Air Branch reservist gains 1st class honours degree

A reservist from the Royal Naval Reserve (Air Branch) based at RNAS Yeovilton who is also an Ambulance Service Paramedic, has gained a first class honours BSc degree in Health Studies from the University of Plymouth.

Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Andy Ransom joined the Royal Navy in 1983 and served on HMS Fife and the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. Andy also spent time ashore based in Belfast and the Falkland Islands. He also served on HMS Fearless as a reservist during the hand over of Hong Kong in 1997.

On leaving the Royal Navy Andy joined the Ambulance Service in 1992 and qualified as a Paramedic in 1994. He currently works on Ambulances and Rapid Response cars responding to 999 emergency and urgent medical calls.

During his service with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) Andy has also served as an Aircrew Paramedic for 10 years with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and is still a member of the reserve team.

“The hardest part of completing my degree was time management.”

said Andy.

“Having a full time job, a second career in the RNR and my family meant achieving deadlines was sometimes a little sporty. But knowing that I was achieving something that I’d never thought possible drove me on: a trait my naval service has taught me I believe.”

Andy is also not shy when up for a challenge; he is a Royal Yacht Association Day Skipper with over 5000 sea miles under his belt.

He recently went to the Caribbean, where he was part of the crew who sailed a Challenge 67 yacht around the islands of St Lucia, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent & the Grenadines as part of a joint services sailing expedition.

In the past he has also supported British forces in Balkans taking troops sailing around the Adriatic coast of Croatia during Op Palatine.

“Completing my degree has been hard work and my family are very proud of my success. I used the extensive knowledge gained from both my Naval and Ambulance Service experience to assist me to complete my degree.

"My patients benefit from the professional ethos I was taught as an Aircraft Handler and our branch motto is transferable to my civilian career: "Nostris in manibus tuti – Safe in These Hands.”