Page 51 - Wish Stream 2023 CREST

memory, lest I dwell on unchangeable events, I did everything possible to distract myself from my own thoughts. A game of chess? Sure. Table tennis? Why not. Another coffee? Go on then.
As H-Hour approached, we returned to Toppers’ Bar to receive news of our fate. The regimental representative announced that they would call us in one-by-one to receive our result. We were to then exit via another door, as to not give away our results immediately to each other. The first per- son was called in. Then the second. Then the third. By the time the fourth person was called in, my knuckles were white from gripping
We weren’t the only ones to receive good news. Excited woops and cheers echoed through the corridors as results trickled in. As Monday rolled into Tuesday and Wednesday, unstoppable gig- gles, hurried phone calls to loved ones and cel- ebratory hugs became commonplace. All of the tension that had built up was suddenly released into mutual euphoria.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t to be shared by all. For every place that is offered, an OCdt is rejected. Reactions to rejections varied from a shrug and a smile, to held-back tears and a long walk alone.
the banister and the fleeting nerv- ous glances between the remaining candidates increased in frequency, as we all thought the same thing. Who’s next?
A game of chess? Sure.
Table tennis? Why not. Another coffee? Go on then.
Some embraced the spinning wheel of clearing, whereas others mourned the loss of their desired choice of arm.
The thing that cannot be forgotten is that a cap badge is more than just a career choice. Every regiment has its own history, culture, and traditions; to join a regiment to incorporate all of this into your own identity. And so, the sting of rejection by a highly desired
Finally, in a surprise twist, the
remainder of us were all called
in at once. In a state of confusion
and incredulity, the senior officers
greeted us with beaming smiles. They announced that they were delighted to offer us all that were left places within the corps. Stunned, elated and in a pure state of ecstasy, it was all I could do to shake hands and murmur a thank you, before being ush- ered out of the room. Immediately upon the door closing, there were hugs, high fives and back-slaps all round. In a high that lasted the entire week, it felt like I had gone from OCdt to future officer in the British Army.
choice of arm is all the more painful, when we have already invested nearly six months to get to this stage, dreaming of one day joining our desired branch.
While Clearing’s sorting hat works away in the background, we all live to fight another day. And the majority of us can be that much prouder, now that we have a confirmed destination post-Sandhurst.
Watching my heart rate spike, I began my inter- view, and the rest was a blur. My next memora- ble moment was opening my letter to see I had received an unconditional offer, to which I blurted out “Can I accept now Sir?” Two firm handshakes later and I was confirmed.
I ran back and was greeted by cheers of elation amongst my peers. Seeing my grin and hav- ing tracked my interview time with our platoon ‘RSB Board,’ they knew I had been accepted and handed me a pen to write ‘PARA’ next to my name. My role now was to repay them in kind and anticipate their results. Although the RSB process marks the eventual fragmentation of our platoon into our different career paths when we commis- sion, it ultimately made us stronger as a collective for the remaining weeks at RMAS.
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