Page 7 - 103RA 2018-20

Regimental Journal 2018-20
COVID-19 from an AGC SPS Reserve soldier perspective
March 2020
By Sgt Higgins AGC SPS
Background
The Government oversees a UK National Lockdown as the COVID 19 virus pandemic reaches the UK and large numbers of civilians become infected and numbers dying increase on a daily basis. Orders from Land Command were communicated to unit CO’s and Army Reservists are warned off that they may be called up. 103 Regt RA AGC detachment step up to ensure all Reservists are administra- tively fit to deploy.
and a visit to the Bty during this time I was confident that I could complete the task in hand. Being part of the G1 administration team I had to ensure all personnel were administratively ready to mobilise whist ensuring all the safety measures, such as social distancing, were in place. One-way routes, additional exits, sanitising stations, health assessments and occupancy constraints all had to be setup and our drill halls were turned into classrooms with tables laid out 2 metres apart. Lockdown was the new normal and keeping up to date with government announcements and restrictions was vital.
Teamwork was imperative to ensure individuals within 103 Regt RA were ready to mobilise within a 2-week window. Unit self-mobilisation was new to all the team however the RAO, RAWO, PSAO, AGC SPS and civilians made it happen. My previous knowledge and training ‘kicked in’ and instinct took over. I was given lots of responsibility and support and really enjoyed how valuable my contribution felt. Suddenly being a Reserve admin- istrator became very important with deployment depending upon whether
a person was administra- tively fit to deploy.
Six months later and we are still ready to mobilise, if required. Some restric- tions have been lifted; lockdown is still the key word as local outbreaks of COVID 19 take place. I
In March 20, while covering the G1 administration for 209 Bty RA, I took
part in the preparation of mobilising
individuals. All Bty administrators had
the responsibility of completing all the
required paperwork and administrative
checks. Reservists start to volunteer
for call-up and 100 volunteers across
the Regiment were quickly admin-
istratively prepared for deployment.
This was something I had never done
before, the panic of uncertainty on
what I needed to do set in. However, I
was soon put at ease as the command
structure of AGC SPS team at 103
Regt RA were there to help. The RAO
sent out a power-point presentation
and a set of completed forms which
we could all use as a
mobilisation preparation Six months later guide to reduce error. and we are still
experience, assurance
The Command Team ready to mobilise,
and knowledge guided
me through the process.
Identifying those physi-
cally fit and able service
personnel who could assist with the pandemic with 24hours notice to move was challenging. Also, due to Covid-19 the Army’s normal route of mobilisation couldn’t take place, therefore commu- nication with the Army ’s Mobilisation Centre at Chilwell was paramount. The RAO emailed daily updates of what was required and with her support
if required
have found the last 6 months although sometimes stressful, also enjoyable as I learnt new skills and now feel I have the confidence to complete any further mobilisations if instructed. We are now living with COVID-19 and the new normal of social distancing at work and in society whilst hoping a vacci- nation will soon be available.
out to forward loading areas having been transferred from national areas to regional areas, movement and forward loading of medical equipment and the initial reconnaissance for Mobile Testing Units (MTU’s) across all ten local authorities.
How did what you were doing fit into the bigger picture, regionally & nationally? Initially I was mobilised for a three-month period however it soon became apparent that I would be mobilised for approxi- mately five months. Nationally and region- ally the coordination of both regular and mobilised reserves was controlled well, but work streams started to dry up once the government appointed civilian contractor assumed responsibility for the manage- ment and coordination of all MTU’s across Greater Manchester (GM).
The Draw Down
The latter part of July 2020 I began my handover to SO2 J5 Plans at Headquar- ters Northwest (HQNW) and started my post operational tour leave for two weeks. Once my leave was complete, I was then to de-mobilised through HQNW and return to my responsibilities as a Battery Commander.
Reflections
I have previously compared the running of a large and complex organisation (GMLRF) with being the Captain of a classic sailing ship. When that ship is caught in a severe storm, and is nearly overwhelmed by the crashing waves, the safety of the ship and crew becomes the first objective. The best chance of survival is to adjust to the prevailing circumstances, roll with the waves and use the wind to find shelter. Above all, the Captain has to trust the crew, implicitly one would say and listen to them, provide clear instructions, so that together they will see the sun rise and continue their journey.
We are not yet at the end of this storm and our lives will continue to be defined by Coronavirus for months and probably years to come. I cannot yet tell whether my lead- ership and or management as a deployed MLO within GMLRF has been effective. So far, people’s goodwill continues despite personal and professional anxieties. I take that as a good sign, but I would never be foolish enough to take it for granted. And ultimately, I suppose, that is the only tenet of leadership that really matters.
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