Page 49 - The Wish Stream Year of 2022 CREST

lage. After nearly a year at RMA Sandhurst, we understood how hard we must push ourselves in fire-fights to ensure success. But it was that ever-present enemy, the cold, that waited for us before and after the adrenaline of battle; it pried at our human element, taking the morale of any- one who would let it, testing the rigidity of our drills or lack thereof. We had to harden ourselves for a mission that pressed on regardless of our individual pains. Hawking at the perimeter of the village, insurgents sought to exploit complacency and regain their former foothold. It required all our efforts with foresight and adequate planning proving to be key. All the while, the civilian popu- lation within the village questioned whether we were in a position to address their needs. And our individual needs were stretched thinner than what was necessary as an effective fighting force.
As we moved into the rural phases, an under- standing developed – everything we’ve learnt was exactly what we needed to utilise to do this well! I witnessed a widespread wave that took away the last remnants of impostor-syndrome from our ranks as we pressed on to our sub- sequent missions. The posture was different. Orders were more assertive. Individuals were hyper-engaged. We absorbed future critique into the new armour we all had. The enemy felt the change too, as we swept through other villages they had occupied.
A piece of us was left there in Germany. I can only speak for myself in saying that it was always necessary for those pieces to go. The void has been filled with a version of me that was always waiting – one that never needed to be such an individual; one that doesn’t need to expend a brain cell to act on behalf of my section or pla- toon. The handshakes and hugs of congratula- tions, upon completion of Ex DYNAMIC VIC- TORY, held the energy of that last transformation.
Summary: Capt Miller RLC
– Alamein Coy Pl Comd Instructor
The purpose of Exercise DYNAMIC VIC- TORY is to confirm the OCdts’ leader- ship and military skills through a rigorous live-firing package and a demanding field exercise. As a Company training team, our desired outcome was two-fold. First for the OCdts to apply and demonstrate their talent and ability to lead within the safety net of the training environment for the final time. Second, for the OCdts to prove to themselves their own abilities and their readiness to Commission; the second aim was arguably the most important, as it formed the final puzzle piece in creating confident leaders.
The exercise absolutely tested mental and physical resilience and challenged OCdts to leave their comfort zones and work in teams, more independent of training staff intervention and guidance than ever before. As the safety net was removed, the Alamein Company OCdts planned and executed operations themselves, which was a joy to witness. We saw them trust themselves, each other, their skills, and reaped the rewards of their 38 weeks of training.
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