A soldier from Northamptonshire has been recognised for his dedication and excellent service to NATO by being named as their Allied Command Operations (ACO) Military Member of the Year for 2022
Sergeant (Sgt) David Jeavons, who is now a Permanent Staff Instructor of a hybrid Regular and Reserve Military Intelligence Battalion (MI Bn), was nominated for his work at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), where he coordinated NATO exercise preparation and training.
To me, the award feels like a fantastic recognition for work conducted over a complex year. It is not just recognition of myself, but of the team working around me Sergeant David Jeavons
“To me, the award feels like a fantastic recognition for work conducted over a complex year. It is not just recognition of myself, but of the team working around me.” said David, whose citation said he ‘demonstrated a high degree of integrity, vision and intellectual capacity far above his rank’.
David, who was born in Kettering, grew up and was educated in Northamptonshire, receiving a BA (Hons) Degree in War Studies from the University of Wolverhampton in 2009 before joining the Army in 2012.
In July 2013 he was assigned to 2 MI Bn as a Weapons Intelligence Specialist and deployed to Afghanistan on Op Herrick where he served as part of an explosive ordnance disposal team, exploiting IEDs and insurgent weapon systems. On return to the UK, he joined the Training Wing, delivering training, mentoring and assessment of potential Weapons Intelligence Specialists.
David was assigned to 4 MI Bn 2016, in a strategic support role before being seconded to Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), a 3 Star UK Headquarters supporting worldwide operations. Post-secondment, he deployed to Estonia on Op Cabrit in a counterintelligence and security role, and to Iraq on Op Shader.
He was then assigned to ARRC where he deployed on several large-scale NATO exercises, as well as attending the Swiss military Intermediate Leadership course, a multi-national environment course where he was able to teach international leadership principles to Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO) from multiple Partnership for Peace nations.
The principal purpose of NATO’s Military Member of the Year program is to recognise people for the quality of their work, customer service and productivity. David was nominated because he consistently worked above his rank and delivered insightful intelligence to the Commander of ARRC, wider NATO and UK Defence whilst developing a culture that fostered professionalism, teamwork and innovation and ensuring Intelligence was at the forefront of NATO and the Field Army.
Lieutenant General Nick Borton, the Commander of ARRC, explained why David’s nomination was so important; “Now more than ever we need to recognise the hard work and contribution of our SNCOs. They often quietly go above and beyond, with little fanfare or recognition.
“Sgt Jeavons is one of those people who time and time again was willing to step up, on numerous exercises as well as providing support to ongoing operations, while also being an exceptional leader and team player. I am delighted that his outstanding work has been recognised by this prestigious award.”
David’s citation reads, ‘Demonstrating a high degree of integrity, vision and intellectual capacity far above his rank, he was always happy to help and consistently inspired and encouraged others. This is an outstandingly effective SNCO, a superb role model and an asset to any organisation - formal recognition is a fitting testament to his commitment to HQ ARRC and NATO over a particularly demanding period.’
To gather more information on a career in Army intelligence, click here.