Page 99 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

RMAS Mercian Permanent Staff
A Colour Sergeants perspective on Intermediate Term at RMAS
CSgt Dean Geoghegan
Intermediate Term is a marked change for the Platoon CSgt as the programme builds on the foundations of basic soldiering and officership that is taught in Junior Term. Officer Cadets refine their understanding of offensive actions, increase their exposure to enabling activities, and learn about defensive operations within a company context. Deployments include Hankley Common, Thetford, and Sennybridge training area.
In addition to three week-long field exercises set within the conventional operating environment, OCdts continue to develop their conceptual understanding
of Command and Leadership with a particular focus on ethics, morality of killing,
and stress in combat. Guest speakers included former Chief of the General Staff Lord Richard Dannatt, former Leader of the Opposition Lord William Hauge, and our very own Major Simon Cupples CGC. The module also includes Ex NORMANDY SCHOLAR, a battlefield study that considers the start of the Allied Northwest European Campaign during the Second World War.
One of the most anticipated elements of the Regular Commissioning Course is when the OCdts find out which regiment they will be joining following the week 12 Regimental Selection Boards (RSBs). During RSBs, the OCdts undergo rigorous interviews with the
hope of obtaining a place in one of their two chosen regiments having already undergone a fiercely competitive screening process during the first six months of Sandhurst.
Before my arrival at RMAS I was completely unaware of how challenging this process can be as the OCdts try and find the regiment or corps that they will start their careers in. In the penultimate week of the term, the OCdts complete a Transition to Live Fire Tactical Training package at Lydd and Hythe Ranges. Following the Sovereigns Parade in week 14 the term is concluded with the OCdts deploying for a week on a self-planned adventure training expedition.
An Officer Cadets perspective on Senior Term at RMAS
OCdts Millward & Jarrett
Senior Term at Sandhurst was the one we enjoyed most. The RSB process was over so we knew what regiment we would be joining. The lockdown rules were beginning to ease which allowed a more normal experience with sports and social events returning to the training programme.
The final term is also the transition into stabilisation operations and increasing complexity over three field training exercises that also include the urban environment. In addition to this, a free-thinking enemy and civilian population are introduced to provide greater realism.
Moving further into the sub-unit context, roles such as company
commander and intelligence analyst are also introduced. Our personal favourite exercise of the term was Ex TEMPLARS TRIUMPH. Here cadets from different platoons would take it in turns to
act as the civilian population in the contemporary operating environment to test their peers in demanding public order scenarios.
Each person influenced the training which led to a fantastic exercise that was complex and fluid. The course culminated in Ex DYNAMIC VICTORY, a two-week integrated action text exercise in Thetford that has recently returned
to Germany following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.
The exercise traditionally starts
with a Live Fire Tactical Training package before moving into a Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) exercise that concludes with an infamous battle group attack that we will never forget. After an overnight insertion on foot, we begun the assault, one of the best moments of the course.
After months of rain, sweat, drill, cold rations, stag, and essays we ended
the exercise by wearing our regimental headdress for the first time. Placing
on my beret, with the Mercian eagle glistening in the sun, is one of the proudest moments of my life, knowing I was joining a family regiment with such a rich history.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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