How 4 Regiment RLC Coped during COVID-19 Pandemic

This article discusses how 4 Regiment RLC, a regiment of the British Army's Royal Logistic Corps, coped during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores their strategies, objectives, and services offered to support the National Health Services and other government agencies. The article also highlights the British Army's supply chain strategy and the role of 4 Regiment RLC in ensuring the supply of PPE kits and medical equipment.

How 4 Regiment RLC
Coped during COVID-19
Pandemic

Table of Contents
Topic: How 4 Regiment RLC is coping during the COVID-19 pandemic......................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
The British Army Supply Chain Strategy..............................................................................1
The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Objectives and Strategy....................................................2
4 Regiment RLC Strategy and Mission Before Being Deployed...........................................3
Strategy for the RLC core objectives on ongoing operations.................................................3
4 Regiment RLC Objectives and Strategy..............................................................................4
Supply chain...........................................................................................................................4
Services offered by 4 RLC.....................................................................................................5
What is The NHS Learning from The British Army in The Covid-19 Crisis?......................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
RECOMMENDATION...................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

Topic: How 4 Regiment RLC is coping during the COVID-19 pandemic
INTRODUCTION
The 4 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps is basically a regiment of the British Army's Royal
Logistic Corps which provides Close-Support Logistic Regiment based at Dalton Barracks in
Abingdon, Oxfordshire. This 4 Regiment RLC forms a vital part of 101 logistic Brigade along
with a vital part of operation for Army’s warfighting division. The main operation of 4 Regiment
RLC comprises of providing vital ammunition, rations and fuel to meet the meet the needs of
Combat Arms Unit which forms the front-line of British Army in order to keep them moving
during battle time. At present the whole world is facing the virility of COVID-19 and resilience
of corona virus and lack of vaccine has made it a global pandemic with unprecedented strain on
the resources of nation. Thus, National health services require support from regiment RLC and
procurement department of Army to closely work with them in order to re-tasked them to secure
with PPE kits and medical equipments and resources for the nation. The current assignment
consists of a description about the British Army Supply Chain Strategy along with discussion
about the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Objectives and Strategy. Further, an analysis of 4
Regiment RLC Strategy and Mission before Being Deployed and Strategy for the RLC core
objectives on ongoing operations is also made in current report.
The British Army Supply Chain Strategy
The military supply chain strategy comprises of a cross-functional approach for
producing, procuring and delivering all needed products and services for military material
application which comprises of many suppliers, sub-supplier, funds flow and internal
information. The current global pandemic has lead most adverse effect on efficiency of operation
of supply chain management and many suffering and difficulties are faced by government
agencies and organisations (Blog: The Impact of Covid-19 on Freight Logistics and Supply
Chain Management, 2020). Further, the WHO has also warned the British orgnisation regarding
serve and mounting disruption which is affecting the global supply of PPE because of rising
demand and panic buying f PPE kit across the world. Thus, to meet the supply of PPE kit and
other medical equipment as supported is needed by NHA thus, 4 regiment RLC is working
closely to meet the supply of PPE kit and other medical equipments for the nation to manage the
current shortage challenges (Coronavirus: PPE stocks were in chaos . . . then army got a grip,
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2020). Thus, a key role is played by British army to support supply of PPE kit. During this
period to ensures supply of needed kits and medical equipments almost 90,000 square meters of
exhibition hall space has been fitted out by the British army with the framework for about 80
wards, each with over 40 beds to meet and fulfill the supply of medical beds for nation. Further,
some 500 fully-equipped beds along with facilities of oxygen and ventilators, were also put
provided and supplied by the British Army with capacity for another 3,500 beds and required
equipments to maintain smooth supply chain management during the pandemic of COVID-19.
Effective planning forms the most fundamental part of supply chain of British army to
prepare for a range of scenarios to meet national level strategic planning along with setting a
coordination and balance with local resilience forums to provide more effective support to local
authorities and administration during time of this emergency. The another vital part of British
Army Supply Chain Strategy comprises of effective communication to coordinate effectively
with the regional responses to ensure better supply and needed support. Further, near around 700
military logisticians along with well skilled engineers, doctors and nurses with fully equipped
medical technicians and more are appointed and provided as a part of British Army Supply
Chain Strategy to work with the NHS in order to design, deliver and operate the facility at pace.
Thus, an evaluation can be made that the effective British Army Supply Chain Strategy plays a
vital role in managing spread and control of corona virus and also supported treating of patients
with COVID-19 through providing aid with military logistics and planning with initial capacity
is 500 beds when it opens next week and 4,000 beds a week later to meet the need and demands
of nation.
The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Objectives and Strategy
The main objective of Royal Logistic Corps comprises of promotion of effeciency in order
to support fraternity and relief for needed and eligible personnel. The another vital objective of
Royal Logistic Corps comprises of promoting professional excellence within the Corps with the
main motto and aim of leading its soldiers and officers with the best military logisticians that is
possible to provide. Apart from this, the strategy of Royal Logistic Corps is to provide a focus on
professional engagement with external logistics organisations from industry, academia,
professional bodies and the professional media to ensure better supply management and meet the
needs of the nation. At present during the time of this global pandemic the main strategy and
objective of Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) is focused towards providing aid and support to NHA
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and other government agencies to cope with this emergency through ensuring effective supply
and management of medical kit and other needed equipments during the times of COVID-19.
4 Regiment RLC Strategy and Mission Before Being Deployed
The main mission and aim of 4 Regiment RLC before being deployed is to ensure
national security and meet the needs of British army troops to cope up with external aggression
and internal threats in order to maintain peace and security at border along with meeting needs of
citizen at time of any pandemic or emergency. The main strategy of 4 Regiment RLC comprises
of providing support for professional development to engage with best industry and Academia to
gain and allow better understanding of the wider commercial logistics environment to ensures
smooth and effective logistic supply chain management to meet and cater needs of British Army.
Strategy for the RLC core objectives on ongoing operations
The ongoing operation of RLC is to develop better strategies and framework to support
NHA and other British government agencies to overcome and ensure effective supply chain
management during COVID-19 Pandemic through providing needed PEE kit and other medical
equipments. To ensure achievement of above stated objectives effective strategies are formed to
set a better coordination among People & Ethos along with best possible Exploiting Technology
with effective External Integration and Communication during COVID-19 to ensures effective
supply chain and management of needed medical kit and equipments (The UK Armed Forces and
COVID-19, 2020).
The strategy for achievement of objectives and cope with COVID-19 comprises of an
action plan which enlaces military agencies to work in close collaboration with other deployed
government departments to sail and overcame through the challenges faced during corona virus
pandemic. The strategy consist of dealing with infrastructure facility to ensure effective daily
operations along with determining its susceptibility in crises which facilitated formulation of an
effective crisis management plan. Further, the another crucial strategy to overcame current
pandemic situation by 4 Regiment RLC comprises of entraining and adopting pathological form
of organizational culture as it would lead to have enhancement in efficiency of RLC during
current pandemic. This strategy of adopting pathological culture during pandemic would lead to
core involvement of personnel of organisation including its leaders and other staff to plan and
coordinate with human resources that is crucial and vital way to overcome and face challenges
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the adoption and implication of onion model is also
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vital strategy and framework of RLC which allows this organization to handle uncertainties and
other emergency and difficult situations in more prominent and effective way through embarking
on the mission to support and help to the UK citizens. Apart from this, a 4 RLC used a range of
processes to improve its operations which includes more effective provision for offering and
leading prominent medical services along with protective equipment and other essential
resources while relying on a well-planned logistics support in the entire U.K
4 Regiment RLC Objectives and Strategy
The main objective of 4 Regiment RLC comprises of maintaining the effectiveness of
government response and British military personal to provide and ensures better equipped and
support for medical staff to overcome and response effectively towards pandemic of COVID-19
(The Royal Logistic Corps 4 Regiment RLC, 2020). Further, the main objective of 4 regiment
RLC comprises of supporting and providing a support and guidance for all citizens of UK to
effectively meet and overcome the current pandemic by the means of keeping them calm and
ensuring proper and effective supply management to meet the required need and resources for
COVID-19 patient in UK.
The strategy to achieve these set objectives comprises of providing effective training and
extended development process to military personnel to remain stand ready to provide vital
support for Britain’s National Health Services also including the Care Homes, and effective
support facilities for the citizens of UK to overcome and support them during threats of diseases
faced during the current global pandemic including Covid-19
Supply chain
The royal logistic corps are the Army professional logistician who keep trac over the field
army marching, flying helicopter and moving their vehicle in order to supply everything needed.
The personnel from RLC support the Army by land, air and sea with their motive i.e. “We are
everywhere, always”. The main aim of this regiment is to look after the logistical supply and
distribution requirement while controlling the supply and transport out of area of conflict. For
this they use several sources like courier and postal services, port and maritime, movement
control, fuel storage, vehicle supply specialist and many more (Soldiers supplying Police
Officers on the beat. 2020). Other than this the 4 RLC regiment also helped a lot during the
pandemic by helping general public to deal with this corona virus related issues.
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As the police remain frontline each and every day to deal with the pandemic and due to
this, they require Personal Protective Equipment to stay safe. So, with the help of central supply
chain operated police and the regiment Royal logistic corps ensures that each police officer and
staff who are at the duty as frontline role must get the PPE kit. For this the soldiers of RLC have
been working with the NHS’s supply chain hub within the Daventry, Northamptonshire, along
with the civilian workforce. With the increasing issue of COVID 19 cases it has been found that
more PPE kit required at several places and for this the soldier are kept o duty with some
additional capacity so that no place remain left unsecure.
Hence, for this the 4 RLC soldier who went through several vehicle they use for providing
their logistic services to the NHS and other sources in order to gather the PPE kit for the people
who are in need such as front-line heroes who are on duty to safeguard the citizens. Apart from
the physical delivery of PPE kit, the British Army reservists are also using their skills from their
job role in order to create a e-portal for helping the health care workers to find as well as order
the PPE kit for free (Coronavirus: Royal Logistic Corps Helps Deliver PPE Across UK. 2020).
This army regiment i.e. 4 RCL supported in designing a system along with the eBay which is
named as Herculean effort by Major Mukhtar who work for google and also a reservist for 16
Air Assault Brigade. This portal is now get accessed by around 45000 different health care
providers who are now using the portal and PPE kit. This system allows that the customer who
order for PPE kit can receive it within two days of their order.
Services offered by 4 RLC
The main priority of regime remain toward protecting the public from each of the
unprecedented time. The 4 RLC perform har work toward ensuring that they remain ready,
resilient and responsive at the same time to deal with all the challenges related with the corona
virus (SUPPORTING THE NATION, 2020). The 4 RLC sever the citizens of UK in many
manner t the time of corona virus pandemic which mainly includes,
 The 4 RLC soldiers deliver assistance at the time of COVID 19 by delivering the
diagnostic research equipment and also in collecting and delivering the medical
equipment from number of location from South region of country.
 Around 75 drivers and 45 mates of driver as a part of defence help in managing the
supply chain of NHS for oxygen so that iot can reach to the patients ion timely manner.
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 Remain connected with the citizens through several channels like Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram etc. to keep them inform here the things are changing, cancelling or postponed
which includes the recruitment and training updates.
 As per the condition of people due to corona virus, government has ordered several
thousands of ventilators to be delivered and many of the ventilators are to be airlifted
within UK. For making them supplied in timely manner to hospitals and other health care
institutions 4 RCL helped a lot.
 The regiment also supported Local authorities within Cumbria for setting up an additional
recovery centre for the people who actually get recovered from COVID 19 but still
require the medical assistance. In Cumbria around 5 recovery centres are build up that
help in reducing the pressure of local hospitals.
What is The NHS Learning from The British Army in The Covid-19 Crisis?
Government throughout the world are seeing for help from the military in order to deal
with the spread of COVID 19. In this regard the UK ministry of Defence also ordered the
soldiers to implement in this regard so that better services can be provided by the needy people
throughout the country in this pandemic. They are working from building up new hospitals to
delivering of oxygen and taking up the strains off employees at hard pressed for the NHS supply
depots. The soldiers of 4 RCL are tend to be the major saviour for country in this pandemic with
their quick accessible support and delivering of equipment and other help required to people on
timely manner (What the NHS is learning from the British army in the covid-19 crisis. 2020). In
health services tasks involves such as planning new services or changing those services over
months and even years ago while getting more engaged with the patients and other service users
as per the changes and investigated information. So that best possible services can be deliver in
future perspectives. On contrary to this 4 RLC soldiers are known for instant move as they
mainly spend their lives while working with he unexpected scenarios. So, it can be said that the
NHS must learn this skill from the British army so that they become able to take up more quick
actions and be able to effectively deal with this pandemic.
As during pandemic, the British Army was assigned with range of tasks to be performed
which in turn increases their work pressure but they work effectively and supply all the resources
on timely manner. This is so because the NHS is work over the plan which is decided prior to
time which in turn sometime restrict to take up quick actions on unusual condition. While on the
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other side British army work over sudden cases which are not known in advance. This teaches a
lesson to NHS that their learning, knowledge and expertise must always remain alert and ready
to act. Another thing to learn by NHS from British army is to maintain a chain of command
which help in working over each task in well disciplined manner. The NHS has been away from
the command and control which is actually the culture of organisation. As per the current
scenario the NHS must focuses toward directing their leadership in term of guidance and support
to their medical staff in order to get their maximum efforts in this pandemic.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned data it can be summarised that to deal with COVID 19 and
supporting people the 4 RCL regiment supported a lot by aiding in making things available
which are required by the medical staff, frontline police officers and other people. These army
force of UK supported in ensuring that the medical equipment as well as other safety kit by
maintaining a better supply chain system throughout the country. This supported a lot in aiding
the medical staff to provide better treatment to the people and supporting them in recovering
soon.
RECOMMENDATION
As per the data gathered above it has been found that 4 RCL regiment is performing well
in supporting NHS to offer better services to the people who are infected with corona virus by
supplying medical equipment on timely manner. but as the situation is getting more critical due
to increase in cases of Corona virus, following are the steps that can be taken for future course of
action,
 The 4 RCL can collaborate with institutions that are involve in courier services so that the
delivery time of PPE kit and other instruments like oxygen can be delivered easily and
timely manner.
 An application can be created which help in connecting all the medical stores together
over a single network with the help of which the medical aid can be deliver to the people
from their own locality instead of moving to different locations.
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REFERENCES
Books and journal
Anthony S. Fauci, M. H. (2020). Covid-19, Navigating the Unchartered. The New England
Journal of Medicine
Zhi, Z. L. (2020). The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019 novel Coronavirus
diseases (COVID-19) in China. Pub.med.gov, 145-151
Online:
Blog: The Impact of Covid-19 on Freight Logistics and Supply Chain Management. 2020.
[Online] Available Through:<
https://midlandsinnovation.org.uk/Press-Releases-2020/blog-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-
freight-logistics-and-supply-chain-management- >.
Coronavirus: PPE stocks were in chaos . . . then army got a grip. 2020. [Online] Available
Through:< https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-ppe-stocks-were-in-chaos-
then-army-got-a-grip-vnxqp5djt>.
Coronavirus: Royal Logistic Corps Helps Deliver PPE Across UK. 2020. [Online] Available
Through:<https://www.forces.net/news/coronavirus-royal-logistic-corps-helps-deliver-
ppe-across-uk>.
Soldiers supplying Police Officers on the beat. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://medium.com/voices-of-the-armed-forces/soldiers-supporting-police-officers-on-
the-beat-be54c6f3d4d9>.
SUPPORTING THE NATION. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/covid-19/>.
The Royal Logistic Corps 4 Regiment RLC. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-logistic-corps/
rlc-regular-units/4-regiment-rlc/ >.
The UK Armed Forces and COVID-19. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2020/the-uk-armed-forces-and-covid-19 >.
What the NHS is learning from the British army in the covid-19 crisis. 2020. [Online] Available
Through:< https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m2055>.
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