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The Defence School of Transport (DST) continues to thrive and exceed all expectations as it delivers the ever-increasing driver training demands for all 3 services. This year has seen the school restructure from top to bottom in pursuit of improving training delivery and efficiency, ensuring the talented staff are fully utilised to maximise their personal and professional impact on the site. This year, a ‘One Team’ approach has been fully endorsed and driven, improving the health and wellbeing of all, directly impacting on the delivery of the Comdt’s intent.
“Be like Frank!” – In the 90s, the Army’s recruitment campaign, ‘Be like Frank,’ inspired thousands to join as it showcased the benefits of what service life can provide. This year, I have had a year like Frank. Starting in April, I went to Portugal with the RAPTC Golf team for an outstanding sports tour; in July, I worked at the 151st Open Championships at Royal Liverpool, working alongside the finest golfers on the planet. In Sep, I departed to Rome for the Ryder Cup, where 4 other RAPTCIs and I were accommodated in a private villa for the week (Tough week!); in October, the DST PD Team delivered Ex NORTHERN STRIKE 23, the flagship event of the RLC which sees over 600 pax competing in a Military Skills competition at DST. Finishing off in November, I was deployed to the Caribbean for 6 weeks to deliver Hurricane and Disaster Relief (HADR) training for both the Turks and Caicos Regiment and the Cayman Island Regiment, a once in a lifetime opportunity which will live with me forever. The Army has always, and will continue to provide phenomenal opportunities for service personnel, especially those willing to seek them out.
The PD department is fully embedded into the DST Staff Development Wing, this has exposed the team to various community engagements, ranging from working with
WO2 (QMSI) A Murray RAPTC
DEFENCE SCHOOL OF TRANSPORT
children, youth offenders, various blue light services and professional sports teams. Delivering and receiving training has improved the teams PD delivery capability, the benefits of which are being reaped by all at DST. In October, the PD team delivered the first DST Optimising Human Performance Package (OHPP), a bespoke event designed to improve personal performance which in turn, maximises collective team outputs. Personally – RAPTCIs excel in creating high performance teams of which the DST PD staff undoubtedly are. I for one, am immensely proud of their exploits this year as some of these successes include all Cpls placed in the top 5 of grading boards; Sgt (SI) M Smith RAPTC promoted to SSgt; myself being selected as SMI; and the entire PD team receiving a 2* Commendation from DLW. There truly is no greater achievement than watching those around you succeed and knowing
that you have played a small part in this. Since writing these notes, I have been assigned as SMI ITC and my replacement ((WO2 (QMSI) R
QMSI Murray – Promoted in the Caribbean
Moody MBE RAPTC)) prepares for his imminent arrival at DST. For those looking at DST for future assignments, this is a thoroughly rewarding post.
DST PD Team – Ex NORTHERN STRIKE
Remembrance Parade – Caribbean 2023
DST PD Team