Page 78 - Wish Stream Year of 2016

Inspirational Presentation
On 12 October Blenheim Company was visited by former Capt Luke Sinnot, a con- temporary of Maj Uqbah Malik, 28 Platoon
Commander. Capt Sinnot served with 33 Engi- neer Squadron, and during his time as a Royal Engineer Search Advisor in Afghanistan he was struck by an improvised explosive device and lost both legs above the knee. He was invited to Sandhurst to share his experiences of life and leadership on operations and beyond. Through- out his address, his humility and humour were evident, in the darkest and most dangerous of circumstances.
After his injury, Capt Sinnot entered a rehabili- tation programme at Hedley Court. He empha- sised the independent attitudes of other disa- bled individuals whom he worked with, and the shared need to nd direction and focus in moving on with life. Sport provides this for many. Capt Sinnot rst turned to sailing, then to athlet- ics, winning two medals at the Invictus Games
in Florida. Currently, it is his aim to become the rst double-amputee to y to the South Pole in a microlight. Capt Sinnot spoke of the feel- ing of freedom which ying brings, especially to the disabled. It was an eye-opening address for those in the audience, reminding us of the nature of work we were about to undertake, and the strength of those around us.
The talk proved a stark but necessary reminder of the consequences of our chosen career paths, confronting head-on the elephant in the Academy, all too often veiled in military terminol- ogy or avoided in common conversation. The risk of serious injury, either to ourselves or our soldiers, is something we all accept by commit- ting to military service, but it is not a topic which is frequently discussed during Of cer Training. Capt Sinnot’s address invited questions and frank debate, whilst his rehabilitation success and post-military career inspired enterprise and personal endeavour.
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