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Land Rover convoy at Kenyan School of Infantry, Isiolo, Kenya, 2015 Lt Brown receives gift, Kenya, 2015
Defence Engagement in East Africa Lt Dan Brown
From May to August 15, I was given the opportunity to work as the 42 Bde Defence Liaison Officer for British Peace Support Team East Africa (BPST(EA)) based in Nairobi, Kenya. BPST(EA) helps to facilitate training across East Africa, running courses in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia
to name but a few. Training ranges from infantry tactics, to stabilisation and Martime Support, with a large proportion of training aimed at Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Mission in Somalia. BPST(EA) is also responsible for British personnel working in mentoring roles based at Mogadishu International Airport (MIA), Somalia, whereby BPST(EA) monitor all movements in and out of MIA ensuring PJHQ have situational awareness.
It is a rare opportunity for a Platoon Commander to be given such an experience early on in their career, and
as such it provided several opportunities. Moving away from battalion life for a short period allowed for an interesting insight to the working of a headquarters, and also an exposure to working within a higher
rank structure than previously experienced. For a Platoon Commander with little MS experience, this was a steep learning curve but helped ultimately improve the quality of my written work, and gave me the ability
to sift and collate reports, easing the staff
For a Platoon Commander with little MS experience, this was a steep learning curve
burden on BPST(EA) COS and DCOS. The role also provided the opportunity to travel across the region to visit training, and to meet those who I would liaise with whilst working for BPST(EA).
I was able to travel within Kenya itself, visiting training at the Kenyan School of Infantry in Isiolo, where 40 Commando were running a Rural Patrols course facilitated by
BPST(EA). This was an interesting insight to training opportunities that are being made available in East Africa. As part of my role as the Liaison Officer for 42 Bde,
I helped to increase awareness of future training opportunities to Bde Headquarters in order to open up future opportunities to those working at platoon level. Short Term Training Teams (STTTs) to Uganda have already been undertaken by 4 MERCIAN. Manning permitting, there are several STTTs that require reduced manning, such as the course run by 40 Commando, and also
a SNCO cadre in Zanzibar which would provide a fantastic opportunity for a small team of YOs, SNCOs and JNCOs. I hope that 42 Bde can keep working hard to ensure these types of roles will be opened to regular battalions.
My time at BPST(EA) has helped me to develop as an officer, and presented a rare opportunity to experience living in Nairobi. It also confirmed what a privilege it is to be a Platoon Commander.
40 Commando’s STTT Training area, Isiolo, Kenya, 2015
THE MERCIAN EAGLE