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Leadership Training

HMS Raleigh Leadership Course Easter 2009

I arrived at Plymouth station on the Sunday afternoon with my companion and we went on a bus, along with other recruits arriving at the camp who were arriving for their seven weeks of hard training. When we arrived at the camp, only three of the people on the bus were on the leader course, including Charles and me. We then got ourselves comfortable with our accommodation which included a bed and a single locker for each person to put their clothes in. A few more people had arrived at HMS Raleigh, and then we marched to the dinning room to be rewarded with a very good dinner. After dinner we then went back to have our safety brief and to learn what we were going to do for the weeks' training. After a couple more people had arrived (making the numbers up to 16 people), we had to do “cleaning duties” which included two people cleaning up a certain part of the building and then it being inspected by the officer in charge. After our first day at HMS Raleigh, the boys went to their dormitories and the girls went to theirs to get some sleep before we had our first proper day.

As soon as we woke up we met our three instructors who would be there to instruct us and help us during the week. Straight after that, we marched over to breakfast and then we experienced our first proper inspection from a commander at HMS Raleigh. Considering that he didn’t know how to inspect army uniform, he thought my appearance looked very good. Afterwards our leadership group was divided up into two sections which included a Chiefs section and Sirs section. Over the next four days, we did a lot of activities to keep ourselves preoccupied and there was hardly anytime to have a break during each activity. Some of the activities included parade training in a large parade training ground and each of us had to control the squad. It was a change to army drill, but I soon got the hang of it. We then had to do more leadership tasks by solving puzzles and then picking out a leader to tell us what to do. Also, each of us had to prepare a presentation to perform in front of the group and each of our talks was varied and interesting. Some of the more challenging aspects of the week was the assault course and the obstacle course, which was physically tough for everyone, but it really pulled the team together which was worth it. My personal best aspect of the week was taking part in the D.R.I.U. (Damage Repair Instructions Unit) which included a life size scale of a ship and we had to repair holes in the wall at the bottom of the deck. I remember the lights going down and being instructed to repair the huge holes in the wall and the floor. At the end of the week, we, as a group, suffered together and we learned one important thing and that was, “fit to fight, fit for life”.

During the six days, we experienced a lot of pain, suffering, enjoyment, laughter but in the end we all enjoyed it and it was worth it. I recommend this course whether they are in the Army, Navy or Royal Air Force, because it was a great experience to learn how to take control of a squad and be in charge.

Peter Taylor
North Town

*****

It was late afternoon on Sunday when I arrived at Temple Meads station to travel to H.M.S. Raleigh in Plymouth. Typically the travelling is never straight forward with trains in England, so from Tiverton Parkway were taken by bus to the ferry to cross Plymouth harbour in order to reach Raleigh. Once we were on the naval base and found our division’s block we were told to drop our kit and head straight over to the junior rates mess hall for supper. When we returned we withdrew our bedding and settled into our mess decks (sleeping quarters).

Next morning the hands were called (we were woken up) by the coxswain at 6.00 am, to march over to breakfast. After this we had a full inspection from Lt. Cdr. Evans our senior officer. We then started our full and busy program of activities. The point of the course was to promote confidence in all members of the team so we could advance our knowledge and skills of leadership that we would apply back home in our own contingents.

One of the most effective ways to install confidence in the way you speak, and present your self was the snap talks. This is where you are given a subject to talk about for one minute. Another similar activity was our prepared presentations where we had to speak for 5 minutes on a subject of our choice with any extra aids to assist the presentation. Confidence is a huge part of leadership to gain respect and to use the power of command when teaching cadets.

The best activities in my opinion were; the assault course which we completed three times, running through muddy rivers and crawling through tunnels. The drill competition between the two syndicate’s, the obstacle course and the orienteering at Edgcumbe Park. However there was one activity that stood out; the DRIU – Damage Repair Instruction Unit. The DRIU is based on various compartments on board a ship. The purpose of it is to train the ship’s company how to repair a sinking ship with a number of different methods. The freezing water rushed in from the shredded steal, and the entire compartment starts to roll forcing the wave of water to and fro. Also there is one single tiny light that is illuminating the large compartment.

Our two staff members were brilliant, CPO Aldridge and Lt. Cdr. Huxtable. The group of 18 people that I was with were fantastic; we had really bonded by the end of the week and it was a real anticlimax when we left. So overall I would thoroughly recommend this course it was incredible, and remember: Shop early to avoid disappointment.

L/Cpl Charlie Markham

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