Date started at MPCT April 2020 Experience

John Hughes left his home town of Llanelli in South Wales in 1992 to join the Army at the age of 18. After completing phase 1 basic training in Lichfield, Staffordshire and phase 2 combat infantry training at Strensall in North Yorkshire, he joined the 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Wales (1RRW) in 1993 with his initial posting being Tern Hill, Shropshire.

John spent 10 exciting and varied years with 1RRW which included further postings with the battalion to Northern Ireland on Operation BANNER, London on public duties and Germany in an armoured infantry role before being posted to the Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC(C)), North Yorkshire as a Corporal in a Section Commander/Instructor role training adult recruits. During John’s infantry career he was fortunate to have gained a broad range of experience in roles such as foot soldiering, peacekeeping, covert surveillance, reconnaissance, armoured infantry and as an instructor – roles which enabled John to visit countries such as the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, America, Canada, South Africa, Germany, Bosnia and Ukraine on exercises and operations.

On completion of his posting to ITC(C) and having developed a passion for the training and development of others, John decided to transfer to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in 2002 as a Regimental Specialist before being posted to the Army Technical Foundation College (ATFC) in Arborfield, Berkshire as a Section Commander/Instructor, training 16-17 year old apprentice trainees wishing to join the various army technical Corps.

On promotion to Sergeant in 2005, John remained within the Arborfield Garrison and became a Platoon Sergeant at the School of Electronic and Aeronautical Engineering (SEAE). A responsibility of his was to lead on non-technical military training for phase 2 trainees during the periods between their technical courses. John created and developed a training programme for over 1000 trainees annually and in doing so was recognised for this and his wider role as Platoon Sergeant by being awarded an MBE for “innovation and inspirational leadership”.

In 2007 John was posted to 1 Close Support Battalion REME in Osnabruck, Germany on promotion to Staff Sergeant and immediately commenced pre-operational training for a deployment to Iraq (Operation TELIC 11). Soon after arriving at the battalion, he was appointed Company Sergeant Major (CSM) for the deployment in acting Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) rank. On return from this challenging yet successful tour, John was posted to the Army Foundation College, Harrogate (AFC(H)) in 2008 as a Quartermaster Sergeant.

On promotion to WO2 in 2010, John was posted to Bielefeld, Germany and became the CSM of 2 Field Company, 101 Force Support Battalion REME; a posting which included deployments to Cyprus as Operation Company CSM of the British contingent of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and as CSM of a REME vehicle fleet and equipment Summer Repair Programme (SRP) at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).

John’s final assignment before completing his 22 year Colour Service was as a Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) in the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 4 Close Support Battalion REME in Tidworth, Wiltshire which included a Brigade scale exercise at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada.

On transitioning from the Army John broadened his career portfolio in operations and facilities management before becoming the London Regional Operations Manager (ROM) at MPCT in April 2020.

John has a passion for the outdoors and was for most of his military career a participant and coach of cross country and athletics, an instructor in canoeing/kayaking and a Joint Service Mountain Expedition Leader (Summer) (JSMEL(S)) – military qualifications that enabled him to expand his experience in the delivery of adventurous training. A particular highlight of his is having led an expedition of Mount Kenya in 2011 where he used the expedition to deliver a Summer Mountain Proficiency (SMP) Distributed Training course – a first of its kind in the British Army due to his course being completed on a high-altitude mountain.

Since leaving the forces John has become a Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) Accredited Expedition Assessor in support of his local Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent.

Since retiring from the Army, John has settled in Tidworth and enjoys spending his spare time with his wife and 2 daughters.

Date started at MPCT 2017 Experience

David Atkin joined MPCT in January 2017 after spending over two years working with Challenger Troop, based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

During his service, David was a Section Machine Gunner and was deployed to Afghanistan in January 2010, in which he was injured. After numerous weeks in hospital and bouts of Rehabilitation at DMRC Headley Court, David was Medically discharged from the RAF Regiment in December 2011.

David has enjoyed taking part in extreme challenges for his chosen Charity Help for Heroes. This has seen David Trek across the Sahara Desert and also to Everest Basecamp.

David has recently competed at the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games and was shortlisted for a Sun Military Award.

He lives in Watford with his partner Monique, who also works for MPCT.

Experience

Terry served with the Royal Marines for just over four years.
His initial draft was at HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland as part of the security for Britain's nuclear deterrent.

He deployed to Iraq in 2011 as part of the security team protecting the Royal Navy and USMC, working within the Iraqi Naval Base in Umm Qasr.

After returning to Britain, he enrolled onto a Signaller's course at CTCRM, and was drafted to 42 Commando, Bickleigh Barracks, Dartmoor.

While there Terry took part in two joint training exercises in America with the USMC and French Canadian marines.

After leaving the Corps, he spent five years working as a builder for his family business in the south of England.

While working as a builder, he studied evenings and weekends to gain his level 2 fitness instructor, and level 3 personal trainer qualifications.
He has also completed 4 qualifications with the UK strength and conditioning association in Twickenham.

Terry has a keen interest in physical training, and spends a lot of my free time in the gym.

Date started at MPCT 2020 Experience

Gareth joined the Royal Engineers in 2003, training as a Communications Specialist prior to deploying to Iraq in 2004 with 22 Engineer Regiment. Based out of Tidworth he undertook Adventure Training around the world, including skiing in both the Rockies and Alps, as well as a two-week trek through the outback of Tasmania. Having completed his minimum term of service he re-enlisted in 2008, joining the Royal Artillery as a Forward Observer with 19th Regiment (The Highland Gunners), completing a tour of Afghanistan as part of a Fire Support Team. As well as managing extended communications networks for the Battlegroup’s offensives.

Upon a medical discharge in 2013 Gareth was undertaking a solo cycling expedition across Australia raising funds for Help for Heroes, before cycling across Europe later that year for Barnado’s. Since then he has attempted to cycle non-stop from John O’Groats to Lands End in 2014 but withdrew after traversing Scotland in 24 hours with an injury. Gareth was able to complete this 937-mile challenge in 2019, over a 10-day period while raising awareness for two cancer charities. In between these events, he has gained a BA (Hons) in Photography, where he cycled for a month covering Eastern Europe documenting their transition from communist rule. More recently, he has completed a PostGraduate Certificate in Education at UCL.

Living in Battersea Gareth is continuing his education, currently enrolled on a Masters course at UAL where is plans to focus more on paradox of the image in society. During his studies he will continue to develop his teaching with MPCT and as a Scout Leader in his home town of Brentwood.