Page 59 - RADC 2020

Now the hard work well and truly began, reading everything and anything I could get my hands on with regards to the AMS...
and memorials were duly maintained throughout my tenure.
Commissioning was something I had often thought of but without real substance or structure. It was, however, during my time as CRSM that I realised that I still had more to give and that unfortunately, I couldn’t be CRSM forever, so I read the DIN, looked into the process, and started the pre-requisite paperwork.
The process of commissioning itself was something of a challenge and stretched me from my comfort zone, which is always a good thing! It involved numerous interviews and as I didn’t have any Army personnel within my CoC, I had to go through Director Med for the pre-requisite tick in the box and subsequent forwarding of initial paperwork.
The paperwork went in and I had the painful wait to see if
the sift at APC had
been successful for
me or not. Trying
to prep for the LE Commissioning event and being mindful that if I wasn’t successful I would commence my resettlement almost immediately left me feeling extremely anxious about what my future would hold.
The wait was over,
and I was informed via APC that I was invited to attend a 3-day selection board
to test my suitability for commissioning.
Now the hard work well and truly began, reading everything and anything I could
get my hands on with regards to the AMS, Wider Defence, politics, and questioning colleagues who had previously gone through
Pte ‘Hellewell’ in recruit basic training at ATR Lichfield 1995
Women 100 at Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
the process. Then it was time to iron my best civilian corporate outfits and conduct the final bits of prep prior to heading to the Officers Mess for a meet and greet, the commencement of the event.
The whole LECAB consisted of several serials developed to put individuals under a certain element of pressure in order to get
a true reflection and hopefully the best (but, sometimes, the worst) out of the candidates. Debates, analysis of doctrine, and planning
exercises were a favourite of the DS with the smell of competition running rife within the syndicates. Evenings were not 100% relaxed as there was always something to prep for the next day. The most daunting aspect for me was the final interview involving Col AMS and ComdSM, with
another couple of full colonels thrown in for good luck, who preceded to question me on all aspects ranging from why do I want to commission to what is my favourite quality street? (Honestly.... FYI it’s the big, purple one)
Off I went at the end of the 3 days, none the wiser as to how I did with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Fortunately, my hard work must have paid off as a couple of months later I was successfully selected for LE Commission as a Dental Support Officer (DSO).
My first job as a Captain was up in
York at 34 Field Hospital, working with
a Role 2 Field Hospital, trialling CBRN tentage, and constantly going on Exercise, sometimes glamourous locations but mostly Dishforth Airfield (google it if you want to know how exciting that was). There my role was working within the Ops room as watchkeeper and ensuring that when casualties occurred that they were
received and recorded appropriately prior
to evacuating them out of the hospital. I really enjoyed my time there and as the only RADC on site there was the occasional ‘banter’ but rest assured, I held my own and by the end of it I was deemed as one of ‘them’, although I like to think with a slight advantage.
My second and most recent posting is back to Lichfield... where it all began 25 years ago, as HQ DMS(W) Adjutant. A position I am honoured to hold and although I only took up this post at the end of July,
I am looking forward to the ‘challenges’ of a Ph2 and Ph3 Training Establishment combined with a 2* HQ brings.
Anyone thinking of developing and extending their career should give the Late Entry Commission some thought; it requires hard work, effort and commitment but doesn’t everything worth having?
It wasn’t always plain sailing, I had moments of self-doubt and had to manage my own expectations of what I was hoping for against the reality of what I got. But I’ve had days like that as a soldier as well so it’s not exclusive...
Capt Drapier on completion of LE Commissioning Course at RMAS
RADC BULLETIN 2020 57