ARRC NEWS
Farewell to Lieutenant General Sir Nick Borton :
A Legacy of Distinguished Service
Getting to know
Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse
As Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Robert Macrae Borton steps down from his role as Commander of NATO ’ s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps ( ARRC ) and retires from an illustrious military career , the British Army bids farewell to an officer whose service has been marked by exemplary leadership , commitment , and distinguished achievements .
Born in London in 1969 , Nick
Borton ’ s path to military prominence began with a family legacy of service , inspired by his father and grandfather who served in the Highland Light Infantry . Educated at Canford School and later at the University of Stirling , Borton laid a strong academic foundation with a BA in History and English Literature . He further honed his strategic acumen with an MA in Defence Management and Technology from the Royal Military College of Science .
Commissioned into the Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1988 , Borton ’ s early career was characterized by notable assignments and rapid advancement . His leadership during deployments with the United Nations Protection Force , The Troubles in Northern Ireland , the Iraq War , and the War in Afghanistan earned him recognition and respect . In 2008 , he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) for his exceptional service in Afghanistan , a testament to his operational expertise and dedication .
Borton ’ s career trajectory saw him take on pivotal roles including Commanding Officer of the Royal Highland Fusiliers , 2nd Battalion , The Royal Regiment of Scotland , and later Commander of the 16 Air Assault Brigade . His strategic insight and leadership were further demonstrated during his tenure as Director of Overseas Operations at the Ministry of Defence and as General Officer Commanding the 3rd ( United Kingdom ) Division .
In December 2021 , Borton assumed command of the ARRC , bringing his vast experience and tactical proficiency to one of NATO ’ s key rapid deployment forces . Promoted to Lieutenant General , his leadership was instrumental in enhancing the readiness and operational capability of the ARRC , ensuring it remained a cornerstone of NATO ’ s defence strategy .
Borton ’ s service has been distinguished by numerous accolades , including being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire ( MBE ) and later , a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath ( KCB ) in 2023 . These honours reflect his unwavering commitment to duty , his strategic foresight , and his ability to inspire and lead troops under challenging circumstances .
As he hands over the reins to General Sir Ralph Wooddisse , Sir Nick Borton leaves behind a legacy of operational excellence and professional integrity . His contributions to the British Army and NATO have not only shaped military operations but have also strengthened international defence collaborations .
Sir Nick ’ s retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in the British Army ’ s history . His career serves as an exemplar for future generations of military leaders , embodying the values of courage , dedication , and strategic brilliance . While he leaves active service , his impact and the standards he set will continue to resonate within the military community .
We extend our deepest gratitude to Lieutenant General Sir Nick Borton for his decades of dedicated service and wish him the very best in his future endeavours . His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide the Armed Forces for years to come .
What inspired you to join the British Army , and how did your early experiences shape your military career ?
I decided to join the Army in 1986 so memories of my motivations have faded over the intervening 38 years ! My father ’ s military service was undoubtedly an influence , as was a desire to live a life less ordinary . My service has been sustained by the opportunities that I ’ ve had to play a small part in making history ; much better to be in the arena than spectating from afar .
My early years were dominated by operational tours to Northern Ireland , Bosnia and Kosovo , armoured exercises in Germany and Canada , and service with UKSF . Those experiences have shaped all that has followed ; my most enduring experience has been an appreciation of the qualities of the British soldier – steadfast , resilient , impressively imaginative , always compassionate and never short of humour regardless of the circumstances .
Can you describe your leadership philosophy and how it has evolved over your years of service ?
It ’ s hard to put a finger on a particular leadership philosophy – I think it ’ s important to continually adapt your leadership style to the circumstances in which you find yourself . The qualities required to lead a Corps are self-evidently different to those required to command a platoon . But if pushed I ’ d like to think that the characteristics that have remained consistent , and that you will see from me as COMARRC , include : a willingness to listen to all , regardless of rank or position ; a desire to work to intent , allowing others as much freedom as possible to exercise initiative and imagination in all that they do ; and a focus on learning and continual improvement , recognising that mistakes happen and we all need to be prepared to take risks if we are going to succeed .
Reflecting on your deployments in The Troubles , Bosnian War , Iraq , and Afghanistan , what moments stand out as particularly defining or challenging ?
There ’ s plenty that I could draw upon but I would highlight the importance of understanding , conscious that we can do more harm than good if we fail to understand the conflict that we are engaged in . A multinational HQ is a significant help in this regard due to the variety of perspectives on offer , but only if we have the mechanisms in place to speak to and listen to each of the nations present in the ARRC . Regular dialogue with our Senior National Representatives and with the whole staff feels like a critical activity in this regard .
What are your immediate priorities as the new Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps ?
To deliver our operational responsibilities , as the Land Component to the NRF and then as a Strategic Reserve Corps .
To learn from , and adapt to , the circumstances that we see , conscious that success in warfare goes to those who can best understand their environment and then adapt quickest .
To ensure that our officers and soldiers , and their families , are well looked after while serving with the ARRC , conscious that we ask a lot of them , and they deserve the very best support that we can provide .
How do you envision the future role of the ARRC within NATO ’ s broader strategic framework ?
I want the ARRC to be the best warfighting Corps in NATO , capable of completing the most demanding tasks , wherever the Alliance sees fit to place us .
With the rapid advancement of military technology , how do you see technology impacting ARRC operations and strategies in the near future ?
The application of technology is critical to our success . We are seeing technology impacting on the way that wars are fought today in Ukraine and the Middle East ; we must have the humility and imagination to embrace these new ways of fighting if we are to succeed in the endeavours that we may well be set . It would be criminal to waste the chance to learn from the experience from others conscious that history is littered with examples of where Armies have failed in this regard and paid the price in lives and treasure .
Outside of your professional duties , what hobbies or interests do you pursue to maintain a worklife balance ?
Maintaining a work-life balance is so important . Without it we become tired and stale , and we risk jeopardising our health and our relationships . Your health and your relationships with friends and family are more valuable than any job or vocation ; they sustain us now and will ( if we get things right ) outlast our careers . So I do all I can to find time for friends and family while looking after my physical fitness , largely through cycling and running .
What advice would you give to young service personnel aspiring to a fruitful career and to achieve leadership roles in the military ?
In answering this question I ’ m conscious that my age , circumstances and station might make any advice of limited value . But setting aside these reservations , the three qualities that I ’ d like to think have helped me to be COM ARRC include : the need to look after your subordinates ahead of yourself ; the need to be honest and consistent , upwards , downwards and sideways ; and the need to have the humility to listen and learn from others , and then generate the energy and confidence required to change .
6 SUMMER 2024 the imjin @ HQARRC Allied Rapid Reaction Corps @ HQARRC