Page 18 - The Light Blue Volunteer 2019

Commissioning Course Short 183
I joined CCS 183 for Module C and
D as a reservist, arriving at the Royal Military Sandhurst, complete with ironing board, dust-buster and “kit list complete”. JUO McConnell had just vacated room 179, 38 Platoon, Victory Building the day before. I took up his place in the very same room.
The first two weeks of Mod C began with two days in the classroom, mostly behavioural science. Then on to Wavell’s Warrior, the flagship exercise. Over 5 days in the field we all rotated through command positions and with a healthy dose of digging we made it through with mercifully reasonable weather. The real challenge was staying awake for the rest of Mod C!
The focus was really clear for the next module and there are two standout pieces. Firstly I found Horrocks Endeavour, a 36 hour exercise, the most fun of the course. A last chance for some command appointments, and a “baptism” at the end all made it a
great last ex. Returning to Victory and continuing with lessons got everyone keyed up for the second standout piece - the “confidence test” in the respirator test facility. This was hilarious – and nowhere near as bad as you think so honestly it was not worth all the worry!
The final few days are spent preparing for the Commissioning Parade, with healthy doses of drill and polishing. The parade went off well, with a smattering of royalty, a delicious lunch and a top quality ball, and lo, we all were now officers.
Everyone asks “did you enjoy it?” and the answer is a tricky one. It’s a really good course and definitely worth doing for anyone considering it. Some bits were really enjoyable and we had some great craic. The course is fast paced and in places a bit of slog, but with rose tinted hindsight, each week back at my desk in civvy street makes Sandhurst seem more and more like fun!
2Lt Clarke
18 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER