Page 52 - The Wish Stream Year of 2022

Fail, Learn, Win
CSgt North
The time had arrived: September 2020 and my post at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) had started. It had been a long 9 months to this point, returning early from an operational tour in Afghanistan to under- take Guards and Parachute Regiment pre cadre; testing my suitability, followed by the actual cadre; I had been successful in being selected. Then came the continuation training during the ever-developing global COVID pandemic. I stood outside Churchill Hall, built in 1970 and named after iconic British Prime Minister, Win- ston Churchill (coincidentally one of my favour- ite leaders), ready to receive my first briefs on expectations of instructors at RMAS and what I could expect in return.
It was quite apt that the new army motto ‘fail, learn, win’ reflected Churchill’s character. This resonated in me over the next two years and would become key in the development of OCdts, my instruction and equally key in my own per- sonal development.
Having been an instructor at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick twice before, I knew I found the challenge of developing and nurturing individu- als very rewarding. The fact that these recruits would be joining the Parachute Regiment and that I was responsible for upholding the ethos and maintaining the standards set out by Mont- gomery’s ‘What Manner of Men’ furthered this reward. I had the same task at RMAS with OCdts; I would at times have to tailor my expec-
tations – not everyone was training to become a Paratrooper. OCdts would still be expected to uphold the value and standards and apply the leadership code. This may sound simple in task, but when pressure and constraints are applied, to stay focused, the gentle reassurance of the platoon commander (Pl Comd) and Colour Ser- geant (CSgt) would be vital. Blood, sweat and tears, retraining and retesting, all with one end goal: developing the future officer within a rapidly evolving British Army, not only in society but with an ever-changing worldwide threat.
After two terms in the Dismounted Close Combat Wing (DCCW), being affiliated to a platoon and assisting another CSgt and Pl Comd in deliver- ing training, May 2021 arrived and I was about to step into the Pl CSgt role with 5 Pl, Inkerman Company Commissioning Course 212. The first five weeks were fast and furious; OCdts and instructors were feeling the effects of 0500 starts and 15+ hour days. It was a flurry of inspections, drill, and introduction lessons to the basics of sol- dering. I learnt a lot about the OCdts in those first five weeks, but I learnt more about myself and where I needed to improve. The first five weeks
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