Page 38 - The Wish Stream Year of 2022

Exercise SLIM’S STAND
OCdt Preston
Is that a cocker spaniel which I see before me, running around our designated minefield as we stand to? Of course not; I am hallucinat-
ing. Because this is Ex SLIM’S STAND, the third exercise of Intermediate Term, and the culmi- nating exercise of the informally named ‘Hateful Eight’ first weeks of the term.
This is a company level exercise that concludes our defensive operations module. We spent five days establishing our main defensive area (MDA), digging and constructing trenches, lay- ing obstacles, as well as taking the fight to the enemy with standing patrols, raids, and fighting off attacks.
The exercise has been put into even sharper relief in light of events in Ukraine. You don’t have to look far into the conflict to see the skills we are learning put into practise against the Russians.
Similarly, the statement made by General Sir Patrick Saunders at the RUSI Land Conference earlier in July made clear that we are mobilising to prevent Russian aggression, and defence is a crucial part of that strategy.
“But Colour Sergeant,” I ask, waist deep in a hole, three days into exercise, “Is two weeks on Defensive Ops during a 44-week course enough for the emerging threat we seem to be facing from the East?”
“Shut up, Preston.” Perhaps it is a question to be answered by people more important than this OCdt. In the meantime, I’ll just keep digging.
Alamein Company occupied a large, flat sprawl of land in the Stanford Training Area. It was a rather beautiful place to forgo sleep and lose your mind, and we were blessed with clear skies
36 SANDHURST