Page 82 - RADC 2020

C&S JOBS
Journey to Commanding Officer
Lt Col A Woodward-Court
My journey to the Command and Staff cadre arguably started at Birmingham OTC. I enjoyed the different challenges that came with weekends and drill nights in uniform. The first time that these merged with my clinical vocation was in my initial tour as a Dental Officer. With the highs (and lows) of RMAS and the EOC behind me, the focus was on providing the best dental care I could. I wore uniform for the ten-minute drive to work and back. Whilst the location (Germany) and ancillary elements (such
as the mess) separated me from my civvy mates, I aspired, like many others before and since, to consolidate my clinical and military skill-sets and this opportunity came with deployment to Iraq. There, I learned about delivering dentistry on operations. I also began to understand better Medical Squadrons and Field Hospitals.
My clinical career progressed: from a large, multi-chair centre (with two RADC technicians in the centre – only 15 years ago!), to a 3-chair centre and then my own DC in Hounslow. Here I discovered the challenges and delights of being OIC and working closely with an infantry regiment. Barely halfway through my assignment, I received a call from the PDO (not always great news). They asked if I would consider putting my name in the hat for an out-of- committee board assignment to the recently re-established post of DO to 4 Med Regt. This sounded like exactly the sort of thing I’d joined up for and, in short, I got the job and moved to Aldershot, where the Regiment were preparing to deploy.
In amongst the deployment (which ended up being a Sqn(-), but included the dental team) and working at the Dental Centre, I was fortunate to have many opportunities
at 4 Med Regt. These would have been considered ‘extra-curricular’ were I purely a DDS/DPHC asset. But the Field Army (and the differences with other Services) worked to my advantage. I filled a staff learner role at 3 (UK) Div HQ – where I had to learn fast – and then after promotion to Major I ‘job-shared’ SO2 Med BATUK with Rich Price, taking a few months each. Thanks to regimental and
squadron PT, and with help from my DN, Dom Silsby, and the RCMO, Harold Winder, my PFT time was reducing (I still remember running around the polo fields 15 seconds under the cut-off when I first joined 4 Med Regt). 72 hours after returning from Kenya, I was on the hills in Catterick, having done ‘the hardest part’ and filled in my application for P Company months previously.
With some kind words from 3 (UK) Div’s Comd Med in my report (omitting the time he patiently explained the difference between MEDEVAC and CASEVAC), I was primed for ICSC(L) and delighted to be selected. Always keen to learn, I was confident of being the best dentist on the course(!) I also made new friendships and consolidated others. Two
are currently peer Med Regt COs, and many others are now in Command. A particularly good friend lives a few doors down from me nowandwemetwhenhewasmyOCatP Coy, shouting “come on – chairborne!”, a few months prior to Shrivenham.
When the ‘dream sheet’/PPP came around, it was a whole new world. No dental centres and an opportunity to get my wings. I was selected to be SO2 Med at 16 (Air Assault) Brigade HQ, as they returned from Op HERRICK 13. Not for the first time, I faced a huge learning curve, but RADC personnel are not averse to facing up to such tests and I succeeded in being recommended for sub-unit command of
19 Med Sqn, 16 Med Regt. This was a wonderful assignment, starting and finishing with large overseas exercises in Kenya and America. The latter finished with a night exercise – jumping out of a jet, with over 2000 others, including my Role 1 and 2 team members, following our kit down to the DZ (safe in the knowledge that other members of the Sqn were proving med cover) – an experience that will live with me forever.
In more than one way, I came down to earth with a bump, for a few short weeks later, I was working in Army HQ, behind a desk and concerned with Capability Development. I managed to add (US) interoperability to my portfolio and made sure that dental decisions were correctly
informed and up-to-date. This was a crucial element, as the SO1 Dental post was being ‘de-enriched’. Fortunately, a succession of fine RADC Majors have more than kept the flame alive. With the benefits of Shrivenham training, with or without command aspirations, the dental staff officer is vital in many different headquarters. I recommend that SNCOs and officers get experience
‘on the staff’ whenever they are able. Not only does it benefit the wider RADC and AMS, it develops the individual’s skills correspondingly and in a way that makes
for better delivery of patient care from the macroscopic to the single dental centre level.
For those who want to step formally into the command and staff world, then the highpoint is arguably Unit Command. I am very fortunate to be Commanding Officer of 16 Medical Regiment. This is not a role that I, or my RMAS or EOC instructors, foresaw me undertaking when I joined!
The very first CO of 16 Medical Regiment, two decades ago, was the now Maj Gen Carmichael L/RADC, who might have had an inkling when he gave me some work experience 20+ years ago! Along the way, I have been fortunate to work with some of the now more senior members of the AMS: Brig Tony Finn and Colonels Alison Farmer and Phil Carter were all my OC at one point or another. Along with the many soldiers and officers of the RADC who have helped, mentored and coached me, I feel lucky.
I have undertaken a little mentoring myself and helped organise a deployable dental team study day, but I would like to
do more for the Corps. As I regretfully but necessarily become more detached from clinical delivery, I can commensurately offer more in the command and staff world; from use of 16 Med Regt facilities to advice and guidance. I would be delighted to hear from any member of the RADC who would like support. I especially welcome those who feel under-represented. Get in touch!
Those who would like to reach out can do so by MODnet or email: armydentist@ armymail.mod.uk
80 RADC BULLETIN 2020