Page 48 - LBV 2017

INTER-COMPANY TRAINING & VISITS
2Lt Pan with the CO, Lt Col Carter
ambush, as well as getting further orders and estimate practice. Nevertheless, the ‘highlight’ of Mod C was experiencing exposure to CS gas. The objective of this exercise is supposedly to instil confidence in the counter CBRN equipment, but I strongly suspect it was dreamt up for the directing staff’s entertainment. Upon completion of the module, we were each presented with
a video file documenting our coughing and spluttering as the gas appeared to burn our skin and airways. Suffice to say that our grotesquely twisted faces of pain and mass production of mucus did not reflect our finest hour.
At this point I had to leave the Academy before undertaking the final module as I had not yet completed Main Board. I achieved
the necessary Main Board pass
about a month later and returned
to Sandhurst in March 2017. I
had to quickly re-orientate myself
with a new platoon and new
platoon staff before deploying on
Exercise Wavell’s Warrior - the
week long confirmatory exercise that constitutes the final test of one’s skills in the field before commissioning. Without giving too much away for those who will undertake this exercise in
the future, this exercise had the highest degree of realism compared to any of the previous exercises. After deploying, we were very much left to our own devices, with Company level orders being our only guidance as to what to do. The directing staff left their mentoring role and became more like observers, assessing us to see if we had reached the standard required. The exercise is seven days of constant activity, with little time to sleep and recover, and a lot
of time spent waist deep in irrigation ditches.
We conducted all of the infantry actions we had learnt on previous modules, but with an additional degree of unpredictability. The highlight for me was a Platoon Sergeant appointment, which I received towards the end of the exercise. During
2Lt Neville Jones receives his CUOTC rank slide from the CO
this appointment, we executed a well planned and rehearsed deliberate attack on a previously recce’d enemy position.
Endex was called on the final morning after a particularly intense final operation. It took some time for reality to sink in – 29 of the 30 Officer Cadets, including me, had managed to conquer the greatest challenge of the eight week course. Celebrations began immediately with cigars, champagne and a cooked breakfast - something that could not have tasted better after a week of ORPs.
Back at Sandhurst, we all knew we were on the home straight - one week from commissioning, and the Parade within arm’s reach. We bashed the square until we moved
like seamless robots, and finally the time came to don our Blues and collect our families and friends before the start of formal proceedings. Almost exactly one year after starting the whole process, I slow marched up the steps of Old College, ending my
journey to commissioning.
The commissioning course contains highs and
lows for everyone, and at times I really had to dig deep into reserves of tenacity and mental strength that I didn’t even know I possessed. However,
it is the triumphs that will ingrain themselves in
my memory. I encourage everyone at CUOTC
to consider doing the same, bearing in mind the unique skills that you would develop and the world-class training that you would be subject to. There is no better time than as a student with long holidays to take advantage of this and start your journey. Mine was shaped by the sheer quality of the RMAS staff, who were truly passionate and committed to ensuring that everyone who started the course reached their full potential.
2Lt Pan,
Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge,
B (Ladysmith Company)
46 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER
Back at Sandhurst, we all knew we were on the home straight