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Meet the new Commanding Officer of 158 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps

158 Regiment RLC is a modern and diverse Army Reserve Transport Regiment providing general transport support to its paired Regular Army Regiment, 7 Regiment RLC in Cottesmore, as well as the wider Army.

Rob spent his childhood years in Stamford and was a member of the Army Cadets for four years as part of the Stamford School Combined Cadet Force (CCF) before he left for university.  He plans to support the CCF at his former school as part of the Regiment’s Youth Engagement Programme, once the current COVID restrictions ease and he can do so safely.

Rob spoke to us about why he took on the role of CO: “Command is a privilege and I’m especially proud to have the opportunity to command the nearest regiment to my childhood town of Stamford.  In my opinion, the Regiment is one of the best Army Reserve regiments, its professionalism and its commitment to its people makes command a pleasure and is absolutely the pinnacle of my career so far.”

Developing soldiers who are not afraid of failing

Rob has high expectations for the 158 Regiment, he explains: “For me personally, I’m looking to develop the Regiment and our soldiers to become the best role models, people that are not afraid of failing, working hard, learning and inevitably winning, whether that be getting promoted, realising an incredible sporting achievement or just becoming a better version of themselves.  The Regiment is operationally focussed and our soldiers are ‘Agile & Ready’ regardless of the task, whether that be Mobile Testing Teams for the COVID response or deploying soldiers to Cyprus on United Nations Peacekeeping missions, it’s all part of the diverse nature of the modern-day Reservist.  For those looking to join the Army Reserve, it is a challenge but very rewarding, you have the ability to give back to the community whilst being part of something bigger.”

Lt Col Rob Futter and wife Susannah

Rob has had a long and varied career within the Army, he told us: “After serving with the Territorial Army at university I took a regular commission in the RLC in 2000 before serving in 3 Commando Brigade and 16 Air Assault Brigade, completing three tours of Afghanistan and then being the Second in Command at 29 Regiment RLC in the Cotswolds.  I have had staff appointments at the Joint Force Headquarters where I deployed to Libya on Op ELLAMY, this assignment also included Non- Combatant Evacuation operations in Egypt and Bahrain during the Arab Spring.  More recently I completed appointments in Defence Supply Chain & Operations Movements and worked on the Supply Chain Transformation & Expansion Programme at Defence Equipment & Support.”

During Rob’s free time he is also the proud Chairman of RLC Rugby.  He says, “I can’t wait for Army Rugby to return, once it does I aim to get the Regiment playing again and hopefully get an Army Reservist to represent the Corps in the not too distance future.”

Find out more about 158 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps.

If you are interested in joining the Army Reserve, you can find out more here: https://eastmidlandsrfca.co.uk/reserve-forces/