Page 19 - Chiron Winter 2020

Life within
ITT during
the global
pandemic
by SSgt Woolfe
When the first case of COVID 19 was detected within the UK, little did we know that it would affect the way we (the Military) and all other civilian companies would conduct their way of business and has changed our way of living for the foreseeable future, or was it ‘the new normal’.
Our first effective strategy was
to streamline the 9-week Initial Trade Training (ITT) course to 7 weeks. One of the key factors for this change was to accommodate the outflow of recruits, as all of whom had been sent home for over 10 weeks from ATC Pirbright. Once they would resume training, the ‘tap’ would yet again be turned
on and the backflow of soldiers would soon descend on to the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR). We had to be ‘COVID’ ready and to ensure that our ITT team maintained all Government guidelines and MOD policy were always carried out.
Physical Training would have
to change, ensuring 4 metres per person was in place and not the normal 2. Stationary strength
and conditioning exercises and individual fartlek, sprint exercises were what we were constrained to, in order to keep the students safe and ensuring that social distancing
End of course (social distancing) ITT photo on exercise Chiron Challenge
was always maintained. The only use of teaching in a classroom environment was the conference room - as this was the only room that was sufficiently large to accommodate 14 students in one place. The teaching through
Zoom came as an unsung hero throughout the DATR and with the technology and equipment in place, we did manage to deliver effective teaching from the ITT office, whilst all students stayed in their rooms. When working their MWDs in proximity with the baiter facemasks had to be worn and equipment cleaned after each use. Our aim on exercise was to maintain the same battle rhythm but also to ensure the quality of training wasn’t affected by the virus threat. The DATR conducted their first ‘Virtual’ Pass out parade via Zoom, where over 60 people logged in for the Occasion. The students still managed to give a MWD practical demonstration
and also receive presentations from Sgt Woolfe (ITT SNCO) and Lt Col Thompson MBE Commanding Officer DATR. Even though Lt Col Hanson, Commanding Officer of
1st Military Working Dog (1MWD) Regiment could not be physical present for the event, she still managed to deliver her presentation via skype. Colonel Morrison was also in attendance for the pass out parade and he too, was also able to deliver his speech and present all students with their RAVC stable belts and trophy for top student, whilst still abiding social distancing.
Overall running this course during a global pandemic was
a challenging but rewarding experience. Ensuring that the quality of training was still at the same standard of a 9-week course but over 7 weeks was a must!!
Our responsibility to ensure that
all students were fighting fit and COVID free when they left the DATR was also a must! On the 26 Oct 20 the DATR embarked on yet another challenge. The biggest ever ITT course consisting of 22 students began. With the lessons learnt
from the last course, the ITT team were now more than confident that they could deliver better effective training throughout the programme, from within a COVID world.
Lt Col Thompson MBE, Commanding officer DATR. Giving his presentation via Zoom
Sqn Ldr Brockie gives his welcome to ITT students brief via zoom
ITT students conducting physical training whilst maintaining distancing
Chiron Calling / 17