The man who can source anything in Afghanistan
12 Nov 09
As if looking after yourself on an operational tour isn't enough, one Major in Afghanistan has the responsibility of ensuring that 400 soldiers within 10 The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (10 QOGLR) have everything they need.
Major Mark Lavers on a quad bike in southern Afghanistan
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
As Quartermaster of 10 QOGLR, Major Mark Lavers is currently deployed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, and is responsible for the life support of British and Gurkha soldiers based in Camp Bastion.
His job involves ensuring that there are spare parts for a 300-strong fleet of mission-essential vehicles while at the same time maintaining the largest stores of ammunition and communication systems in theatre.
He is known as the 'man who can' due to his ability to source anything.
He said:
"The kit and equipment that the soldiers of today have is second-to-none, and is the best it has ever been. It is continually evolving, and it is a full-time task keeping up with all the developments."
With a team of only 20 soldiers to achieve all of this, Maj Lavers is also responsible for tracking the movement of all the regiment's equipment in and out of Afghanistan, reaching all the way back to the United Kingdom:
"In all my 25 years in the Army this is the most challenging and rewarding operational tour that I have been on," he said. "The scale of my job is much bigger here than it is back in Aldershot.
"Working 24-hours-a-day, my team is permanently on the go, ensuring that the regiment is ready to go on its next mission to resupply the Forward Operating Bases on the front line. I have an excellent Gurkha team working for me to help ensure we achieve this."
"Working 24-hours-a-day, my team is permanently on the go, ensuring that the regiment is ready to go on its next mission to resupply the Forward Operating Bases on the front line."
Major Mark Lavers
Managing a number of locally employed civilians on the camp is another important part of Maj Lavers's day-to-day job. They provide invaluable support, providing services from laundry and tailoring to equipment repair and catering.
Maj Lavers said:
"The locally employed civilians have really warmed to the Gurkha culture. They understand each other very well, and this has helped forge a close working relationship."
Maj Lavers has served with the Gurkhas for the last two years and talks passionately about his working relationship with these legendary soldiers:
"Working with Gurkha soldiers on operations is a real honour and privilege," Maj Lavers said. "They have adopted me as part of their family, including me in their cultural activities and celebrations. Fiercely loyal and brave, I could not think of a finer body of men to serve with."
Prior to joining 10 QOGLR in 2007, Maj Lavers saw active service in Northern Ireland, both Gulf Wars, Kosovo, and last year in support of the United Nations in Cyprus.
An Army Cadet on the Isle of Wight while he was growing up, Maj Lavers was inspired as a young boy to join the Army after hearing war stories from both his grandfathers who served in the Second World War - one was in the Royal Pioneer Corps and the other in the Royal Artillery.
Straight out of school, aged 16, Maj Lavers joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (a founding Corps of the Royal Logistic Corps) and has never looked back. Maj Lavers is due to return from Afghanistan in March 2010.