Page 15 - The Cormorant 2018

International Service Introduction
Squadron Leader Omar Browne
British military culture, the course curriculum, as well
as getting to know the fellow International officers on Course.
The first week was a consolidated mix of introductory briefs, organisational briefs and basic explanatory lectures on the UK political and military structure. The schedule included familiarisation sessions for the VLE and
city and the world renowned
university. The culmination of the stage was marked by an inter-
syndicate sports day, followed by barbecue which allowed our families to interact while enjoying the local customs and cuisine. The perfect ending to
an excellent professional and cultural introduction to this Course.
ACSC 21 CONSISTED OF the largest ever contingent of international
officers, with over 100 officers from 55 different countries. For
Hobson library, as well as an essential orientation tour of the College and its confusingly symmetrical corridors. We came to familiarise ourselves with the environment that will be home for the next 10 months and be prepared for the challenges of ACSC.
A variety of exercises gave us the opportunity to practise our writing skills, presentation skills, working together as a team, and a taste of the requirements of Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE. In addition, the intense discussions during various Syndicate Room Activities were immensely useful in providing a glimpse
many, the few weeks before the
International Service Introduction
had been a logistical blur of shifting,
settling and acclimatising to the
British weather and lifestyle,
interspersed with opportunistic
exploration of the surrounding“ of what was to come during ACSC 21. countryside. The
International Service
Introduction stage was
therefore an administrative
respite that provided a of international provided an interesting succinct introduction to officers... ◆◆◆ historical perspective of the
...the largest The academic elements were balanced by an invigorating
ever contingent walking tour of Oxford, which
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Perspective from Barbados
A Bajan In The Cormorant!
Major Carlos Lovell
BEING AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY to attend a military course is a privilege which few Barbadian military officers have enjoyed recently. This opportunity is even more special for me because I have the honour of being the first military officer from Barbados to
attend ACSC. My attendance on ACSC 21 has been a career-defining experience. It has challenged me to expand my horizons, strive for academic excellence and develop myself as a professional officer. This Course is the ideal preparation for my next posting as
the Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment, and has furnished me with the tools to tackle key issues facing defence at the operational level in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, my family was not able to accompany me to the UK. However, this has afforded me the opportunity to immerse myself to life in the Mess to observe how British officers socialise. While on ACSC I have been impressed by the diversity of the cohort and the professionalism of the students and staff here. Needless to say, the international students have been well integrated into the Course and I have made friends and memories which I will treasure for many years to come. This Course has provided many memorable moments, too numerous to do justice in this short article, however the RSE trip to Hungary, the pomp and flair of the mess dinners, trips to various museums and sightseeing in old historic British towns standout in my mind for special mention. In summary, ACSC has been a fantastic, career changing experience for me which I will never forget.