Picture: Graeme MainSOLDIERS DO THEIR BEST
■OPERATING alongside Scouts and Girl
Guides might not be what most soldiers had
in mind when they signed up, but a small
number of troops have been volunteering
their free time to work with these
youngsters and showcase military life.
It follows the Army’s decision to sponsor
a badge for each organisation – a mechanic
badge for the Scouts and a leadership
badge for the Guides.
As a result, soldiers are being asked to
give up an evening to help their local group
get to grips with these skills.
The first involves basic vehicle
maintenance – checking oil and tyres,
for example – and can be delivered by
any Army driver or member of the Royal
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The
other can be delivered by any Serviceman or
woman after a short spell of training.
Maj Louise Henderson (AGC (SPS)), of
the civil engagement branch in Regional
Command, said the scheme was a fun way
for the Service to explain itself.
“We’re looking for any soldiers willing
to give up some free time to deliver the
badges, which should take around four
hours each,” she told Soldier.
Among those already involved are
members of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier
Guards Light Aid Detachment, who
undertook the mechanic badge with a local
Scout group last month (pictured).
Anyone interested in this or other Army
engagement activities can email louise.
[email protected] or join the
closed Facebook group “Army Volunteers”.This way we're
not turning
them away
IN THIS MONTH’S
★★ ★ ★★
★ ★
"Fanning's vocals can't save
this unexceptional offering"
★★PAGE 61
http://www.soldiermagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2019 17R
ECRUITS struggling with elements
of basic training at Pirbright and
Winchester are to be given more
tailored support.
A new formation has been set up to
help trainees who need extra time to
meet the required standard.
Named to mark the 75th anniversary
of D-Day, Normandy Company will
take youngsters through a four-
week package based on the mantra
resilience, recovery, retrain and resettle.
Capt Chris Ashford (RA) from Initial
Training Group explained the course
covers a raft of topics from functional
skills such as maths and English, to
physical fitness and mental robustness.
“If someone comes to the
assessment centre and they're not
quite at the mark to start training, this
will develop them,” he said.
“That way we’re not turning them
away and saying ‘come back in six
months’ during which time they could
find another job.”
The company will also offer bespoke
tuition to soldiers who have started
their 14-week phase one package but
have fallen behind through injury orare weak in certain aspects.
“They will be put through an
individualised programme to bring
them up to scratch and then rejoin the
course,” added Capt Ashford.
“The purpose is to help them
understand their potential rather than
discourage them, thereby increasing the
number who achieve the exit standard.”
As part of the new set-up, officer
cadets from the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst’s Lucknow
Platoon – the holding formation for
injured troops – will teach part of the
Normandy Company syllabus.
They will deliver orders, design
lessons and mentor recruits in a move
aimed to boost their own development
and mental health training.
“Across the Service mental and
wellbeing issues are most prevalent
in injured personnel in training,”
continued Capt Ashford.
“This is also valuable in that it gives
the officers quality time working with
soldiers prior to leaving Sandhurst and,
likewise, the recruits will experience
more about the type of people who will
lead them in future.“Better
supported
Troops to be encouraged – not put off – during basic training
"The author's
emotions are
laid bare in this
excellent book""Airplay is
guaranteed but
real substance
is lacking "16-17-sol-aug.indd 2 25/07/2019 18: