Page 29 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 61

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Code, concentrating on the coaching aspect of the
code. After leaving the CAT to take up the role
of the RCWO for 2nd Battalion The Parachute Where are they Now?
Regiment, I heard that the Army were creating
a Centre for Army Leadership (CAL) based on
recommendations from a Leadership Review, and
a spot for a WO1 Leadership. Fortunately for me,
after only serving a few months with 2 PARA, 11th Intake (75-77) comrade
selection for promotion to WO1 came, and was search By Jim Thomson
assigned as the first WO1 Leadership for the
British Army at the CAL. On September 9th 2025 it will be 50 years since the ‘Mighty 11th’ first
With the CAL being a new concept, but British gathered at St Omer.
Army Leadership was not, the challenge for me
and the very small team consisting of a Maj and Over the past few years, we have held reunions at various places including
Academic Professor, was to ensure coherence of the Union Jack Club in London and the Army versus Navy rugby game and
leadership training across all ranks. Leadership has a historic trip down memory lane to what is left of the Aldershot we knew.
always been seen as an officer’s sport, you only have Also worth mentioning that a few have even made these events from afar
to remember RMAS’s motto ‘Serve to Lead’, to be
by arranging family trips to coincide from Germany, USA and NZ to name a
reminded of this so how do you ensure that every
few, and yes even Wales Els Rowlands.
soldier in the British Army thinks, develops and
acts with leadership in the forefront of their minds. For the 50th anniversary we are looking to organise another reunion (No
The CAL exposed me to parts of the Army I have venue or details decided yet) and would obviously like as many of the 11th
never seen before, opened up my eyes to leaders at as possible to attend.
every level who passionately thinks and develop
We currently have a Facebook group with 60
leadership in others. JNCO’s, SNCO’s, Junior
members but our pass out numbers were approximately 160
Officers, all delivering leader develop, leadership
packages, all with a thirst of knowledge. After an and so we are looking for more members. Even if a reunion
amazing 2 years with the CAL, that had grown in is not your thing, the FB page does put old mates in
size, influence, and reputation, the assignment that contact again and provide some good banter.
I am most proud of arrived. Me, an Army Chef,
was going to be the Regimental Sergeant Major for So if you are one of the 11th, or have news of one
that may help our search, please join the FB group or
ASLS, the place that I started my instructor career,
the place that taught my coaching, mentoring, contact me at jat1959@talktalk.net
leadership, empathy, teamwork, and instructional
skills. Never as a young apprentice chef would I
ever thought I would be an RSM, and by the way, at the age of 13, I know no different. I still felt I
how the hell do you hold or use a pace stick, when had more to give the Army and I wanted to con-
I was used to spoons and knives! tinuing developing others through their career so
Being a RSM has been a pinnacle moment in LE Commissioning here I come, however, I was
my career. I had the most amazing team around me, not sure if I was ready to become a Captain. So
from the Commanding Officer, who is still a friend what next?
and mentor, to the SSgt/CSgt instructors, from the In 2015, the British Army realised that at every
civilian staff to the cleaners, all made the place a level from Sect Comd to Brigade Sergeant Major,
fun, enjoyable, and great place to work. However, all soldiers were paired with officers to help support,
good things must come to an end, and I was near- guide, mentor, and advise each other. We have all
ing the end of my career. Big decision needed to be seen these relationships: Plt Sgt with Plt Comd,
made about what next for me: LE Commissioning SSM with OC, RSM with CO, Bde SSM with
or Civi Street. Anyone that has been in that posi- Bde Comd, but it mostly stopped at this level. The
tion knows it can be a tough one to make, and you Army created a new pathway for Senior Soldiers,
can talk to as many people that have gone through the Command Sergeant Major (Comd SM). Like
both process but only you can make the choice. The the Corps RSM/SM, this pathway was for deferred
Army has been my life since I was a Army Cadet LE commissioned (we continue to wear WO1),
and was implemented into all 2*, 3* and 4* head-
Editors comments. Sarah is one of the Army’s most senior and expe- quarters. So, we have an Army Sergeant Major
rienced soldiers which is reflected in her appointment as Command who sits next to CGS, we have Comd SM who sits
Sergeant Major and her being the highest senior female soldier in the next to the 2* and 3* in the Army. The role is the
Army. Sarah worked for me as a Sgt Instructor at the Food Service same as any relationship I have mentioned before,
Wing in Worthy Down, even then she portrayed many of the traits it is about informing, supporting, challenging the
that enabled her to hold so many prestigious appointments. Generals, but mostly, it is about being the voice of
the soldiers at every level.
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