Page 23 - Chiron Issue 2 2014

Soldier Personnel Selection (SPSO) Officer Board
The RAVC are very fortunate as a Corps to have the opportunity to pre-select our soldiers prior to them beginning Phase 1 training at the Army Training Regiment Pirbright. The selection process is carried out between Army Medical Services Recruiting and the Defence Animal Centre and it is a privilege that that allows us to pick from what the Armed Forces Career and Information Office (ACIO) believes to be the cream of the crop thereby ensuring that we are getting the best recruits coming into training. The SPSO Board recently evolved into an assessment carried out over 2 days at the Defence Animal Centre that allows us to gain a more accurate appraisal of the candidate’s character and to see if they possess the attributes which we believe to make the best possible handler. The attributes which we are looking for are patience, physical fitness, confidence, determination, courage, motivation, team work and the ability to communicate well.
On arrival in the evening the candidates have an Induction Brief that contains information on health and safety, security and conduct whilst at the Defence Animal Centre. From the moment they arrive the
By Sgt Simpson RAVC
candidates are under assessment with the more formal process starting early the next morning. The morning is devoted to leaderless command tasks. For this the candidates are split into syndicates to complete three tasks; two practical and one theoretical throughout which they are assessed on how they interact with one another and how they approach the problem solving aspects of the tasks. The candidates also complete an Animal Behaviour Assessment during which they are shown a number of canine pictures and asked what behaviour they believe the dog is showing. We are not looking for a canine psychologist but just to see if they possess any knowledge prior to joining us and if the knowledge they claim to have is supported!
Following the morning assessments there is the opportunity for the candidates to watch a basic dog demo carried out by the current Phase 2 course and talk with the course and the instructors about life in the RAVC, Phase 1 training and peoples careers to date.
Prior to lunch the candidates complete the standard Personal Fitness Assessment. Being classed as civilians, however, the
standards expected are slightly lower. There is also a memory assessment incorporated into the session where the candidates are shown a number of items prior to the fitness assessment and then upon completion they are asked to recollect what they were shown to give us an idea of their observational skills. Immediately following the fitness assessment there is a basic strength assessment carrying a 30kg Military Working Dog dummy for approximately 75 metres.
Following the fitness session candidates shower and change in preparation for their interview. The interview is daunting prospect conducted in front of a panel of RAVC and members of 1 MWD Regiment. The candidates are quizzed on subjects such as RAVC history, the military in general, dog related questions along with their personal motivations and life experiences
Each of the components is integral in allowing us to gain the best possible picture of the candidates overall character and aptitude thereby helping to ensure that we are training what we believe to be the very strongest candidate.
Potential recruits sitting theory assessments
Potential recruits are shown the facilities at the Defence Animal Centre Potential recruits under physical assessment
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