Page 68 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021 (Crest)

Lucknow Platoon Instructor
CSgt Waite
Life at RMAS within the constraints of COVID- 19 (C-19) has been a significant challenge. Despite this, the requirement to deliver
exceptional training has remained extant. Like all training establishments, there has been no choice but to enact change in order to facilitate a safe training environment to achieve strate- gically driven outputs. The fluidity of the C-19 threat continues to require robust control meas- ures, driven by Government and Defence policy, to enable the continuous delivery of world-class leadership training. This has presented many new challenges for instructors and OCdts alike.
C-19 has driven a complete training programme overhaul, hard work for many, but the changes have also fired up many dormant imaginations! Previous training techniques were no longer safe and the requirement to think ‘outside the box’ has enabled creative and meaningful lessons, setting a new standard for the delivery of training for future OCdts. Of note, the delivery of training via virtual means has proven par-
was a finishing school that taught elocution, fine dining and how not to do drill! How wrong I was! I was astounded at the amount of respon- sibility placed upon OCdts from their very first moment at the Academy. The development of these young leaders is facilitated through sev- eral challenging areas. Alongside deploying on numerous tactical exercises in austere environ- ments with ever increasing levels of complexity, their academic, physical and emotional rigour are also tested to capacity in a myriad of differ- ent ways. The motivation and drive I have wit- nessed from these young men and women are incredible and something I had limited exposure prior to my time at RMAS. The most impressive display of this is during Ex LONG REACH. After only 8 weeks of training, OCdts are expected to navigate up to 70km around the Black Moun- tains carrying upward of 35kgs whilst conduct- ing command tasks at each check point. Most people would barely survive this, but I have been lucky to witness so many thrive!
ticularly effective and is something that must continue to be exploited Army-wide.
The biggest challenge I have
faced as an instructor has been
the delivery of virtual training. Sub-
jects such as Drill, Field Craft and
Skill at Arms needed to be taught
in the usual way (albeit with some
imaginative, C-19 compliance!). I
have had to completely adapt my teaching style to achieve the required impact through virtual means. This was particularly challenging dur- ing the periods of Controlled Monitoring during the first two weeks of each term. Although C-19 has presented many obstacles along the road to gaining a Commission, the professional and motivated attitude by all involved has seen every platoon adapt, overcome and reach the much- anticipated Sovereign’s Parade.
Throughout my career I have often been inspired by officers. However, prior to attempt- ing the RMAS SNCO Selection Cadre (2019), my understanding of what OCdts did at RMAS was limited. As a JNCO, I believed that RMAS
We currently have 4 CSgt Instructors, a WO2 and a Company Commander at RMAS. This is not uncommon and highlights the quality of the 1st Battalion and the wider Royal Welsh community. The broad oversight offered by so many different instruc- tors is crucial when it comes to the Regimental Selection Boards. Every opinion is invaluable when it comes to selecting future Royal Welsh Offic-
ers from such a competitive cohort. The qual- ity of the Royal Welsh instructors inspires and draws only the best OCdts to consider a future in the Royal Welsh family.
My time at the Academy has been most enjoy- able, and, indeed the highlight of my career thus far. I would highly recommend any aspir- ing Sgt/CSgt to instruct at RMAS. The RMAS SNCO Selection Cadre was the most challeng- ing endeavour I have attempted during my time in the Army, but ultimately the most rewarding. During the cadre, candidates are tested physi- cally and mentally and are expected to com- plete all the main physical events of the Regu- lar Commissioning Course, including Ex LONG
I have had to completely adapt my teaching style to achieve the required impact through virtual means
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