A FORMER Teesdale School pupil has been recognised for “being on the top of her game” by getting Army training restarted safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Procedures devised by Captain Karen Thomson, who finished at Teesdale School in 1991, are now being used across the Ministry of Defence.
She was awarded the Director Land Warfare Coin for Excellence by Joint Military Command (Wales) and the Infantry Battle School.
The captain, who is based in Brecon, was commended for the advice and direction she offered to both headquarters and deployed units on the ground. Capt Thomson said the award meant a great deal.
She added: “Following the cessation of training, it was hard work to ensure that our practices and processes were up to standard to face the challenge of operating in a Covid-19 environment so that we could resume training.
“I am fortunate to be part of an excellent team who are well-motivated, exceptionally driven and used to dealing with challenges and hardship. To be recognised for my contribution as delivering best practice with the work shared across defence is a great honour.”
A military spokesperson said: “This has required in-depth and rapid original thought – Capt Thomson’s work has been routinely identified as best practice with the procedures shared across defence. A recent environmental health study showed that Capt Thomson is at the top of her game and as a direct a direct result of her efforts training has now re-started with no significant Covid-related concerns.”
Capt Thomson’s proud father Graham Moore, a retired sergeant major who still lives in Barnard Castle, said: “It is absolutely out of this world. It is a really good achievement.”
