Institution news
Lance Corporal Sean Hancock was named Top Class 1 Student from the Vehicle Mechanic specialism for 2021/22, and Staff Sergeant Sam Haseltine claimed the award for Top Artificer Vehicles for 2021/22. They both received their awards at their units in November and were congratulated by their colleagues and the Institution’s Defence Liaison Officer.
Sean, who joined the REME eight years ago, is now serving at 1 Royal Irish Regiment within the Light Aid Detachment (LAD) at Tern Hill, Shropshire. Just promoted to Corporal, Sean has no regrets about his choice of career. He said: “I enjoy working with my hands and always liked tinkering with bikes and then cars. Joining the REME was a perfect way to get a trade behind me and do what I love.”
During his career Sean has worked on tracked vehicles, has taken part in a large exercise in Germany alongside US personnel and contributed to a project on the new MAN vehicle conversion. He now works with high mobility vehicles amongst others.
Not only has Sean excelled at the practical aspects of his job, but he achieved an average score of 99.15% in his Class 1 upgrader course. The highest of the year. In recognition of his achievement, Sean received a certificate and a prize of £250.
Sean added: “I am delighted with the award and would like to thank you for being selected for the IMechE prize of Top Class One Student (VM upgrader) 2021/22.”
His Officer Commanding Captain Jack Collicott said: “Lance Corporal Hancock is a talented engineer and a true ambassador for the REME. Not only a star in the classroom but he also leads by example on the shop floor, leveraging his thorough technical understanding to mentor those around him. He is due to leave the 1 Royal Irish Regiment Light Aid Detachment shortly and we wish him every success in the future.”
Sam Haseltine joined the REME in 2007. “My dad had a classic car and I always had a love of vehicles. So being a mechanic was the natural choice,” said Sam.
Having particularly enjoyed his time as a Corporal, Sam embarked on the Artificer route, which culminated in a demanding course in which he achieved distinctions in all but one module. The course results in a Level 5 qualification in engineering, and a posting to a demanding job role.
Asked about the course, Sam said: “Learning has come naturally to me – all the engineering and maths - it’s what I enjoy. Plus, at the time the course was a nice respite from the restrictions and worries of Covid, it gave me a reason to get up to Lyneham.”
Sam is now at 4 Royal Logistic Corps LAD at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon. He is the main liaison with external contractors on a range of vehicles including MAN trucks. He explained: “I bring in contractors where needed, but I also make sure that the team learn as much as they can alongside the contractors and build their engineering skills. My role is to advise and mentor the tradesmen and bring the cohort up to the level of the senior engineers in the LAD.”
Looking forward, Sam has aspirations to work within a project team or procurement team in DE&S, and push his skills and knowledge ever further. Not content with that, Sam is also topping up to a Bachelor’s degree, with an eye on achieving Incorporated Engineer registration in a few years’ time.
Speaking on receiving his certificate and £250 prize, Sam said: “It is an honour to have been selected for this award. I have had the pleasure of sharing this training year with really strong REME Artificers. To have been recognised as the top of these gives me a great sense of achievement.”
Captain Liam Bridge, Sam’s Officer Commanding, said: “It came as no surprise that SSgt Haseltine was a top performer on the Artificer course; Intelligent, proactive and adaptable he has had an excellent first year at 4 Regiment RLC LAD.”