NOT YOUR AVERAGE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY

Aberdeen Universities Officers’ Training Corps (AUOTC) is an Army Reserve unit, but it’s not unlike a university society. AUOTC gives students the chance to develop their leadership skills and take part in rigorous military training – and get paid for it.

TIME COMMITMENT 

Aberdeen Universities Officers’ Training Corps is designed to fit around the academic calendar.  Training takes place on a Tuesday evening and on various weekends.  A spring camp of 7 days consisiting of adventurous and/or military based activities takes place in April and an annual camp lasting 2 weeks takes place at the end of May. Officer Cadets are encouraged to attend as much training as they can comfortably manage around their studies.     

PROGRESSION

Aberdeen Universities Officers’ Training Corps offers complete military training modules directed by Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and is delivered by Regular and Reserve Army instructors.  First year Officer Cadets are encouraged to complete all necessary first year modules so they can progress to intermediate training.  This is where the real fun begins!

AUOTC members are classed as Officer Cadets and are part of the Army Reserve. Many go on to secure leadership roles in the Regular Army, but they cannot be mobilised for active duty and have no obligation to join the armed forces when they finish university.

BEYOND THE EVERYDAY 

AUOTC isn’t your average university society. Members get to grips with basic and advanced military techniques, from map reading and radio procedures to camouflage and weapons training.  Other military training can involve visits to Regular Army units for familiarisation on exciting pieces of equipment or competition based exercises.

The corps also runs an active sporting programme, with teams for many major sports – and like any university society, there’s a lively social scene, from formal dinners to fancy-dress parties.

The Drums and Pipes are very much integral to the corps and in addition to corps based activities they have attended formal military parades such as the Lord Mayor's Show and Beating Retreat in London, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and The Basel Tattoo.  The Drums and Pipes are unique in that Cadets get paid to play!