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Fear of failure is one of the biggest factors that stop people from achieving greatness. This was the
biggest factor causing low numbers to apply for the All-Arms Commando Course (AACC). In recent years, the Commando Conditioning Course (CCC) and the AACC has started roughly with 30 & 15 pax respectively. To be frank, this was not good. Infact, it put Commando Regiments into a place they had never been before. They could potentially lose their Commando Status.
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) saw a new OC take over as the OC AACC. Capt (now Maj) Dave Young RM, who was previously the Brigade RSM, stepped in and it was apparent he also saw this monumental problem. This is where my job as the Chief Instructor and SSI PD of 24 Cdo RE became interesting. Both I and SSgt (SSI) John Bremner, RAPTC at 29 Cdo RA, joined forces to tackle this problem head on.
The nature of our role has forced us to grow thick skin, wide shoulders and stand tall and alone in front of hundreds of people on a daily basis and ask people to do things they don’t necessarily want to do or enjoy. Using this premise, SSgt John Bremner and I requested a change to the CCC Main Events List (MEL) (that CTCRM had designed) and allow us to plan and execute our own training methods with our SME knowledge and resources to achieve the best effect.
Capt Young RM and Sgt (SI) Dean Simpson RAPTC welcomed our plan and listened intently to what our individual needs were. They saw that we had a huge uphill battle and one that wasn’t working, and credit where credit is due, they both agreed to all our ideas. With Sgt (SI) Simpson RAPTC providing outstanding mutual support and being a great ambassador for the RAPTC at CTCRM,
he lent in to support the Army Units and allowed us to crack on with
what we do best!
With SME knowledge, precise planning and diligent execution, we managed to raise the start and finish numbers of both the CCC and AACC by 50% on the first course and a further 30% on the second course. The current course (24.1) is set to finish with well over 90% more than course
23.2!
The hard work and dedication from everyone involved has been something that I will be forever proud of. Leaving 24 Cdo RE this year will be extremely bittersweet, but I can leave knowing that we (the RAPTC) have made a difference. I will be proud to have my name on the list of previous Legends that have had the privilegetoserveat24CdosuchasDave Beresford, Eddie Williams, Rob Greaves and Michael Tatton, to name but a few, but confident in knowing it will be in safe hands with the quality RAPTCIs that will carry on the hard work to help others achieve the Green Beret.
“Never above you, never below you, always by your side...SQUADRON!”
24 COMMANDO ROYAL ENGINEERS
SSgt (SSI) M Kirkbright RAPTC and Sgt (SI) A Davies RAPTC