Page 65 - Wish Stream Year of 2016

Training at the Royal Military Academy Sand- hurst (RMAS) is a dream come true. I have learnt practical skills which will help me in my career in the Pakistan Army and, what is more, in just three months I have grown as a leader, worked with Of cer Cadets of different genders and backgrounds, and gained eld knowledge which was previously unknown to me.
My rst encounter with the Of cer Cadet training course was the pre-RMAS course in Shrivenham at the Defence Academy UK. Here I met other international Of cer Cadets for the rst time, and we set out to learn about British culture and customs, as well as the Commissioning Course at Sandhurst. Upon arriving in England, I found that people were very friendly and respectful of others’ religions and way of life, especially the Of cer Cadets.
On day one of the Commissioning Course the overseas cadets, who were already in their accommodation, welcomed the new British cadets who had arrived from across the UK. In six platoon, there were 33 Of cer Cadets in total, and we spent the next ve weeks work- ing together to bull boots, ensure our clothing was ironed perfectly, and that dust was elimi- nated. This rigid start to domestic discipline was a steep learning curve for me as in the Pakistan Military Academy these tasks are done for us by the staff and our main focus is on the military skills. Despite this, I feel that this grass-roots dis- cipline has improved my leadership qualities as now, not only am I a master of the skills tradi- tionally associated with an of cer, but I can also empathise with all of those who I will soon lead.
In the following weeks we began to go on exer- cise in the eld. Previously, I had learnt the theory behind section and platoon manoeuvres, har- bour areas and recce patrols but Sandhurst has now given me the opportunity to put this theory into practice. I had not practised these skills pre- viously, which is most likely a re ection of the longer duration of the course at PMA, which is four terms of six months with the theory being put into practice in the nal term. I have found these exercises to be a very positive learning experience. The drills have improved my con-
OCdt Aslam (Pakistan)
The drills have improved my con dence working in the eld...
dence working in the eld and are the main aspect of the training which I will introduce to my soldiers.
The Pakistani and British Army have many simi- larities, and training at RMAS has built a platform where we can work together in the future, which will be increasingly important in a globalised world. If I were to make any suggestions it would only be that there were more Pakistani Of cer Cadets awarded a place at RMAS and students from RMAS were sent to Pakistan, as we have much to learn from each other. I have made friends at RMAS which I will keep for the rest of my life, and I look forward to spending two more terms with them.
Impressions of Sandhurst
The Sandhurst Trust is the Army O cers’ charity and is the alumni organisation for all serving and retired Army o cers.
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The Trust fosters an esprit de corps
and enduring sense of belonging and connection through reunions and events.
We sustain the ethos and preserve the heritage of RMAS through events and guided tours.
By holding events for Trust Members with military and business leaders and through the publishing of occasional papers we promote the understanding and development of leadership beyond the Academy.
The Trust provides charitable support
to O cer Cadets and sta at RMAS as well as the retired o cer community in partnership with the O cers’ Association.
100% of donations are disbursed charitably.
Membership from £15
JOIN TODAY
www.sandhursttrust.org Telephone 01276 412 000
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