Page 23 - QARANC Vol 17 No 2 2019

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My Officer Cadet journey – a lifelong memory
Rebecca leading the parade after receiving the Sword of Honour for the best officer cadet at Sandhurst July 2019
My first visit to Sandhurst was in 2011 where, on a cold December morning, I attended my older brother’s commissioning parade. My memory of that day was the grandeur of the buildings and grounds and the splendour of the commissioning parade. Little did I think then, that eight years later I would standing on the same square, at my own commissioning parade having completed the Reserve Professionally Qualified Officer Course 192.
My route to Sandhurst started when I joined the Reserves 204 Field Hospital as a student nurse in 2015. I was interested in trauma nursing and was looking to enhance my own nursing knowledge. Later that year I went on to complete my basic training as a reserve solider. During my time at 204 I have completed a number of different professional and military courses and in November 2017 I completed my JNCO Command Leadership and Management course. It was soon after this course that I knew my aspiration was to become an Army officer.
Later in 2018 my officer cadet journey began; the first hurdle was to pass Army Officer Selection Board. I was very nervous and apprehensive about
this, however I was well supported by my unit and given all the preparation needed for attending the two and half day selection process. I can still remember the feeling of not knowing if I had passed or not on the flight home to Belfast. Having successfully completed the board the next phase was the Bravo module, a two-week course at Sandhurst and I was delighted to find out I was not going alone.
Officer Cadet Moffett and I arrived at Sandhurst on the day before the commencement of the PQO course. I was apprehensive, nervous and excited all at the same time but as the other students arrived, I realised that we all felt the same. I quickly settled into the routine of early starts, classroom lessons, tactics lessons, physical fitness, evening lectures, spit and polish and of course plenty of drill practice. The toughest part of the course was being selected as the acting platoon commander during exercise BROWING STORM where I had to organise and plan a harbour occupation followed by an advance to contact for the next day. A special mention to the Sandhurst Wish Stream, I was washing bits from my hair for days!
An example of one of the physically demanding tasks during the course
The most enjoyable experience was the historical tour of Sandhurst and the course dinner night, where everyone got to dress up in their finery and enjoy the four course meal and the musical accompaniment by The Band of the King’s Division.
I really enjoyed my time at Sandhurst and it will be a lifelong memory, the friends I made, our laughs and tears, (mostly on my part), my platoon and the Sandhurst training staff, especially our Colour Sergeant and Platoon Commander, but mostly of the proud moment standing on the parade square and seeing my parents’ and brother’s smiles as they watched me commission.
Lieutenant Rebecca Smyth 204 (NI) Field Hospital
It is with great joy and pride that we can also add that Lieutenant Rebecca Smyth received the Sword of Honour, the Academy’s highest accolade, for the best officer cadet. This is a hotly contested award where the cadet must show resilience, academic and physical ability as well as true leadership and team working skills. We welcome Rebecca into the officers’ mess and into the Reserve Army as a highly dedicated and talented commissioned officer of whom we are extremely proud.
Major Gaby Smyth 204 (NI) Field Hospital
A very proud moment for Rebecca at her pass out parade at Sandhurst in July 2019 after receiving the Sword for best officer cadet during her commissioning course
Lieutenant Rebecca Smyth with her very proud brother and father after the commissioning parade