Page 24 - The Wish Stream Year of 2020 Crest

The Regimental Selection
Board process – an Officer
Cadet perspective
OCdt Roache
For Commissioning Course 201 the chal- lenge of the infamous Regimental Selection Board process was increased by Covid-19.
For those who arrived at RMAS with few con- nections and little understanding of the process or the different parts of the Army, the playing field felt more unequal than usual.
Despite early briefs on the different capabilities, Arms and Services Day left many with more questions than answers. This initial unease was compounded by a dearth of exercises due to COVID-19 which caused many Cadets to fear they wouldn’t have the opportunity to show the necessary potential for their COA. Members of the permanent staff willingly
cuts were conducted late in the term. Some combat regiments took advantage of this, mak- ing extremely late cuts and leaving Cadets with the challenge of finding another cap badge. Evi- dence of the tough decisions’ regiments had to make was seen with Cadets being cut and then uncut. The pressure remained on all the way to the end of Ex SLIMS STAND as regiments tried to secure the most suitable candidates. Times felt very uncertain.
Those that were lucky enough to secure their first choices for the selection board had to deal with an incredibly competitive intake; CC201 is the last intake of the recruiting year, therefore
stepped into this void, informing
Cadets about their various Regi-
ments and Corps, and offering
advice on selections and suitabil-
ity. By Week 10 it was obvious that
the regimental visits would be an
essential opportunity for Cadets
to meet the soldiers and offic-
ers of their chosen cap badge. Unfortunately, the Covid-effect
continued; with many visits can-
celled in Junior Term it felt like the
early disadvantage continued to
grow. Some were unable to clarify their choices or understand where they fit best, while others could not meet regimental personalities or give account of themselves, leading to disadvantage at boards later in the process.
As we returned from our seven weeks of lock- down, there was uncertainty throughout the ranks of Officer Cadets on the deadline for cuts. Conditions from the previous term, includ- ing the lack of exercises and visits, meant that regiments intended to use the Intermediate Term exercises as an opportunity to assess their can- didates. Unnerving for the Officer Cadets who were conscious of eyes on them, this also meant
places were limited for many of the combat arms while the stand- ard remained exceptionally high. The refrain ‘if you were in another intake, you would definitely have a place’ was both comforting and frustrating in equal measure. After a very short 12 weeks, and with few days to push, the 15-minutes of RSB fame granted to each OCdt flew by. Some were disappointed, others relieved, and a majority thrilled to finally get that piece of paper offering them a place and a
new home in the British Army.
Covid-19 has been tough, exacerbating an already stressful process which quickly became our focus given the lack of freedom. However, all being said, and as is the way with the Regimen- tal Selection Boards, some 90 percent of the Officer Cadets will commission into a regiment or corps that suits them.
The refrain ‘if you were in another intake, you would definitely have a place’ was both comforting and frustrating in equal measure
22 SANDHURST