DSUS Bursaries - Lt Finn Corcoran

After attending a military school, and taking part in the cadet forces for several years, Finn felt it was a natural step for him to join the military as a career. So, while studying civil engineering and after researching online to look at all the options, he settled on the Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship (DSUS) bursary. This bursary is helping to fund him through university in preparation for attending the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, to become an Officer in the British Army.

The Army offers a range of financial support packages, bursaries and scholarships to selected officer candidates during further and higher education. Find out about Finn's story, his current life in the Army Reserve, and how the DSUS bursary has given him opportunities he wouldn't have normally had.

WHAT IS A DSUS BURSARY?

The Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship (DSUS) scheme offers an opportunity for STEM Undergraduates interested in a future in the Army as Engineers or Technical Officers to gain financial support. Successful applicants will be sponsored through 3 years of university study.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY ROLE?

I am currently a British Army Reservist while I study. My job role is Headquarters and Support Troop Officer in 131 Commando Squadron, 24 Commando Engineer Regiment. I am in direct command of a Troop of Sappers (soldiers from the Royal Engineer Corps). I manage their careers and training so that they have both rewarding service and contribute to the combat effectiveness of the Squadron. I also have the wider responsibility of looking after and ensuring the serviceability of all of the Troop assets, mainly the armoury.

As far as an overview of my career goes, initially, I was an Officer Cadet in the University of London Officer Training Corps, (ULOTC). I changed to Type A TACOS and then embarked on Commissioning Course Short (CCS) 212 in May ‘21, commissioning into the General Service Corps cap badged as ULOTC as a Second Lieutenant. My first job was as Recruiting Second in Command (2IC), during which my role was to recruit a new intake of university students into the ULOTC that would become Athlone Company (A Coy). This included social media advertising, freshers’ fairs, selection weekends, medicals and attestation. After my recruiting duties were complete, I took command of 3 Platoon in A Coy and delivered Module A of the CCS programme until September ‘22.

I began commando training with 131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers (131 Cdo Sqn RE) in February ‘22 and continued to the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC), which is now just the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) in October ‘22. I transferred to 131 Cdo Sqn RE in November ’22 and haven’t looked back since.

ONE WORD OR PHRASE TO DESCRIBE YOUR TIME OR EXPERIENCE IN THE ARMY SO FAR?

‘Exciting’.

WHICH BURSARY DID YOU APPLY FOR AND WHY?

I applied for the DSUS bursary after I progressed from the Sixth Form Scholarship. It seemed the most logical as I was studying civil engineering which was one of the supported streams.

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT WHICH BURSARY WAS RIGHT FOR YOU?

I researched online using some of the available material on the bursaries and I looked at various things such as the required courses or cap badges that you are limited to at RMAS.

HOW WAS THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE BURSARY?

The process was overwhelmingly positive, there were no issues at any stage and I was duly informed of everything that was happening at each stage.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE OFFICERS WHO ARE LOOKING AT JOINING RMAS AND THE DIFFERENT BURSARY OPTIONS AVAILABLE?

Do it as soon as you can because there will be so many fantastic and unique opportunities thrown your way all the time and the more you delay it, the more you will miss. Any bursary option will help you immeasurably, so it doesn’t really matter which one you go for in terms of the outcome and input; but obviously there is a huge pay incentive.

HOW DID THE BURSARY BENEFIT YOU?

The bursary has benefited me hugely. Not just the money which has given me untold financial security, but also the opportunities that it has opened for me such as the Reserve Army career that I have been able to have with it.

WHO INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN THE ARMY AS AN OFFICER AND LOOK INTO THE BURSARY ROUTE?

My school, the Royal Hospital School, played a huge part in me putting my application in. I was surrounded by ex–service teachers and staff members, most of whom were commissioned, and I wanted to be part of something that would really make a difference.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE AFTER THE ASSISTANCE OF A BURSARY?

I personally cannot wait to join the Regular Army, I have had a taste of life and I am hungry for more. Going through the bursary and Reservist process has only added fuel to the fire.