Page 5 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

The headline for 2017 is that Sandhurst is full! All three intakes have been filled to capacity and the Reserve course in the summer was the biggest for 10 years; that’s good news for the Academy and excellent news for the Army. It comes as a result of a great deal of hard work across the board, and I am very grateful to everyone for their efforts.
Lots of cadets means even more activity, and you will read exciting accounts inside this edition of The Wish Stream. There are new impressions of some well-known Sandhurst milestones; the first five weeks, Long Reach, Normandy Scholar, Slim’s Stand and Allenby’s Advance. Many of you will recognise some of the enduring themes - if not the names! You will read of sporting triumph, and this year I have been amazed at the level of expertise our cadets attain, even though they get relatively little time to train. Of note, this year has been successful for swimming, cross coun- try and, I am delighted to say, in women’s rugby. We have seen notable achievements around the
Accompanied by the Commandant, Maj Gen Paul Nanson CBE, HRH Prince Henry of Wales returns to Sandhurst for the first time since his own commissioning in April 2006
Major General Paul Nanson CBE
world as our cadets, and former cadets, con- duct expeditions and leadership resilience train- ing in some amazing environments. A total of 549 cadets were able to conduct expeditions to 13 countries, all supported by grants from the Sandhurst Trust. And of course, you will have heard of some of the high profile successes, be it rowing across the Atlantic or trekking across the Antarctic.
Our reach and reputation continues to expand. Last year we focused on female engagement and, through a number of initiatives, includ- ing Women 100, we used the Academy as a backdrop to showcase the amazing contribu- tion women have, and continue to make, to our Army. This is being reflected in the numbers; the recent intake have the highest number of female cadets for a long time. Next year’s September intake will be the first from which females will be able to join the Infantry, following in the foot- steps of the cohort this year who have passed out into the Royal Armoured Corps. In terms of our reputation, the high profile Sovereign’s repre- sentatives this year have ensured the Academy has been kept firmly in the public eye. We were honoured to welcome the Prime Minister in April, and we were delighted to welcome back OCdt Wales in December! Furthermore, hosting the recent Anglo-French Summit has meant that our name will forever be remembered through the Sandhurst Treaty.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the Sand- hurst Trust who, this year, have disbursed nearly £80,000, hosted 34 reunions and conducted 85 tours. They have taken over the management of our Commissioning Balls and, in the margins, have run a hugely successful speaker series, now linked in to the study of our history. You can read more about that history in the Trust’s ‘Famous Friday’ section inside. And of course it has published the latest version of Sandhurst: A Tradition of Leadership, which is a must for any coffee table.
Enjoy this edition of The Wish Stream.
Commandant’s Foreword
SANDHURST 3