Page 8 - 2019 AMA Winter

AMAHQ
ADVENTUROUS
TRAINING AND
LEADERSHIP
TRAINING FOR ENHANCED EFFECTIVENESS OR JUST A WEEK OUT OF THE OFFICE?
During a Rock Climbing Skills course, three soldiers have each been set the task of demonstrat-
ing how to set up a safe climb at a rock climbing venue. The Instructor looks on in silence as they busy themselves in their task. The tension is palpable.
The three soldiers are demonstrably nervous, looking across at each other to see if they can glean any clues; talking to themselves; tying and re-tying the same knots; and even sweating a little under
the pressure of trying to get it right. They begin to rush, and, inevitably they make errors; errors that could compromise the safety of a climber. Eventually, they run out of time and the Instructor brings the group together to ask about the task. Their actions are deconstructed and they discuss how they can each develop better coping strategies to help to overcome the strains of working under pressure. The Instructor asks ‘why might it be important to remain calm in a stressful situation?’ ‘For the sake of safety’ they reply. The
Instructor asks if developing these strategies during a climbing course might be relevant elsewhere – ‘on operations’ they reply. A rushed decision or a mistake on the ground could compromise the whole mission, or even cost lives.
It is fairly apparent that while AT may be viewed as a nice way to spend a week away from the office, there is a whole lot more to it than first meets the eye. The aims of Adventurous Training are clear, even if the perception of AT isn’t.
8 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER