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Nottinghamshire ACF appoint new Commandant

Colonel Burt spent nearly 36 years in Notts ACF. He served 3 years as a Sergeant Instructor prior to commissioning in 1985 eventually assuming command of the nearly 700 Cadets and 162 Adult Instructors in the County in September 2013.

On the final day of Annual Camp, held this year at Otterburn in Northumberland, Alan reflected on his years in the ACF and addressing the Adult Instructors he said, “My success as Commandant is directly linked to the support of the Officers and Instructors. The cadets are the true winners in our partnership and I am sure they thank you also.

“The County is in capable hands and I would like to wish you all the very best for the future and I look forward to seeing the County move from strength to strength under the command of Colonel Duncan.”

Colonel Southall joins Nottinghamshire ACF from Derbyshire where he served 2 years as their Deputy Commandant. Prior to joining the ACF, Duncan served  in the Army Reserve (continuing to do so with Headquarters, 7 Brigade) where he served with 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment and more, recently, was a Staff officer at 16 Air Assault Brigade, Commanding Officer of the Army Training Unit (East) as well as tours as a Company Commander with East Midlands Universities Officer Training Corps and 4 PARA (including Company Command on Operations on Telic 7 in Iraq). He received the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 2003 and the clasp to the VRSM in 2008. Before joining the Army Reserve Duncan served as a Regular Army Officer in the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Light Infantry in the UK and Germany.

Outside of the ACF Colonel Southall is an Inspector for Leicestershire Police where he has held appointments such as an Operational Command Chief Inspector, Force Control Room Inspector and Local Policing Unit Commander. Married to Anne, with two Children, he is a keen kayaker, mountaineer, sailor and skier with a passion for music (guitar).

The new Commandant said, “I am delighted and privileged to assume command of Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force. I take over from Colonel Alan Burt, who has done a sterling job in driving forward and modernising Nottinghamshire ACF, and a unit which is held in high regard both locally, regionally and nationally. My focus will be on our Cadets and Adult Volunteers, developing them and delivering a first class ‘cadet experience’ for all.

“I have been stunned by the dedication and hard work of Adult Volunteers in the ACF that I have witnessed over the last two years. Likewise with Cadets, who display the qualities and values and standards of the ACF, which are highly sought after by employers, once they leave the ACF.  I will continue to further develop community engagement between Nottinghamshire ACF, local communities and the business community as well as with the Regular Army and Army Reserve in our area.”