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Perspective from Uganda Major Edith Nakalema Uganda
UGANDA IS IN ONE of the best places on Earth, directly at the Equator and yet with snow-capped mountains in the Great Lakes region of Africa. This country that was richly gifted by nature, was better described by Sir Winston Churchill as “...The Pearl of Africa..., A Beautiful Garden from End to End” in his
book titled ‘My African Journey’.
When I first received the news that I would be joining ACSC, I did not know what to expect. I was more apprehensive than upbeat, because I doubted my preparation for the Course. Indeed, my first days at
both ACSC and JSCSC were challenging, as I was the only African female. However, it was beneficial on the whole as I was given the best attention by everyone I approached. Listening to the quick speakers, sometimes inaudible words, the jokes in a context alien to me, and people speaking in different accents, all impacted on me – with shock initially! To say the first two weeks was a challenge is an understatement, but soon, I would be on my feet.
The presenters and topics explored during ACSC have been top-notch. The various Regional Security Exercises, industry visits, operational level planning scenarios, and the Combined Joint Exercise have all given me a wider perspective of understanding the world and issues in a way I could not have learned from anywhere else. I can proudly say that ACSC has enriched my ability to plan and analyse issues, events and situations, thereby adding value and quality contributions to my Country. Above all, ACSC has given us a great exposure and indeed a rare opportunity to interact and make contacts from over 55 countries across the globe. In addition to the skills and knowledge, I am sure that the bonding and friendships that we have developed in a year of intense pressure will remain enduring. As wife and a mother, it’s been
a tough year of academic stress while missing my husband and children but thank God, the sacrifice has been worthwhile. I feel proud to have studied at Shrivenham. My appreciation goes to the JSCSC – ACSC 21 leadership and my student sponsor Lt Col Chris Ankers, for their good management and care respectively. Long live UK Uganda relations!
Perspective from Sweden Major Peter Jacobsson
THIS IS THE SECOND year of my Advanced Staff Course at the Swedish Defence University (SDU) in Stockholm, with me being fortunate enough to be one of six (out of eighty students) who received the opportunity to study the second year abroad. The
main themes for the first year at the SDU are International Relations, Strategy and Operational Level planning. So while the topics taught at ACSC were known to me, the perspectives and approaches differed, which made it interesting. So, what do the
rest of the Swedes do on the second year in Stockholm? More Operational Level planning, but the Swedish way, on Irregular warfare, leadership and management, and they have 10 weeks dedicated for the Masters Degree.
The challenges at the beginning of ACSC were to adjust to what was expected when it came to essay writing and at the same time, helping my children, with their homework and adjusting to life in the UK. However, we have all tuned-in and are now looking at this year as the great experience that we had hoped for. With the end of ACSC, I am looking forward to going back to Sweden where I will be Commanding Officer of the Flying Training School. However, I will miss all the new friends I made in the UK and all over the world. But you are not more than a WhatsApp message away!