Cadets from our region’s University Officer Training Corps (OTC) gained unique experience of airborne military medicine on a week’s field exercise with 16 Medical Regiment earlier this year.
The Colchester-based regiment is known as the Airborne Medics and provides specialist pre-hospital support to the Parachute Regiment, often in challenging front-line environments. The cadets from Cambridge University OTC—which covers several other higher education institutions in our region too—joined 16 Med Reg for an intensive programme of hands-on experience very different from medical school lessons.
Throughout the week, officer cadets flew in aircraft including a US C130-J Hercules and observed parachute medical supply drops. One drop included a trial of innovative methods for delivering blood products to troops in the field.
The exercise, over the summer, began dramatically, with cadets taking turns as simulated casualties. This role reversal offered the students a valuable perspective on emergency medical care from the patient’s viewpoint. One particularly memorable experience saw cadets strapped to the floor of a Hercules (as pictured below) in a realistic simulation of in-flight medical treatment.
Beyond clinical skills, the programme highlighted the crucial role of logistics in delivering effective front-line medicine. The cadets received practical training in vehicle maintenance and acquisition techniques. This knowledge proved timely when their transport vehicle suffered a puncture during the exercise.
When not acting as casualties, the officer cadets practised initial casualty assessments under expert supervision. Senior medics from the 16 Med Reg guided them through complex procedures, including emergency airway surgery on training mannequins.
“This was an experience over and above anything we get routinely exposed to during medical school,” said Officer Cadet Bailey, one of the CUOTC students who took part. “It was an opportunity that extended our experience and knowledge of medical practice in the British Army.”
The CUOTC group comprised students from different universities and years of study, all united in their appreciation for the unique learning opportunity. The cadets expressed their gratitude to both CUOTC and the Airborne Medics for making the exercise possible.
Building Partnerships with 254 Med Reg
CUOTC’s commitment to expanding medical training opportunities extends beyond 16 Medical Regiment. Last February, officer cadets joined 254 Medical Regiment at Anglia Ruskin University’s Chelmsford campus for specialist teaching on mass casualty events.
The day-long programme focused on triage systems and their effective implementation. Morning sessions brought together CUOTC cadets with students studying paramedic science, medicine and biomedicine. The interdisciplinary group received instruction on triage procedures, basic bandaging, urinalysis and medical innovation.
The afternoon scenario tested the cadets’ leadership skills in a simulated emergency. They responded to a fictional knife attack at a freshers’ fair, managing an unknown number of casualties, with officer cadets taking on group leadership roles.
OCdt Bailey was again in the thick of the action managing a casualty sorting station—a critical position where patients are reassessed and prioritised for evacuation.
The exercise marked the first time many cadets had overseen such a large-scale clinical situation, providing invaluable leadership experience in high-pressure medical scenarios.
Cambridge University OTC aims to give officer cadets medical experience again in the future by strengthening its partnership with 254 Med Reg. Officer cadets can look forward to more opportunities to develop their understanding of military medicine during the coming year.
CUOTC is recruiting Army Reserve Officers and NCOs. If you’re interested in joining the team, contact amanda.ferguson266@mod.gov.uk to find out more about these rewarding volunteer roles supporting the next generation of military medical professionals.
