Hegemony

The way in which ideologies become dominant, through a careful, but subtle negotiation, between those in power and mass society.

What Did You Do? (Swansea University Version)

We all remember our first day at University, traipsing around the freshers fair wondering what each society has to offer. A lot of us would have also passed a bunch of students dressed in military uniform assuming that to join would mean signing up to a military career. Swansea student Josh Doyle-Tanner did exactly that and realised the latter was not the case.

Josh became one of the newest members of Wales University Royal Naval Unit. Combining his respective studies with a University experience like no other, he has had an exhilarating first term.

So far, in the URNU; Josh has been to sea upon a Royal Navy Warship, played a lot of rugby and spent a weekend in the Welsh hills on an adventurous training exercise. 'It's been a lot more than I expected, I didn't realise the scope of things you could do with URNU, I thought you would go to sea on the ship and go to Navy bases but it is so much more.' As well as all that, there has been the chance to get involved with some epic socials, the last of which was a black tie event at the Millennium centre in Cardiff.

This year Josh is most looking forward to a yachting expedition. He stated; 'I'm looking forward to Medsail, which is where myself and other URNU students get to help sail a yacht around the Mediterranean for two weeks.'

On top of all this Wales URNU have an upcoming sports competition, the Damage Repair Instructional Unit (a sinking ship simulator), weapons handling training, another sailing trip around the Canaries and Easter training deployments all to look forward to

Last year’s Summer deployment took the students around the Baltic and Europe aboard their ship HMS Express. On two week stints, those involved would learn many of the practical skills of seamanship, whilst also getting a chance to visit some of Europe's most famous cities, even getting paid for this privilege.

Contemplating a busy term, Josh said; 'I would say that URNU is an incredible experience with incredible people, I would most definitely recommend joining the URNU to my mates.' Mind you, the experience has not just been one big holiday. Josh still had to pass a fitness test at Britannia Royal Naval College, and has had to learn a lot about the responsibilities of leadership and chart work. But he believes all will be worthwhile, and Josh is certainly looking forward to the challenges ahead!

By Josh Fretwell

What Did You Do (Cardiff University Version)

We all remember our first day at University, traipsing around the freshers fair wondering what each society has to offer. A lot of us would have also passed a bunch of students dressed in military uniform assuming that to join would mean signing up to a military career. However, Cardiff student Felicity Box realised the latter was not the case.

Wales University Royal Naval Unit recruited another batch of freshers this academic year, and Felicity was lucky enough to be one of them. She has now completed an exhilarating first term, combining her respective studies with a University experience like no other.

Felicity admits that; 'If anyone had asked me a year ago; what would I be doing in my first year of university? I would never have been able to imagine that I would be sleeping on ships, learning to navigate and going sailing in the Mediterranean!'

Over the past couple of months the freshers have been to sea, undertaken a training course at the Britannia Royal Naval College, spent a weekend of adventurous training in the Welsh Countryside as well as getting involved with some epic socials. The last of which was a black tie event at the Millennium centre.

This coming term is going to be even busier for the students at Wales URNU. With an upcoming sports competition, weapons handling, sailing around the Canaries and Easter deployments all to look forward to.

The last Summer deployment took the students around the Baltic and Europe aboard their ship HMS Express. On two week stints, those involved would learn many of the practical skills of seamanship, whilst also getting a chance to visit some of Europe's most famous cities and even getting paid for this privilege.

Felicity certainly has no regrets about joining the URNU and is really looking forward to the challenges ahead. She claims that; 'URNU has already given me experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life, it's a great way to meet some really amazing people and to have opportunities

to do something a bit different with your time at university.'

By Josh Fretwell

REMEMBER!

Remembrance Weekend is a huge event upon the military calender. Full time Service Personnel, Reserves, Veterans and even Students get involved. You would have seen them marching in towns up and down the country on Remembrance Sunday. In Aberystwyth, it was Wales University Royal Naval Unit representing the Navy on this special occasion, remembering those from all services who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country.

Wales University Royal naval unit, or Wales URNU for short, is a military run organisation which offers Students from all walks of life a chance to acquire a wide range of skills from leadership to seamanship during their time at university. In an extremely competitive job market, these skills allow the students to stand out against other potential candidates.

Although based at HMS Cambria just outside Cardiff, the URNU ship HMS Express is affiliated with the town of Aberystwyth. Therefore a contingent from the unit always travel up to Aberystwyth each year to make a strong appearance at their affiliated town.

Midshipman Rebecca Saunders said "Having been brought up in Llanidloes, Aberystwyth has always been special to me and parading through its streets brings a very certain sense of pride. We've always felt very welcome, and as HMS Express is affiliated to Aberystwyth we feel very privileged to be part of the Remembrance parade."

However with pride comes a lot of hard work. Wales URNU were up at the crack of dawn on Sunday Remembrance to prepare their uniforms. Such a pristine look takes hours to perfect. By 9.30, the unit were ready to go, and formed up at the town hall. Marching towards the front of the parade, the Unit followed the Veterans around the town, which ended at the War Memorial. After attending a Church service at St Michaels, the students had the chance to chat with the Veterans at the British legion.

The Remembrance Weekend won't be the only time the Unit pays a visit to Aber this year. In the near future, tide providing, HMS Express will make an appearance alongside in Aberystwyth. The students will be tutored on the procedure needed to bring the Naval ship into port by the Ships-Company and the Captain Lieutenant Browett. This will be part of a number of exercises the students will undertake, and a chance for the public to get a close look at a Naval Warship.

By Josh Fretwell

What Did You Do In Your First Term?

We all remember our first day at University, traipsing around the freshers fair wondering what each society has to offer. A lot of us would have also passed a bunch of students dressed in military uniform assuming that to join would mean signing up to a military career. However two Cardiff Met students did exactly that and realised the latter was not the case.

Carys Bird and Mohammed Shararah became two of the latest members of Wales University Royal Naval Unit. Both have experienced an exhilarating first term, combining their respective studies with a University experience like no other.

Carys, studying an Art foundation degree spent the first part of her Christmas Holidays upon a Royal Naval Ship sailing up to Holyhead. On board she practised navigating, helming and even directing the vessel upon its course. Even though she felt a little sea sick to start with, Carys thoroughly enjoyed it, declaring 'it was a great experience'.

Over the past couple of months the freshers have been to sea, undertaken a training course at the Britannia Royal Naval College, spent a weekend of adventurous training in the Welsh Countryside as well as getting involved with some epic socials. The last of which was a black tie event at the Millennium centre.

This coming term is going to be even busier for the students at Wales URNU. With an upcoming sports competition, weapons handling, sailing around the Canaries and Easter deployments all to look forward to.

The last Summer deployment took the students around the Baltic and Europe aboard their ship HMS Express. On two week stints, those involved would learn many of the practical skills of seamanship, whilst also getting a chance to visit some of Europe's most famous cities and even getting paid for this privilege.

Next month Carys will be attempting the challenge of a sinking ship simulator known as the DRUI. A team of students will patch up holes in a rocking ship, whilst getting drenched in ice cold water, which gushes from the rafters. Although not every-bodies idea of fun, it certainly puts leadership and teamwork skills into practise. Is Carys put off by this? Absolutely not! On reflection Carys stated that; 'URNU is pretty much the reason why I am wanting to do a full degree. it is that awesome!'

By Josh Fretwell

As a member of Wales URNU, I am now the PR rep so all articles written for them will be posted on my blog :D!