An employee from a Huddersfield engineering firm swapped tools for guns and the factory floor for wild moorland in a special exercise run by the military.
Manufacturing engineer Matthew Brooke, 23, from Lepton-based Reliance Precision took part with other organisations from across the region in a demanding three-day course held at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Strensall, York.
The event, which is designed teach leadership and team work skills, involved working in teams on a variety of challenges ranging from launching a search and rescue mission for an RAF downed pilot, recovering a vehicle, evacuating a casualty and learning to cook in the field.
The exercise, called “Executive Stretch” was run by civilian employees who also serve as Reservists in the Navy, Marines, Army or RAF across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The three-day course, organised by reserve unit, 4th Bn the Yorkshire Regiment, was designed to provide a unique opportunity for business people to enhance their personal leadership, teamwork and communication skills – as well as gaining an insight into the transferable skills that Reservists develop during similar training exercises.
Matthew, of Almondbury, said: “The whole exercise was enormous fun, although incredibly tiring as well!
“The environment and challenges you’re thrown into are extraordinary, and you learn so much – about yourself as much as the leadership and teamwork skills.
“The soldiers around us were simply superb – they looked after us brilliantly and gave us all an experience we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”
More than 50 staff from organisations across the region took part in the exercise.
For more information about the role of Reservists or to find out about becoming an Adult Volunteer in the Cadet Forces, please visit the RFCA website at: www.rfca-yorkshire.org.uk
