From infantry attacks to leadership theory, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) soldiers have been put through their paces as they take the first step up the Army’s promotion ladder.
13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (13 AASR) ran a fortnight-long leadership course for 30 RLC soldiers from across 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team to give them the required skills as they promote from Private to Lance Corporal, and on from there.
The training started with a week in the classroom learning about the leadership role of a Lance Corporal, who is second-in-command of a section of eight soldiers. The troops then moved out into Friday Woods Training Area in Colchester to apply what they have learnt.
For me, the importance of listening has been the most significant thing I’ve learnt.
13 AASR’s Acting Lance Corporal Fern Morrin, a 21-year-old driver from Hadleigh, said: “I’ve worked hard to get my promotion and this course has been really useful to learn about the new responsibilities I’m going to have. The lessons on leadership theory were interesting, learning how to motivate people to do difficult tasks."
“For me, the importance of listening has been the most significant thing I’ve learnt. As a leader, I will listen more to those below me, next to me and above me to understand what we’re supposed to be doing and to look after people so that we can do it.”
You’ve got to establish boundaries and show the mental and physical robustness and self-confidence to lead from the front.
During the course’s practical phase the soldiers, who range from chefs to logistic supply specialists in their roles, took turns at commanding each other while living in the field and practising drills such as section attacks and casualty evacuations.
Acting Lance Corporal Anthony Gammans is a driver attached to 16 Medical Regiment. The 27-year-old from Preston said: “A lot of this course has been about refreshing the soldiering skills we all learnt in basic training, but having to lead others rather than just taking part. You’ve got to establish boundaries and show the mental and physical robustness and self-confidence to lead from the front.”
The course is part of the Army Leadership Development Programme, a progressive system of training to give soldiers the leadership and management skills and wider military knowledge they need as they rise up the ranks.
A soldier’s first promotion is a big moment, taking them from being one of the team to one of the bosses.
13 AASR’s Second Lieutenant Luke Bauckham, who ran the course, said: “A soldier’s first promotion is a big moment, taking them from being one of the team to one of the bosses. That can be quite a challenge, but these soldiers have really shown their maturity and professionalism as they step up to become leaders.”
The British Army is recruiting right now to fill 10,000 jobs across the UK with more than 200 roles to choose from, covering everything from frontline combat and cyber security to helicopter pilots, chefs and support roles. If you’re aged 16 to 50, and if you want to find out more about a career in the Army, then read more here.
