I thought, after years of reading all manner of interesting and sometimes technical and complex threads on how/whether to get to the RMA and commission, that it might be helpful and perhaps interesting for those young men and women wanting to become Army officers, if the view from 'the other side' was aired.
In all too many threads about commissioning, there's a focus on process, on post-Service dis- and advantages to having been an officer, on cap badge selection, on educational qualifications - and, of course, the perennial topic of AOSB and how to blag it.
In the minority of cases do I sense any particular aspiration towards, or even interest in, the core activity of Army officers, which is commanding soldiers. I know we're expected to take this as read, but, all too often, that's dismissed as something which needs to be done, almost as an adjunct to wearing the Garter stars and cutting about in an embroidered cap badge.
Here's my take, as a long-retired, long-service SNCO. I wanted my officers to enjoy the company of soldiers I wanted my officers to listen to good advice but make good decisions based on that advice and their own judgement. I wanted to be able to trust my officers implicitly not to fuck me or my guys for personal or career advantage.
The British soldier is a complex and demanding beast to command and lead. I said elsewhere, some years ago, that "They're simultaneously horrible and magnificent people: vile, lazy, dishonest and devious - and hard-working, hilarious and utterly dependable when needed." I stand by that statement. I felt privileged when I achieved sufficient rank to start commanding and leading them and I wanted - and want - my officers to feel similarly privileged.
Now. we all know that the holy Army Officers' Career Path, for which the Army provides a bearer ecology, sees probably the bulk of an officers' time spent away from direct command of soldiers (as we have all manner of interesting staff jobs which require a highly-trained and steely-eyed dealer of death and born leader to do), but all those jobs are in direct support of Private Fucknuts, who's at the sharp end and whose life, at some point, is in your hands.
There might come a time, as an Army officer, when you call upon Private Fucknuts to do some dangerous shit and perhaps be killed in the doing and that's the ultimate charge that's laid on the officer. I want to be able, ultimately, to trust you not to waste the loyalty and confidence of Private Fucknuts.
In all too many threads about commissioning, there's a focus on process, on post-Service dis- and advantages to having been an officer, on cap badge selection, on educational qualifications - and, of course, the perennial topic of AOSB and how to blag it.
In the minority of cases do I sense any particular aspiration towards, or even interest in, the core activity of Army officers, which is commanding soldiers. I know we're expected to take this as read, but, all too often, that's dismissed as something which needs to be done, almost as an adjunct to wearing the Garter stars and cutting about in an embroidered cap badge.
Here's my take, as a long-retired, long-service SNCO. I wanted my officers to enjoy the company of soldiers I wanted my officers to listen to good advice but make good decisions based on that advice and their own judgement. I wanted to be able to trust my officers implicitly not to fuck me or my guys for personal or career advantage.
The British soldier is a complex and demanding beast to command and lead. I said elsewhere, some years ago, that "They're simultaneously horrible and magnificent people: vile, lazy, dishonest and devious - and hard-working, hilarious and utterly dependable when needed." I stand by that statement. I felt privileged when I achieved sufficient rank to start commanding and leading them and I wanted - and want - my officers to feel similarly privileged.
Now. we all know that the holy Army Officers' Career Path, for which the Army provides a bearer ecology, sees probably the bulk of an officers' time spent away from direct command of soldiers (as we have all manner of interesting staff jobs which require a highly-trained and steely-eyed dealer of death and born leader to do), but all those jobs are in direct support of Private Fucknuts, who's at the sharp end and whose life, at some point, is in your hands.
There might come a time, as an Army officer, when you call upon Private Fucknuts to do some dangerous shit and perhaps be killed in the doing and that's the ultimate charge that's laid on the officer. I want to be able, ultimately, to trust you not to waste the loyalty and confidence of Private Fucknuts.
