Page 13 - Cormorant Issue 18

A Civil Service Student Perspective
by Miss Rosalie Collis
ARRIVING AS A CIVIL servant (not just a civilian as we were later cautioned) was a daunting prospect. Surrounded by a sea of uniforms which, particularly in reference to the various Army regiments, did not seem to match or have any sort of commonality was like trying to read a brand new language.
As one of four civil servants on ACSC 18, we were representing not only our own Service but also the civilian point of view, something which was easier at some points in the course than others. Meanwhile, we faced the same challenges as the military
- how to complete essays whilst balancing mountains of reading and attending lectures with more ‘isms’ added to the end of words than ever before.
the strategic and operational levels
was not always easy, and rarely straight forward, quite often being represented
in syndicate room discussions where discussions would escalate as the result of an interjection such as ‘a minister probably wouldn’t agree with that’. This is what made ACSC so valuable from my perspective, because considering the military and operational rami cations of decisions made in London is incredibly dif cult to do when you do not spend a signi cant amount of time experiencing the military machine and its processes.
The military process was most stark on our maritime, land and air combat power visits. Seeing up close the military capabilities and
spending time with
the soldiers, sailors and airmen who make them work was an amazing insight into the realities of Defence. This was particularly true during the land visit, where we got to see the logistic process (including casualty
evacuation) from start to nish, which was eye opening. It is very easy to think about these processes, but dif cult to comprehend without seeing them exercised in reality.
I count myself incredibly fortunate to have attended ACSC 18, and have experienced the various cultures (both our own British military, and international). As our military colleagues move onto command or staff appointments, their interaction with civil servants stands to increase, so I believe
our presence on the course has provided a valuable insight that they will use in their future careers. I am certain it will be useful in mine.
“The military process was most stark on
our maritime, lan” and air combat power visits.
11
We were incredibly
fortunate to have such
a supportive military
cadre, throughout
my time at ACSC
I have never been
more grateful for an
acronym translator
or an explanation
for a military
reference, often given in hushed tones in the Cormorant Hall as I stared blankly
at a speaker. This was particularly true in Campaigning, during CJEX and my time on the Ways module when the military jargon came thick and fast, often interspersed with equally impenetrable diagrams.
Contribution and getting involved was key to my time on ACSC, making sure that I spoke about the particular challenges and issues that events, in Molowelo or in the real world, might impact on the strategic headquarters and how these political rami cations can roll down to impact on the operational level. The meeting between
d