When I was at university doing my Masters degree I decided to join the OTC (Officer Training Corps) with a view to getting fitter and learning new skills. Its aim is to train the future generation of Officers for both the Regulars and Reserves. As an organisation it is internationally recognised for providing leadership training.
I was a few years older than most of the recruits as they were mainly undergrads, but we shared lots of team-building skills and age made little difference.
The entry qualification included a mile run and an assault course, the highlight of which (for the officers at least) was to watch us crawl under a massive horizontal scramble net, the underside of which was completely under water. I remember being shocked at this because I had to cover the distance with my eyes totally closed. The alternative was to keep my eyes open….. and lose my contact lenses. It was a real test of stamina.
We were then issued with fatigues, army boots, dress uniform and brogue dress shoes. I think I have a photo buried somewhere of me in the dress uniform which I will include if I can find it.
Training follows a syllabus as laid out by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Weekly training nights are used to build up theory and basic practical lessons. Training and exercises, usually at weekends, were structured around the academic calendar. Most activities took place during the winter and spring terms. Having successfully completed basic training, the amount of time cadets commit to activities depends on the amount of time they can spare.
Our basic training included content relevant to the Military Training Qualification tests (both written and practical tests).
Year one syllabus:
Basic training (MOD Alpha)
This year involves instruction in all basic military techniques, including drill, map reading, camouflage, first aid, weapons training, small unit tactics, radio procedure, and fieldcraft.
When we had done our basic first months training we went on overnight exercises – quite an experience leaping out of an army truck in the pitch dark with a massive backpack and rifle in your hands.
One of the favoured locations was a training ground called Black Dog. I remember one such trip where were installed in barracks late at night and then intentionally woken at 4am to go out on a run. 3 mins to dress, grab your boots and make it to the door. Awake ! and ready to roll.
(My teenagers would fail such a challenge, but I can still do a 5 minute turnaround)
Team A had a lieutenant in charge who made sure his platoon had the correct issue boots. Team B (ours) was more slap-dash and less interested in our podiatry wellbeing. Consequently we were running in the wrong boots, ill fitting and it slowed us as a whole team down.
One of the areas I enjoyed and excelled in was in stripping down a rifle and reassembling it blindfolded. Dexterity was on my side. I also greatly enjoyed the rifle range. Physical stamina was not my forte however, and I do remember occasionally struggling to keep up with the runs.
Not to be put off I enjoyed it so much I put myself forward for pre-RCB training which could see me take a place for Officer Training at Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. My preferred division was the Education Corps, seemingly sensible for someone with my additional teaching qualifications.
I attended Beaconsfield for my pre-RCB and we were required to complete many tasks (all marked). The physical tests included:
- Beep Test
- Sit-ups
- Press-ups
- Obstacle Course
- 2.4km timed run
Personally, I hadn’t a chance in a hot oven of doing press ups... neither did many of the female recruits.
21 proper press ups for ladies in 2 minutes.
Unless of course you were a fitness supremo and were very tomboyish.
The timed run (ladies) was to complete 1.5 miles in 13 minutes.
With practise I could do it in 11 minutes 30 which almost qualified for the male time of 10 minutes 30.
Presentation (to officers & other cadets)
Field craft analysis
General knowledge paper, including aspects of military structure
1.5 Mile run
Outdoor Assault course
Indoor Gymnasium course
Interview
It was a very professional introduction to military life and i greatly enjoyed it. On the outdoor course each potential cadet had one part of the course to be in charge of. My task was to get my team and a large oil drum over a 12 foot high wall. Sound easy? Yes? The obvious solution was to stand on the drum and hoist the team over….. Wrong!
No one was allowed to stand on the drum. So I end up last man on the top of the wall. I’m holding on, facing the wall. The supervising officer starts his countdown. 10, 9, 8…..
I call out “How do I get off this ** wall?”
He calls out, “just let go!”
So I do exactly that. And crash down on my legs inches from the wall face. On straight legs – because I’m too close with no space to bend my legs.
The impact is excruciating and I am in shock. Nobody said ” kick back away from the wall and land on bent knees. Or spin round and jump away from the wall”
Oddly no Army personnel ask if I need to see a medic, although they saw the degree of impact.
I limp to the Presentation in absolute agony and sit through the presentations of others. By the time I have to stand up and give mine, my knees have given up the ghost and I’m standing at an obvious angle. Every movement causes me agony so I’m not really concentrating and I’m sure my words are slightly incoherent and barely making sense.
We have some social time in the Officer’s Mess, which is quite fun but of course I’m in pain so quite keen to retire for the evening.
Tomorrow is the 1.5 mile run and the interview. Woopee! Not so sure about running in this condition…
We sleep in a dorm and when the alarm goes off in the morning I am unable to stand on my own. I see my legs are now at about a 90 degree to normal.
I am excused by the officers and immediately despatched to the hospital at High Wykham by car. They are concerned I may have badly damaged both legs. Possible double patellar fractures.
For my part I’m just peeved as I have generally done quite well. However you can’t progress to RCB itself if you don’t complete all the sections of the pre-RCB.
I come back – eventually – on crutches. So I’m not doing the run but still having the interview.
I’m told I’ve done very well across the tasks – minus the press-ups and my complete inability to climb the mandatory rope in the gymnasium fitness tests. Upper body strength doesn’t quite tie with playing Prokofiev. Sadly !
So I am congratulated on being excellent officer material, but don’t make the RCB (requisite) for Sandhurst.
Drat – after all the training I’ve done. Going out in rain and in the dark, running several times a day.
Instead I fly off the following day -from pre-RCB – on a planned excursion to Switzerland. To stay with friends.
On a walking holiday…. in the Alps.
On crutches.
All I get to climb is a few flights of stairs, and that with great difficulty.
Let’s see how I fare in my cycle 3.
Jacqueline x
...When all is said and done 
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