20 April 2011
An Army chaplain has finished ahead of his peers following an exclusive course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Reverend Gary Scott, 49, finished ahead of 34 other entrants on the Professionally Qualified Officer (PQO) Course to become an Army Officer. He now holds the rank of Captain. It is believed that he is the first chaplain ever to come out on top of the ten week course.
The PQO course is for new British Army Officers who hold professional qualifications, such as doctors, vets, lawyers, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists and chaplains. The course is designed to familiarise PQOs with military life and to prepare them for operational deployment.
"I was ordained 25 years ago into the Scottish Episcopalian Church," explained Gary just before the passing-out parade. "And began as Chaplain to the Grenadier Guards last October following my Army chaplaincy training at Amport House in Hampshire.
"I am really excited about it all," he added. "It will mean a complete change for me and is certainly a new challenge. But I am ready for it and feel I have a great deal to offer."
The Belfast-born Chaplain has worked at parishes in Peebles and Penicuik and was head teacher at Tweedbank Primary School in the Scottish Borders before his career change. He also spent several years working with the Army Cadet Force.
He was presented with his first place award by the inspecting officer, Major General Mike von Bertele, The Director General of Army Medical Services.
(c) MoD
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