RAOC Gazette - page 48
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1978 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1978 |
| Late date | 1978 |
| Transcription |
A Y E A R AT C A M B E R L E Y BY M A J O R A. M THERE are some that aspire to a year at the Staff College, many that dread the thought and no doubt, some that regret the struggle of having been selected. Having just completed the course now is perhaps the best time to reflect on the past year; to forewarn those just starting their year and to put the course in perspective for those who are not sure whether it should form part of their career pattern. Every year one hundred and eighty students, sixty from foreign countries, attend the Army Staff Course at Camberley, The aim of the course is to * develop the professsional know- ledge and understanding of selected officers, in order to prepare them for the assumption of increasing responsibility both in the staff and in command. Prior to arrival at Camberley, Army Staff Course II was further divided into Divisions 1, 2 and 3. Division 1 is for graduates, 2 is for those with 'A' level science and Division 3 is for those with a basic working knowledge of second year school mathematics. Division I and 2 students spend approximately a year at RMCS Shrivenham whilst Division 3 struggle through two months of mindbending. There is however, a long awaited move to send some Division 3 students on a German language course. This is welcome and would be far more valuable to the Army and to the individual. On arrival at Camberley in January of each year the course is divided into the three Divisions, each of sixty students, presided over by a Colonel GS. Within the Division there are six syndicates, each presided over by a Lieutenant Colonel, representing a cross section of arms, services and countries. The course finishes in mid-December and is split into five terms. The first term concentrates on the structure of the Services and staff procedures. It also served to relate the position of the Defence Forces to the social structure of the nation and focuses interest on leadership, war studies and training. Private study is heavy with a large reading list—and the first of the service papers is tackled- The pressure is relieved however, by some memorable visits and lecturers. The President of the National Union of Students on the ' Student in Society,' General Sir John Mogg on leadership and visits to Parliament, Law Courts, Newspapers all help to place the army within the context of national life. During the first term each syndicate examines a particular aspect of military history, draws lessons and presents its findings to the rest of the Division. My syndicate studied Napoleon's use of Task Forces and considered whether the lessons learnt have any bearing on our awn, recently formed, Task Forces in BAOR. With the marvellous facilities of the colleges Alanbrooke Hall (better equipped than some theatres) the presentation can be as dramatic as desired. We borrowed films and French uniforms from London and slides from the French Embassy. One enter- prising member even contacted the author of a book on Napoleon, invited himself to dinner and persuaded the author to attend our presentation as the expert to answer any awkward questions. The cost of his lunch was well worth the effort. The second term begins after two weeks leave and is con- cerned with basic tactics, excluding NBC. It really serves as a Sackcloth to terms three and four and for the logistic officers present, was probably the hardest term of all. It provided splendid opportunities to see the Hampshire and Surrey country- side as much of the term is spent on, or writing, TEWTs. The writing of appreciations and the giving of tactical appreciations and orders becomes less of a struggle after the first few weeks. I discovered that it was far easier to * appreciate and to order ' after a good lunch in a village pub and that to arrange, through a friend, a helicopter recce of the ' battle area' made the DS comments on the anomalies in my solution less cutting than they would otherwise have been. The term is concluded with the first major command post exercises: Divisional Head- quarters with 2 Task Forces fight a two day battle. AH appoint- ments from the GOC downwards are filled by the students. I was nominated Colonel AQ and with great aplomb sited my logistic units and wrote my administrative order. That over my DAA and QMG and CRCT took over and I realised why it is that Colonels have better golf handicaps than their staff. The highlight of the term is the battlefield tour in Normandy when the whole course descends on France. It was a memor- able week, not so much for the wine consumed, but for the tales of heroism of ordinary men—on the ground where the fight- ing actually took place. It was a week of mens reaction in war, the failures of command and staff and, of course, the triumphs. It was a fitting climax to Term 2. ALLKTNH. RAOC Term 3 looks at the problems of counter revolutionary warfare, both urban and rural. Syndicate work continues as before with written exercises set in all corners of the globe; operational orders, briefs, appreciations and service papers. The red ink is generally less than in Terms 1 and 2 and all students are far more confident than on arrival. The RAF Staff College Bracknell and Royal Naval Staff College from Greenwich join us for a weeks study in joint operations. It is an interesting week culminating with a dinner in the Painted Hall at Greenwich. There is an area study, studied in groups of five. My group looked at parliamentary democracy in Africa, and it proved an interesting diversion from studies in urban terrorism. The term is concluded by a three day visit to the American Army in Germany. For many this was the high- light of the course. The generosity, enthusiasm and pro- fessionalism of the American Army has to be experienced to be believed. Many preconceived ideas ware dispelled, some were confirmed, and perhaps most important of all, useful contacts were made for possible inter-unit visits. This is some- thing the Americans are extremely keen to foster, complete units or individual visits. Another memorable visit in Term 3 was two days with the Royal Navy. Our visit coincided with preparations for the Spithead review and to be involved in a Fleet exercise with fourteen British frigates and destroyers was an experience even the Naval Officers found stimulating. Term 4 continues with European warfare including NBC, and is a logical continuation of Term 2, The inevitable TEWTs, exercises, appreciations, NATO area studies and briefings are balanced by the emotive issue of postings. These are preceded by the inevitable rumour and counter rumour of the day they are to be issued. In our case one rumour proved to be correct and they are issued a week earlier than anticipated. As a Corps we have done well and all got the jobs we wanted. John Williams is off as GS02(W) QAD(W), Gordon MacDougall as DAAG(DAR), Peter Haden as DAQMG(Operations/Training/ Management) Cyprus and myself as DAA and QMG Gibraltar. Inevitably, some are disappointed but generally the selection committee take notice of people's wishes and round pegs are found round holes. The term finishes with yet another tele- phone battle lasting thirty six hours. At the end of October we say farewell to the foreign students. Firm friendships have been made and it is a sad occasion. The end of Term 4 is the end of the course as such, November and December being spent on the post staff term finding our way back to reality. The work load decreases and we look at the problems of peacetime soldiering, including studies with the police from Bramshill and another tri-Service period. One final study called New Look, looks ahead at new areas of tactical and weapon development. The exercise actually starts in May but with the heavy workload at that time, little is done until October/November. A great deal of help is offered by Arms Schools, Ministry of Defence and Research Establishments. The culmination is a syndicate presentation to the remainder of the Division and representatives from Government Ministries, Research Establishments, senior officers and academics. It is the last major task before lectures/ presentations by the Commander 1 (BR) Corps, C-in-C UKLF, Army Board members and the Secretary of State for Defence. The final presentation of the year is perhaps the most worth- while and certainly the most enjoyable. Since the beginning of the year a dedicated band of writers, choreographers, musicians, producers and directors have shaped the Staff College panto- mime. It offers the only chance to get back at the Directing Staff, from the General downwards. Rehearsals start in October and reach a fever pitch in the first week of December. Peter Haden was musical director and anybody who has tried to organise a group of officers and wives will understand why he is now sporting more grey hair, although he insists it was the workload in Term 2! In summary, the year can be likened to a cold shower; refreshing when your out of it. There are the inevitable high- lights ; visits, some lectures and even some exercises. But perhaps most important of all is the contacts and friendships made. Hard work it is true, but somehow satisfying when done. It is hardly a course you can recommend to anyone, but I think my advice to anybody going, or contemplating going, to Camberley is: sharpen your mind but most of all—your pencil. 274 — |
| Book number | R0246a |