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Southampton UOTC
From ARRSEpedia
Southampton UOTC comprises of A & B Coys, B being 'basic' Coy (MTQ1) and A Coy being 'advanced' Coy (MTQ2). SUOTC is an all 'infantry' unit, changing from the 3 tier system (inf, sigs, eng) in the late 80s.
Suotc recruits mainly from Southampton University but also from The University of Portsmouth, Bournmouth University, Winchester University & Southampton Solent, more recently students from Brighton university have entered the unit - however only come to weekends and have their training with a local TA unit (due to the distance in travel).
Known around the country (or at least in OTC circles)for wearing the famous 'Pink & Blacks' which have become a target of beer steals at otc events up and down the nation. These rugby shirts are reserved solely for those who have completed a full year in the unit - so the shirts stay with 'committed' people.
Southampton has a mixed reputation amongst other UOTC's (also the UAS/URNU), some see it as an example of how an otc should be whereas others view it in a more disdainful view. This possibly coming from the ability to drink until morning and still win the following days activities (note. Sailing, Rugby, army competitions)
Southampton UOTC takes sports relativey seriously (depending on the level of intoxication), the Football team has been successful - winning the 4 div cup for the last 7 years. The Rugby team has had success as has the Hockey team. By far most successful are the sailing and shooting teams, boasting a large haul of trophies over the years between them.
One thing that all the teams have in common is the ability to lose to Exeter UOTC most of the time...
Officer cadets in the unit have organised many high profile expeds around the world examples are Gambia (Ex. Gambian Sapper), Peru, Greenland, Corsica and India. These usually consist of an underying challenge accompanied by excessive levels of alcohol consumption...thus bringing the reputation of the SUOTC to a new country!
