Page 30 - LBV 2024

CCS 242
Sandhurst expanded my knowledge, leadership, and resilience. But more than that it gave me lifelong memories.
The condensed 8-week course is not for the faint-hearted. An almost constant barrage of lectures about war fighting, International Law, Psychology, and the least favourite, drill. However, the class
of tutoring is outstanding, being able
to learn from experienced officers and soldiers facilitates the rapid learning required. Lengthy excursions into the local Barossa training area, or Hankley Common entailed fighting the elusive “ZAB” enemy forces who always seem to have the upper hand.
On the first exercise, I was assigned section commander, a role that required sharp thinking and effective quick battle orders. Excitement and nervousness ran through my head as we stepped off. We were the assaulting section and were responsible for the main effort, destroying the first enemy position and gaining
a foothold. As H hour drew near, we reached our Forming-Up Point. I looked behind at the concentrated faces of my section, we were ready. As H hour hit,
a rapid fire from the supporting section allowed our advance as we carried out fire and manoeuvre drills. The “ZAB soldier” soon dropped and we rapidly searched and cleared the position. Elation was in my head as we shouted position clear. The tactics would continue throughout the exercises, steadily becoming second nature. A rotation of each command appointment allowed me to get to grips with how to be an effective leader with different responsibilities.
Much too soon, Commissioning Parade loomed. The repeated drill practice had prepared me, and yet I felt nervous.
The sweltering heat fought against our hydration as we were all thinking the same thing, don’t faint. But our proud families looking on from the stands spurred us on. The band’s music fused with the metal pounding of our shoes
as we became a single unit moving in unison. As left marker, it was my duty to watch for the white scratch marks that make the parade look so uniform, a trivial task that now seemed daunting. I was
successful. The slow march began, and we right-wheeled towards the steps of the dominant neoclassical masterpiece that was Old College. In almost slow motion I rose towards the entrance and earned the King’s Commission.
I would like to thank all the staff at CUOTC for training me and giving
me the opportunity to commission at Sandhurst, I will remember it for the rest of my life.
2Lt Karaalp
30 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER