Cambridge UOTC
Learn skills for life, develop attributes valuable to future employers, make the kind of friends you will keep for life and earn decent money in a prestigious part-time 'job' while you study. It is all about leadership development for students - and it offers highly CV-able additional attributes.
Cambridge University Officers' Training Corps is a British Army unit serving university students at Cambridge and in East Anglia. It engages in military and adventurous training, and students enjoy a lively social life. Currently, it has particularly strong links with University and national sport; but also with Defence, politics, the Cambridge Union and the arts.
There is no call up commitment and no obligation to military service now or in the future. Whether you intend to join the Army or not, Cambridge UOTC has a strong record of intellectual, sporting and leadership achievement.
Recruiting for academic year 2012-13 will begin in October 2012. This year (2011-12) has seen a considerable upsurge in interest both online and at the autumn Fresher's Fairs of Cambridge University, UEA, ARU and other higher education colleges. The next opportunity to join CUOTC will be at the Fresher's Fairs in October 2012 (for academic year 2012-13). There is no liability to call up, students are paid for their attendance and may resign at any time. More detailed information is available on the 'Join Us' page and look out for our stand at these autumn fairs.
The CUOTC is dedicated to developing personal and leadership skills in university students. We engage in both military and adventurous training, as well as havin
g a lively social life, and aim to teach students skills that are transferable to any chosen career.
University sport is particularly well supported by the Army at present - for example with team coaching and practical resources for individuals competing at a high-level for the University (comparable to Army standard).
Our aim is not to recruit, but we do encourage and assist those with interest and aptitude in considering a Regular Army career or continuing to serve in the TA after graduation.
CUOTC spent last summer conducting an Annual Camp in Kent and France, and other military and adventurous training expeditions worldwide. This year has seen trips to Morocco, the US (Fort Lewis, Washington State) and the Cascade Mountains in Canada.
Last year, one 4th year medic conducted her elective with the Army in Belize and this year another travelled to Brunei. 2012 sees more overseas travel, a strong involvement in the London 2012 Olympics and an Annual Camp on the west coast of Scotland. Summer canoeing, parachuting, paragliding and other expeditions are taking place in mainland Europe.
CUOTC also maintains firm links with its alumni through an association known as The Light Blue Volunteers (LBV). Many alumni have gone on to achieve great things in industry and the Army, and we keep in touch through regular events. The present Head of the Army, Chief of the 
General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, is a former member.
The history of the Cambridge University Officers' Training Corps dates back to 1803 when students at the University formed the 'Rifle Volunteers' in apprehension of French invasion.
The Cambridge University Rifle Volunteers (CURV) grew to around 500 members around the time of the Boer War and a detachment was sent to South Africa to augment the Suffolk Regiment, the only university unit ever to see active service.
This action earned the CURV the Battle Honour 'South Africa 1900-01'. The CURV became the CUOTC in 1908.
For more information, please contact us at:
Cambridge UOTC
TA Centre
Coldham's Lane
Cambridge
CB1 3HS
Telephone: 01223 247818
E-Mail: CambridgeOTC-Adj@mod.uk