Page 54 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

52 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) Training Wing
As is the norm, a regular turnover of personnel replicates the many courses which pass through the Training Wing. Promotions were a primary cause for these changes. Mr Doak to Warrant Officer Class II reduced his Fitbit steps to Motor Transport Warrant Officer (MTWO), Sergeant Major Rogers holds the position of DMSS, Sergeant Major Chappell returns to the Training Wing from Bovington, Sergeant Major Palmer has been posted to Warminster, Sergeant Major Quinn becomes the Dismounted Close Combat Senior (DMCC) Instructor and the ever-optimistic Sergeant Major Edwards remains in post as the Regimental Gunnery Staff Sergeant.
The year began with a successful Combat Vehicle Reconnais- sance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) Battle Group Thermal Imagery (BGTI) recruit gunner course, with a range package conducted in Lulworth. This supplied the Regiment with a further 12 keen gunners. Congratulations go to Lance Corporal Alexander who fired a 100% score for his individual gunner test. We have also held a couple of successful part two signals course where we have qualified over 40 budding soldiers into complex platform warriors- in turn trying to convince them that the handset is mightier than the sword! With two courses completed, and two more courses planned for the early part of 2019 we will have the Royal Lancers overflowing with competent and keen part two signallers.
Deployment to Operation TOSCA 28 left the Regimental Gun- nery Staff Sergeant, Sergeant Major Chappell and the Training Officer to dream up new ways of retuning training to within the Regiment. This begun with the destruction of Mr Lucas’s belov- ed 1940s black board and a facelift for the Training Wing cinema and javelin trainer to provide a better environment for training. Further development of training techniques and innovative ap- proaches continues throughout.
Much like Jerry Springer, it’s time for the Training Wing’s final thought. With millennials providing a larger share of the work place, attitudes and approaches will change. We continue to adapt to these changes and must all educate ourselves. It is im- portant to reminding our soldiers that, just like the introduction of JPA that helps to provide responsibility of personal finances, they are equally responsible for their own training. This they may not know or grasp without clear direction. Professionalism is an understated quality. With the ease of access to the Defence Learning Environment (DLE) and Army Knowledge Exchange (AKX), there is little excuse to shy away from getting one’s head in the online learning matieral. This can include just revising some fieldcraft or if you’re going to start pre-course, identify- ing what you’ll be learning. This attitude will help greatly in a soldier’s career and future. The doors are always open to soldiers wishing to learn.
DE