Page 116 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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Training and support staff form the JSMTW (BAV).
We initially thought that returning back to training would be a straightforward task of maintaining SD whilst; carrying out abseils, map reading, water-based rescues etc. However, once staff delved in to how this would look, we were overwhelmed by the number of scenarios where SD would increase the risk dramatically. This led to much innovation which would adapt over time due to guidelines changing, or techniques that did not maintain SD (think about trying to zip a dry suit up on your own!). As we started to deliver AT again, forward planning, online demos and thinking outside of the box would be essential to help meet our training objectives. The chosen methods of delivery would help reduce risk and become amended practice NOT best practice.
Learning Points
Our staff consists of both civilian and military staff from all three Services. This creates a strong, dynamic and well-rounded team, which only adds to our resilience. However, try and imagine undoing years of experience to tackle an invisible threat to activities that are already a risk to life, having all the staff buy into this was crucial. With this in mind, there are a number of Change Management models that suggest different approaches of tackling such situations. Bridges 1988 in particular talks about Change being external whereas Transition is the inner psychological process we go through while coming to terms with new situations. With Transition being the focus, Bridges suggests an Empathetic leadership style, as the coming changes can lead people to crisis. It’s worth noting that we were already operating in a crisis in a global pandemic. Which is why finding coping strategies like Headspace for mental toughness and resilience and supporting literature such as Leading Through Crisis: A Practitioners Guide and the Cross-Sector Lessons from COVID 19 would help and act as a handrail when in uncharted territory.
As the pandemic began to take hold once again, the flow of students stopped in autumn and training came to a halt. Once again, the staff managed to stay busy; preparing the stores for the
FS Pilling and LEC Loombe, practicing T-rescues whilst achieving SD
upcoming winter season in the hope that students would soon be able to return. The team also applied themselves in other capacities and wanted to give something back to the local community. A river clean-up was carried out nearby at the river Iller. The team managed to pick up a huge amount of rubbish which was later disposed of at the local recycling centre. The clean-up then went on to make the local newspaper.
In addition, as an organisation JSMTC has kept all Wings busy during these unprecedented times with micro-lectures via zoom. Capitalising on any spare time by inviting guest speakers and fellow colleagues to share their experiences and best practice. The opportunity to listen and learn from these experiences has been a great way to interact, avoid social isolation and has been extremely beneficial for our new arrivals. We are very much looking forward to returning back to our mountains and rivers, but in the meantime, we will continue to stay safe whilst developing and motivating one another.
JSMTW (BAV) Staff on the river Iller
JSMTC Micro Lectures