Excellence in REME

Major Charlotte Hayes

Currently posted to DE&S at MOD Abbeywood as Operations Manager, Light Wheels and Protected Mobility, Maj Charlotte Hayes achieved her CEng in 2020 and is in the middle of her MSc. However, she still finds time to dedicate herself to REME Sport, in particular cross country, for which she was awarded Full Sporting Colours. This month, Major Hayes talks about running, REME women in sport, and being a team.

What made you join the Army?

At school I loved Design and Technology, in particular electronics. On leaving school I did a Technician Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical and Electronic Engineering; I went on to do my degree at Loughborough, again in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I have wanted to be an Engineer for as long as I can remember but in an active role, not sat in an office. I started looking into ‘other’ types of engineering jobs. On looking into the Army it was an absolute no brainer; if I was going to join it had to be REME. All through RMAS, I never wavered. I was determined to join REME. I did not want to waste my engineering qualifications; they were not easy to achieve! 16 years later and still REME!

Why was this the right decision for you?

Joining REME was absolutely the right decision for me; I wanted to use my qualifications and gain more. I became an EngO in 2007 and this year received my CEng. The professional progression is second to no other Corps. Also, I absolutely love working with other technically-minded Officers and Soldiers. REME was and still is a natural fit for me. I love that we are a team - we have a rank structure but when it comes to engineering knowledge and skill it can often be the advice of a junior tradesperson that we rely on, making us all valued members of the team.

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

I have had many highlights in my career. I think my warmest memories are of being a Forward Platoon Commander. I had a mixed platoon of Vehicle and Recovery Mechanics; the dynamics and characters made even the hardest days end with laughter. We spent a lot of time together due to completing pre-tour training, a unit move to Northern Ireland and deploying on Operation Herrick 10. The members of that Platoon will forever be my friends and I always smile when I think of them.

How does Maj Hayes differ from the Miss Hayes who first came to the Army and the Corps?

Miss Moat joined the Army in 2004. I feel that Miss Moat, although now married and a Major, is still there in my core. She is much more confident and capable. That confidence has come from facing new challenges, making mistakes and learning from them. I think REME is one of very few Corps that offer formal education to its Officers as they progress through their careers, setting you up for success before you start your next job. As a 2Lt I completed my Junior Officers’ Course, as a Lt I completed the Junior Officers Equipment Course and attachment to MDBA, prior to passing my viva and achieving EngO. Before LAD Command I did the REME Captains’ Course and prior to Company Command I did the Company Commanders’ Course. At every level I have been formally trained and supported. Never have I felt unprepared.

You have become involved in Corps Cross Country representation over the last 16 years, including managing the female teams in 2009/2012 and 2018present. What is it that has driven you as a cross country runner?

A lot of people don’t like running. At school I ran cross country and was a member of the local running club. On joining the Army I found that my love of running was an asset. Fitness is crucial. Being reasonable at running certainly made even the hardest PT sessions manageable! I love going out for a run, I love the smell of the air, wind or rain in my face, the views and the feeling of being free. I use

running to manage my well-being. Whilst running I can ease my anger or resolve any conflicts in my head and I always come back feeling happier.

You made the history books as the first REME Female to be part of the Army Half Marathon winning female team in 2011. Now, your management has seen the Corps field its strongest female teams to date across Junior, Senior and Masters. What is the secret to your success?

Wow, I didn’t realise that I was the first REME female to be part of the winning Army Half Marathon team. At the time I was pretty fit; I was also in the Army Triathlon team and we had just won the Inter-Services Championships at Olympic distance category. I was actually using these events as training for Ironman 70.3 in Wimbleball, again representing the Army.

I don’t really have a secret to success other than always giving things a go and doing what I enjoy. I always try to encourage others to have a go and join in. The old adage of it’s the taking part that counts and it doesn’t matter if you’re not very good now, practice makes perfect!

I cannot take the credit for fielding the strongest female teams in the Corps history. The credit must go to the females in the Corps. We have few females in the Corps but we always come together and support one another. If we need a team the call goes out and is answered. We always try to field the best teams we can. You’ll have hockey players filling places in the netball team and rugby players giving swimming a go. I find that the we are proud to be REME and will always come together to help field a team. Technology helps too - most of the females in the Corps that like to run have joined the REME Strava Group. This is a great way to share our runs, track performance and it acts as a great incentive to go for a run - can’t be left behind now.

2020 was a challenging year for everyone, but particularly for those who are used to training regularly with others and attending events. How did you continue to train and improve throughout the pandemic?

As mentioned, running is my way to soothe my stress and anger. It’s my happy place. Over lockdown I participated in all the REME and Army organised virtual running events and encouraged many to join in by advertising on social media and word of mouth. Over the internet I managed to get some of the REME Cross Country runners to film clips of passing a baton to advertise the Army-level races. These clips made it into the Army-level advertising for the virtual races, which in turn generated an intertest in the events. Seeing someone you know in the advertisement can often encourage a person to join in to.

I am a member of my local running club. I encourage all Soldiers to join their local clubs, as running with others is great fun. Also following a programme and entering events outside of the Army brings great improvement.

Part of being involved in a Corps sport is balancing it alongside your military and engineering career. How have you balanced the different aspects of being in REME?

I have done sport since the day I joined REME. I think the structure is already in place to support this.

I have done seven years of Nordic ski seasons, representing the Army and REME. Every season I skied, I always took a team from the unit I was at. Developing Soldiers is key, so I have always found that my chain of command fully supported releasing me to ski as I was taking Soldiers with me - I was never going just for myself. The Corps also paid for me to do my Biathlon Range Management, Biathlon Coaching and BSAI Instructors course so that I could give back to the Corps and our Soldiers.

I don’t ski anymore as I have a young family, hence my switch to cross country and triathlon. I train a lot in my own time, but PT always compliments my training. Most sport in the Army is on a Wednesday and in 16 years’ service I have never been told that I cannot take Soldiers to participate or that I cannot go myself. REME really recognises the benefits that sport gives and, in my experience, never blocks it.

Balancing sport and work, I never found it difficult. My managers have also encouraged participation in sport and, as I love it, I always make sure I manage my time and responsibilities to fit it in.

What are your goals for 2021 as a REME Officer, sportsperson and in wider life?

Having achieved my CEng in 2020, I plan to build on my continuous personal development. My current job as an operations manager is a great opportunity to develop my project management skills. I am also in the process of writing my thesis for my MSc in Defence Acquisition Management, so I’m looking forward to finishing that and graduating! I never thought I’d do another degree, but again the Corps has supported my wish to do this.

In sport my current focus is running and half marathons - I want to see if I can excel at this distance again, but now in the veterans category! I am desperate to swim again and hope that REME will need my swimming skills, once I’ve dusted them off, for any competitions that we might be able to enter.

If you could sum up your life now, how would you do it?

My life is happy; I could ask for no more. I have a great career that has seen me progress in terms of professional qualifications and promotion. I am involved in a sport that I love. Plus I am married with two children. I think I have the right work, life and fun balance.