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The Quarterdeck Series Lieutenant Commander Andrew Cheal
WHAT MORE DO YOU need when you are on ACSC; with thought
provoking, challenging, sometimes confusing lectures every
day? MORE lectures, that’s what! But I put it to you that when essay deadlines loom, SRA presentations re-appear entirely forgotten about until T-24hrs, and when all you want to do is ‘ram constructivism firmly up its own referent object’, it is all too easy to forget what is great about a year of self-development and learning.
The Quarterdeck Series can be considered the antidote to the ACSC
programme, covering the weird and wonderful and purposefully contributing nothing to your knowledge of National Security. The Series covers the new and novel – letting your brain relax into something entirely different. A change is as good as a rest, and the change could not be starker!
Admittedly, there are few subjects
more interesting than Defence Policy- to-Capability, but by looking for the creative, we have heard from the leading authority on C S Lewis on how imagination is key to understanding facts. We have experienced the
serenity of calligeofiguresques – not only the three most widely appreciated strands of calligraphy, geometry, and arabesque, but also the surprising figural side of Islamic art. We have even experienced the Antikythera mechanism – the ancient Greek clockwork computer from 100 BC – which was lost at sea for almost 2000 years, and used technology not yet developed in Europe until the 14th Century.
So whilst few pass through ACSC unaltered, the Quarterdeck short series of talks manages to stay true to the idea of broadening and developing minds. Engaging in creative arts is proven to enhance productivity at work, and unlike many other lectures, I did not once
see anyone ‘fight the white’, they just enjoyed the unusual.
Perspective from Lebanon Colonel Joseph Rouhana
THE UK ACSC IS very well known in Lebanon as a very demanding course, and all the officers who have been here since 2009 are very well appreciated back home. Personally, I completed my staff course in Lebanon around end-June 2017, and I came here in
July for the pre-course phase of ACSC. It was difficult with no rest, but the UK allowed me to bring my family along and the College helped us settle into the British lifestyle and environment. My wife registered in the English Language Centre and through their
activities, she met and befriended many other International and British spouses. My boys did very well in Watchfield Primary School, both of them getting the ‘Star of the Term’ award for their respective classes.
The biggest challenge in ACSC is writing academic essays. At the beginning,
I did not find the right balance between enjoying my stay here with family and the Course demands, but I quickly managed to do it and I am happy with what I have achieved. I will never forget this year! Many thanks to all the staff and my fellow course mates, you are all amazing!