On Saturday, the pupils attended the Officer Insight Day at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the facility that houses, trains and builds the future officers of the British Army.
writes Thomas B. and Christoph Z. (Fifths):
The day was an in depth look into how the RMAS looks after its Officer Cadets during each term of their 42 week long course, which is structured around teaching cadets core military knowledge which will support them throughout their career, with additional tactical and leadership qualities that are fundamental to their responsibilities as an officer in the military. Following on from our careers as a cadets at the MTS CCF and as aspiring Officers ourselves, our time at Sandhurst shared key information for the application process and the aptitudes that the army look for during the thorough recruitment process.
Our day started in Victory Hall which had been set up with numerous booths, each sporting a regimental or “cap badge” banner behind them- sharing details of life in the respective regiment, with associated officers and soldiers boasting the strengths of each particular group. This activity offered a comfortable environment and with knowledgeable individuals to tolerate our interrogative questioning, made for a memorable part of our visit. Having been ushered out of Victory Hall into Churchill Hall, an incredibly large auditorium, we were subjected to an intensive ninety minute presentation that provided the life stories of retired and present officers, including anecdotes from their time at Sandhurst and what the army has allowed them to achieve (including one officer who is taking his third Master’s degree this year, stating that “You can never have enough degrees, especially when you’re not the one paying for them.”) This was an interesting story and one that we hadn’t seen coming, but we were soon informed of the numerous programmes in place to further educate the officers at any stage in their career. This particularly appealed to Thomas, as someone who was already looking into the army’s scholarship schemes for university subsidising, and this helped to clearly elucidate how education-focused the army really is.
Overloaded with information, we were buzzing to get out and look around the massive campus with Tour Group Two, led by two seasoned officers and two intermediate term cadets to answer any questions along the way. One of whom we recognised from a Cadet trip to Hankley Common, and so as we shared fun experiences of our time on mutual ground, our group was guided into the accommodation for Officer Cadets. Orderly and tidy, this setting looked nothing like either of our rooms at home(!) but one Officer Cadet explained how casual the setting really was outside of the designated training times, sounding more like a relaxed dormitory with a living area where late night conversation thrives than the strict curfew setting we had envisioned. Apparently conversations never run dry with cadets coming to train from across the globe, bringing a fusion of cultures and diversity into the ancient walls of the academy.
As we started to fade, lunch was a relieving sight. After a quick tikka in the mess hall, we found ourselves on the steps of New College, a reputable and historic building but one that doesn’t compare to the gravitas that we experienced on the steps of Old College. This prestigious building has been separating civilians from Officers since its construction in 1812, and its beauty is a testament to its dignified purpose it serves at the academy. Its steps taper to the thick black doors that had opened up to us as visitors, the stairs worn down from the generations of proud officers that marched up the steps after passing out and commissioning for their chosen regiment upon the completion of their training at Sandhurst.
Subsequently, we made our way to the Chapel, a monumental building on the campus, filled with plaques for fallen officers, commissioned from Sandhurst from all regiments, current and amalgamated who died fighting in wars for Britain and its allies. All in all, the Chapel was described to us as a “quiet and peaceful place” for those of all faiths to find peace of mind from the relentless training that they are subjected to outside the lushly decorated walls of this secluded space. Along with several padres on standby for the cadets’ wellbeing, (this being a major focus at Sandhurst), there is another facility called The Huddle, which is a strict non-uniform zone, open only to Officer Cadets as a break from the relentless cries of their instructors. It is uniquely designed to mimic a civilian family room, with the aim to provide further cadet peace of mind. Lastly, we were given a tour of the Gymnasium and given a thorough explanation of the role of fitness at the Sandhurst through PT sessions and sport. Interestingly, we found out that the structuring of this physical training is aimed to be sustainable and teach Officer Cadets about how to keep fit once they have left the academy, alongside introducing members of the Armed Forces to the different events and exercises that a cadet might be subjected to during their time at Sandhurst.
Our day at Sandhurst was an unbelievable experience that offered us facts and compelling experiences that simply aren’t accessible online. It really gave us a feel for what life is like both during and after your time at the academy, and introduced us to the community that is formed over the terms spent here. Thomas left looking forward for his application for an army scholarship in Lower Sixth, and the chance to hopefully join the great and diverse family that is the British Army.
We would strongly recommend this amazing experience for any students who are considering joining the Army as an Officer. It gives a unique perspective that is not accessible elsewhere. If anyone is interested in future opportunities such as this, there are multiple occasions across the year. The sign up link and further information can be accessed with this link:
https://jobs.army.mod.uk/regular-army/events/officer-insight-events/
