Medical support to the Caribbean
I’m MA Ella Gleason. I am in the Turks and Caicos Islands at the moment providing medical support for the UK team deployed out here
I’m on call 24/7, in case an incident was to occur involving members of the Royal Marine troop or Security Assistance Team whilst here, I would respond and be on the scene as quickly as possible to provide adequate medical assistance.
- Marines support maritime policing in the Caribbean
- British Forces in the Caribbean: Supporting our Overseas Territories
The Royal Marine troop are working closely with the Turks and Caicos Police Force providing specialist advice and additional manpower to deter any illegal migrants. This is essential as there is a risk that the migrants seeking to enter Island illegally could be bringing COVID-19 with them.
What does day-to-day life for me look like… well, I wake up relatively early to do some physical training before the weather gets too hot — it averages at about 30 degrees here every day. I’m a keen swimmer so I’ve entered a local sea swim competition which is happening next month, so I normally head down to the beach every morning to do a sea swim.
When I get back I see to any medical cases that need tending to, I carry out my checks on my medical equipment and I will also conduct medical training with the deployed GP on different medical topics every day. I’m also delivering medical training to members of the Royal Marine troop.
On a professional level, I found this deployment very rewarding.
I have been teaching the Royal Marine‘s medical topics such as drowning and gunshot wounds, just in case they need it. It's rewarding to be able to give them the knowledge on how to respond if something bad were to happen.
On a personal level, a highlight for me is probably while I was training for my sea swim, a couple of dolphins came up to me.
I was swimming in the sea with wild dolphins, this definitely has been my favourite deployments so far.
I’ve always loved travelling. So, after my A levels, I left school and did a year of travelling and really loved it. I decided I didn’t want a boring 9 to 5 office type job I just knew that wasn’t for me. So, I thought what better way to see the world whilst getting paid for it — the military.
I'm originally from Bournemouth and I decided to join the Royal Navy in November 2016. I went to HMS Raleigh, I then went on to do my medical training. Once I completed my medical assistant training in May 2018, I then spent 3 months on HMS Queen Elizabeth as the last phase of my medical training — where I sailed around the Mediterranean and stopped off in Gibraltar.
I then went on to my first draft which has been at Commando logistics regiment which is in North Devon.
Since then I’ve deployed quite a lot. I went to Albania, where I provided medical cover for people doing mountain training there. I then flew onto Oman and provided medical assistance to troops from 40 Commando in the desert. I then have to deployed to Norway twice, once in 2019 that once the beginning of this year.
- By sea, by land and by ice: Royal Marines in Norway
- Royal Marines take on the harsh conditions in Norway
And now I’m in the Turks and Caicos Islands. When I get back from here my next draft is going to be at 42 Commando in Plymouth.
If you get the opportunity go on deployment, go for it. The opportunities that are like this don’t come very often so when they do arise I would definitely grab it whilst you can. Life isn’t long.
I'm very proud to serve for the UK Armed Forces and have the opportunity to participate whilst deployed in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The UK Armed Forces continue to help protect the UK based at home and overseas despite COVID-19. The UK team out here recognise we have very important job to do in helping the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Knowing that I have the support from the UK public, including my family and friends it’s very important to me and I’m sure hugely important to all service personnel currently deployed in this difficult and uncertain time.
