to go on into military life so not only do we prepare you for becoming an officer in the British Army, we also provide a very useful opportunity for you to make yourself more employable in the civilian marketplace.
Leadership and Management Skills:
The whole focus of an OTC is to encourage and develop the leadership potential of every individual who joins it. Leadership is a vital skill required by any young officer in the military, and the British Army is a universally recognized top training provider. You will learn the key qualities required of a leader and then be given the opportunity to put that training into practice with guidance from operationally experienced staff.
In addition, from the very beginning of your time at the OTC you will also be expected to develop useful management skills. This starts with management of yourself, your equipment and time. But it progresses into managing other people and unit resources which looks good on your CV and gives you that important ‘edge’ over other graduates.
Decision Making:
In B Company, during your second year of training, part of the syllabus covers planning and decision making. This is critical to your role as a potential leader. You will learn a formalized process of analysing facts and details which you will then turn into a plan of action. It is a useful skill which can be applied to any aspect of your life.
Interview Techniques:
An employer will most likely judge you and select you following an interview process. The British Army is no exception and as part of our preparation training for the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) we teach you how to approach an interview and then give you the practical experience of being interviewed as part of our training. For further information on AOSB go to www.army.mod.uk/join/selection/officer.aspx
Teamwork:
Right from the word ‘go’ you will learn what it is like to be part of a team. During Selection Weekend you will be placed in a syndicate and be expected to start working as a team to achieve your aim. Following selection, you will be placed in a section (a military team of 8 people) within A Company and you will work within that close knit section throughout your basic training.
There are many other opportunities to develop your team spirit through competitions, overseas expeditions and adventure training activities. Many life long friendships have been created at MSUOTC through the strong camaraderie that is built up as you learn to work hard and play hard with your ‘team’ always there to support you.
2. ADVENTURE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Every year MSUOTC runs a number of UK and overseas adventure training activities. Here is a list of some of the AT activities provided by MSUOTC over a 12 month period:
Italian Dolomites – Hill Walking & Climbing (July 2008)Egypt – Diving (August 2008)
Scotland (Hadrian’s Wall) – Hill Walking (October 2008)
France – Downhill Skiing (January 2009) *This is an annual event.
Wales – Hill Walking (February 2009)
Gosport/Channel Islands - Sailing (March 2009)
South Africa – Hill Walking, Kayaking and White Water Rafting (April 2009)
North Devon – Climbing, Hill Walking, Kayaking, Kite Surfing, Horse Riding (June 2009)
Bavaria – Climbing, Hill Walking & Kayaking (August 2009)
If you are into adventure training then you will have ample opportunity to go on courses and gain qualifications in order for you to plan and lead your own expedition with the unit.
3. SPORTS
MSUOTC is actively involved in a number of sports and fields its own teams for rugby, football, hockey, netball, cross country running and pentathlon. Other sports activities include boxing training and rock climbing (University Barracks has a large climbing wall facility which is used every Thursday by the Climbing Club).
Every week qualified Physical Training Instructors run a full ‘circuits’ session for general fitness and every member of MSUOTC has daily access to a range of gymnasium equipment.
As a military unit we also have our own successful Shooting Team. It trains on the 25 metre indoor range and takes part in a number of UK and overseas multinational competitions each year including Arizona and the Czech Republic.
4. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
MSUOTC thrives on the classic ‘work hard and play hard’ approach to life. With every challenging military training weekend or competition there comes the opportunity to have some fun when the hard work is finished. At University Barracks we run our own exclusive ‘club’ with bar and catering facilities. The ‘Officers’ Mess’ is only open to members and invited guests with a monthly programme of parties and events organized by the Mess Committee – this is a small group of officer cadets who are selected to arrange various entertainments on behalf of the unit. There are plenty of monthly quiz nights, fancy dress parties and discos as well as several big annual events:
Regimental Dinner Night – Held every November at University Barracks and on the final night of Annual Camp in June. Everyone gets a chance to dress up in Mess Kit, Dinner Jacket or long dresses and take part in a traditional military dinner night. This means Regimental Silver on the table, a military band playing in the background, a Loyal Toast from Mr/Miss Vice(!) and ‘Pass the Port’ at the end of the meal. It is a fantastic evening and very different to anything you will experience in the Student’s Union!
Former Members Party/Dinner – MSUOTC likes to keep a link with those who have previously served in the unit. Every year Former Members are invited to come back to University Barracks where entertainment is laid on for the evening. It gives them a chance to mix with the current members, catch up with old friends and relive a few memories!
MSUOTC Ball – A large scale event held at University Barracks each spring with a specific theme. This year the theme was ‘Arabian Nights’ with belly dancers, a fire eater and snake charmer providing the entertainment. This was followed by a latel night disco and a few brave individuals making it to the ‘Survivors’ photograph and breakfast at 6am!
Parents and Friends Evening/Dinner – Remembrance Sunday is an important date for MSUOTC and the unit goes on parade in Manchester City Centre as part of the military commemorations. On the Saturday evening before Remembrance Sunday parents and friends of MSUOTC members are invited to come into University Barracks to see the facilities that we provide, hear about some of the activities and enjoy MSUOTC hospitality.
Charity Functions – University Barracks is a great place for holding social functions. MSUOTC occasionally uses it for the advantage of charitable organisations including the Army Benevolent Fund and other local charities such as Manchester’s ‘Cash for Kids’ Appeal run by 103FM. We hope to expand these opportunities over the next few years and are encouraging members to broaden our work within the local community in particular.
5. COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONS
The British Army runs thousands of courses every year ranging from adventure training activities to languages and other academic studies. Qualifications in rock climbing, hill walking, basic ski proficiency and sailing are all easily obtainable through the OTC. In addition you can become a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) or a civilian recognized First Aid provider. Many other courses are available on request..
6. EXTRA INCOME
Once you have passed Selection and you receive an Army Number you will be paid for all the compulsory military training that you do as well as many of the additional activities that are listed above. The current rates of pay are as follows:
| Officer Cadets | On Enlistment - £37.40 per day |
| On Passing MLDP 2* - £44.60 per day | |
| 2nd Lieutenant (TA Group ‘B’) | £59.12 per day |
* (MLDP – Military Leadership Development Programme)
Annual Bounty (2Lt & OCdts) – Awarded on completion of 27 mandatory training days and having passed a range of compulsory basic military tests.
1st Year - £146.00
2nd Year - £169.00
3rd+ Year - £205.00
AND FINALLY….
We have tried to describe to you the many reasons for joining MSUOTC. But what we can not really describe to you via the internet is the feeling of the hairs going up on the back of your neck in the half light of pre-dawn as you quietly slip into position with your section ready for the big Dawn Attack.
We can’t really describe the combined feeling of exhilaration and terror as you launch yourself off the top of a waterfall and fall over 40 feet into the water below watched by an amazed group of local Zulus in South Africa.
We can’t really describe the feeling of extreme pride as your team succeeds despite being physically and mentally drained from the effort required.
You need to push the boundaries and get out of your comfort zone to really experience life – and if you do it surrounded by a team of like minded people then the sense of achievement is multiplied many times over!