Date started at MPCT 2015 Experience

Rob joined MPCT on the 3rd of March 2015 and currently works as a Regional Operations Manager on the Military Preparation School (MPS) provision. His role includes supporting MPS staff across Wales and England and maintaining all aspects of quality of the provision.

Rob was born in Caerffili and attended Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni and left in 2003. After school, Rob became a learner at MPCT Cardiff from January 2004 up until he joined the Royal Engineers in July 2004 at the age of 17. His experience with MPCT gave him an excellent insight into life in the forces and several valuable skills that aided him throughout his Army career.

While in the Army, Rob was based with 21 Engineer Regiment firstly in Osnabruck, Germany and then Ripon, North Yorkshire. He was employed as a Lance Corporal in an Armoured Engineer Squadron and as a Regimental Armoured Fighting Vehicle Instructor before being deployed to Iraq in 2007 as part of Op Telic 11. Rob was also fortunate enough to travel to Kuwait, Belize, Mexico, and Cyprus.

After leaving the Army in 2009 to continue his education, Rob graduated from the University of Glamorgan in 2013 with a first-class BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. In 2015, Rob completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Strength and Conditioning from Cardiff Metropolitan University and is an internationally accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Rob’s main hobby is Rugby; he played in the Welsh Premiership for several seasons as well as various teams during his Army career in addition to coaching. His other hobbies include road cycling and watching sport.

Date started at MPCT Oct 2019 Experience

After attending School and completing my exams I immediately started to pursue a career in the Army. Firstly I attended the Army Preparation Course situated in Gorseinon College in Swansea to work on my fitness and confidence.

February 2006 I joined the QDG and embarked on my military career which lasted 12years. I Deployed on three operational tours of Afghanistan carrying out different roles on each occasion. During my last tour I was an Advisor Mentor for the Regional Corps Battle School guiding Afghan Instructors within the Weapons Division.

My final posting within the military was at the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment teaching JNCOs as part of their Career Leadership and Management Course. it was during these later phases of my military career I settled on teaching a career I wanted to pursue full time.

Date started at MPCT Aug 2021 Experience

I am Cardiff born and raised, I left college late 2013 where I was studying aeronautical engineering. From here I applied for the British Army as it was an ambition I had in the back of my mind and took the plunge! January 2014 is when I went to phase 1 training in Pirbright and then to my phase 2 training in Bovington. Here I trained to become a formation reconnaissance soldier and expanded my mechanical knowledge further by gaining qualifications in armoured vehicle repair and maintenance.

Once I passed out of training I joined my regiment 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards in Paderborn, Germany. From here I did exercises in Bavaria and adventure training in the French Alps. Shortly after this my regiment moved back to the UK and settled into our new home in Robertson Barracks, Norfolk. As this was a quiet period I took advantage and did my winter mountain leader course in the Scottish Cairngorms. Once the regiment was set up again we deployed to Kenya, Sierra Leonne where I was part of anti-poaching security teams, California and operational tours to Poland on Operation Cabrit 3.

In my time spent in the army I reached the substantive rank of Lance Corporal, I applied myself to any course that was offered which led to me being offered a team leader posting in crick Howell as head of an outreach team. Here I really enjoyed engaging with the younger generation and guiding applicants through the process of joining the Army.

Upon leaving the Army in 2020 I wanted to pursuit my passion for strength training and strongman, so I studied my level 4 Nutrition course. Since completing this I have helped numerous amateur athletes get ready for sporting events as well as helping people make life style changes. I am also currently in training for upcoming strongman events in 2022!

When I seen the advert for MPCT it ticked all the boxes of what I wanted out of a job, it allows me to teach and spread my knowledge of how the current Army works. I hope to spend many years with MPCT!