Last Friday, 15 November, marked a new chapter in the history of the Army’s Medical Services, as the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) and the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) amalgamated into one unifying Corps, The Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS).
General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO ADC Gen inspects soldiers on the formation day parade.
Soldiers debut their new berets on parade.
Tokens were presented to personnel at the formation day parade in order to mark the occasion.
To mark this important event, 180 officers and soldiers took part in a parade in the grounds of their Regimental Headquarters on the Sandhurst Estate in Surrey, where they were inspected by the Chief of the General Staff (CGS), General Sir ‘Roly’ Walker.
We all stand here to witness the amalgamation of three incredibly proud, historic Corps of the British Army, now unified as one body the Royal Army Medical Service…
CGS said:
“We all stand here to witness the amalgamation of three incredibly proud, historic Corps of the British Army, now unified as one body the Royal Army Medical Service.
“And what a fitting venue to mark this occasion, your Regimental Headquarters behind you, this place stands as a guardian of your heritage, the focal point for your people and now the beating heart of the new Royal Army Medical Service.
“And in this era of great power competition, and the volatility that is spreading around our world, the importance of being able to shape our own future has never been more vital.
“The Royal Army Medical Service is now a singular, cohesive Corps. One that reflects my ambition and is now ready to face down the challenges of the modern battlefield.
“Today, we are not merely changing structure, you are forging a new chapter in your shared legacy. A chance to simplify, to unify and to embrace a cultural shift which brings us together as one inclusive and representative Corps. By embracing change and uniting your strengths, you now assert your right to define your own future standing firm against external pressures that seek to dictate the path.
“Throughout my career I have had the privilege, the singular privilege, to witness at first-hand what it is that you do on the battlefield. Your efforts and your sacrifices were never more evident to the rest of the nation than during the global Covid pandemic. You all went above and beyond, supporting not only our Army, but also our nation in a time of unprecedented crisis. And you now carry forward those successes and with them the opportunity to build on them, to set the new standards of excellence, and enhance our Army’s fighting power.”
We looked back to when the first Corps was formed – the Royal Army Medical corps – in 1898, it was during the reign of Queen Victoria – and that’s one of the reasons why we chose the name Project Victoria.
The new Corps has been formed under Project Victoria as a part of the British Army’s modernisation vision, with the approval of His Majesty The King. The amalgamation will ensure that the next generation of the Army will continue to be supported by a modern Corps capable of delivering comprehensive healthcare on exercises and operations at home and abroad. The underlying ethos of its founding corps will remain.
Corps Colonel Graham Johnson explained how Project Victoria came to fruition:
“We looked back to when the first Corps was formed, the Royal Army Medical Corps, in 1898. It was during the reign of Queen Victoria and that’s one of the reasons why we chose the name Project Victoria.
“We asked the questions: Is it the most efficient and effective way of doing our business in a modern healthcare setting, with multi-disciplines, professional health workers, and the National Health Service linkage? Is it right and proper to have three independent corps in that modern healthcare setting?
“We went through the process and the answer we came out with was no. We were united for a common purpose, we wear the red cross together when we’re on operations, when we tactically can, so we’re united by the red cross anyhow, we were united by a belief of humanity for all in crisis and conflict, and therefore maybe it’s just a natural evolution and a recognition of the reality of the modern day, that coming together and wearing the same cap badge was the right and proper thing to do for a modern Army looking forward.”
During the Parade, the personnel ceremoniously removed their berets, and replaced them with the new RAMS beret, which has been designed to incorporate elements from the three previous Corp head dresses. The Athol grey colour comes from the QARANC, while the Victoria green cap badge backing comes from the RADC. As for the capbadge itself, the Crown of the Sovereign and laurel were formerly common to all Corps, while the blade of a sword came from RADC, the serpent – the international symbol of medicine – from the RAMC and the Danneburg cross from the QARANC.
At the heart of this institutional modernisation will be culture and behaviour change to develop a single, agile workforce, appropriately educated to operate, fight, and adapt in uncertainty that will deliver leading-edge developments in treatment and care.
The flags of the three former Corps were taken down, and a singular Royal Army Medical Services flag raised in their place, comprising the three colours of Dull Cherry, from the RAMC, Athol Grey, from the QARANC and Victoria green, in a nod to the RADC and to Project Victoria, after which the colour has been renamed.
Master General Army Medical Services Major General Hodgetts said:
“At the heart of this institutional modernisation will be culture and behaviour change to develop a single, agile workforce, appropriately educated to operate, fight, and adapt in uncertainty that will deliver leading-edge developments in treatment and care.
"The Royal Army Medical Service will deliver modernised, multi-disciplinary healthcare offering opportunities for better organisation culture and a unified, inclusive, and representative corps. Personnel will be able to work across all areas of the Royal Army Medical Service, maximising the talents of our people to enhance our fighting power which is central to delivering the government’s first duty - keeping our nation safe.”
