Page 55 - The Wish Stream Year of 2022

International Officer Cadets at Sandhurst
OCdt Abela Katrin from Malta and OCdt Lancheros Rocha Danna Giselle from Colombia
CC221 at the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst has been an unrelenting chal- lenge since the first day of Junior Term.
On day one, ironing board Sunday, we were removed from the comfort of a single group of all international cadets and placed into nine dif- ferent platoons, where we were now a minority. In groups of approximately five OCdts, we were then faced with the complex task of integrating into the British Army and its customs. We all had much to learn and a great will to do so.
Each OCdt came from a different background and had their own strengths and experiences to share with their respective platoons, turning dif- ferences into advantages and striving to achieve the teams’ goals. Much like the diverse levels of experience that the British OCdts brought to their platoons, the International OCdts varied from those straight off civvy street to those already commissioned officers in their respective armies. So, for some, the content of the Commissioning Course was completely new, while others could compare what they were being
taught to what they already knew from their home nations.
Another piece of work for Inter-
national OCdts was to get used
to a different type of leadership, where a mis- take does not mean a punishment all night, but instead takes 30 minutes of your time to get ready for a show parade. However, less shout-
ing means more responsibility to not let your pla- toon down, but also to be able to represent your nation proudly, with your head held high. This
is an added pressure that Interna- Work for your team tional OCdts feel they must shoulder and they will work throughout their experience at Sand- hurst, over and above the stresses of
If I were to give one piece of advice to any aspir- ing Sandhurst OCdts I would say: “Work for your team and they will work for you too!” You cannot go through Sandhurst alone. Once you become a team that is willing to support each member, what previously seemed to be insurmountable – like getting to Germany and surviving those two weeks on Ex DYNAMIC VICTORY – becomes possible, and before you know it, it’s done.
We are nothing but grateful to the level of under- standing and sympathy we have received from the staff and most British OCdts. Everyone at the Academy is aware that being away from home and in a culture that is alien to most of us is a challenge in and of itself.
for you too! the course itself.
SANDHURST 53