Page 64 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

Colour Sergeant Instructor in the Wing – First Term
CSgt Matt Bourne, Wing CSgt Instructor
Having been selected to be an instructor at Sandhurst following the RMAS Instructor Cadre at the beginning of the year and after completing a number of other courses in the months after, I was keen to start my new role in the Dismounted Close Combat Wing.
The first five weeks were as fast paced as expected, with lessons and planning going
on into the night. Neither the late nights nor the restrictions brought about by COVID dampened the OCdts’ willingness to learn and I was surprised by just how motivated they were during these first few weeks.
By week eight, the OCdts were ready to deploy on Ex LONG REACH – a circa 60km nav ex typically conducted over the Black Mountains in Wales; however, due to COVID restrictions, this event was moved to Dartmoor where the driving wind and rain on the high ground and the sodden marshes in the low ground made for an equally challenging experience. Having completed this same exercise in February, it was nice to be on the other side of the fence in a DS role and to see
just how much more is expected of an RMAS OCdt in comparison to a Pte from ITC at the same stage of training.
Following a weekend off, the OCdts deployed on Ex FIRST ATTACK and had their first opportunity to lead a section as part of
a hasty attack. This 24hr exercise consisted of a day of section attack loops and allowed the OCdts to put into practice the basic fire and movement drills that they had learned
on Ex SELF RELIANCE and combine it with the theory of section battle drills in order to learn how a Section should function together in the attack. The lessons learned over this exercise will form the basis for larger, more complex offensive actions as the training year progresses.
My short time at Sandhurst so far has
been both challenging and rewarding. It’s a privilege to work with some exceptionally well- motivated SNCOs from across the army and to be able to deliver training to not only the future of the British Army but to a diverse number of OCdts from around the world.
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THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS)
WO2 Miller, CSM
Introducing the new team at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst: WO2 Miller as CSM, and CSgt Bourne and CSgt Geoghegan both as Colour Sergeant Instructors. I would like to say a fond farewell to Maj Lygo, WO2 Timperley and CSgt Kolodynski on completing two years
representing the Mercians at RMAS.
The new additions have been integrated into
New College and the Dismounted Close Combat Wing and are already shaping the future leaders of the Mercian Regiment and wider Army.
OTHER UNITS