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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2002 - Page 0054

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 2002
Transcription 52 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S)
Joint Services Command and Staff Course
he Joint Services Command and Staff Course has only
recently settled itself solely in the grounds of the Royal
Military College of Science, Shrivenham. The new build, sup-
posedly a showcase Public/Private Partnership venture, is pret-
ty impressive with its southerly views across the Vale to the
White Horse.
My Advanced Command and Staff Course, which I started in
September 2002 (having successfiJlly finished a Masters degree
in Defence Administration, taken a step up the ladder of the
Chartered Institute of Personal Development qualification and
completed a post graduate diploma in Strategic Marketing to
boot), takes me up to July 2003. It’s a busy course with two
thirds of it spent studying the joint (i.e. combining air, mar-
itime and land) environment and one-third in a single Service
phase. The opportunity to meet a wide variety of people not
only from the other two Services but from abroad too is one of
the highlights, as are the trips abroad: the States and Western
and Eastern Europe. On the academic front and concurrently
with the military course, you’re encouraged to attempt a Masters
degree in Defence Studies (from King’s College London). Fool
that I am I shall have a go, as it’s a rare opportunity to delve into
topics outside the military sphere. I have also been able to pur-
sue my studies of the Italian Campaign in arranging for veterans
of the Salerno Landings in September 1943 to attend a dinner at
the Staff College. Such opportunities to meet those “who were
there” continue to be a source of inspiration to us serving mem-
bers of the Armed Forces.
But work doesn’t take up all my time here (although in the cur-
rent Army phase of the course, I’ve almost forgotten where I live
7 and that’s not because I’m having a couple of pints in the col-
lege bar before going home at night 7 honest!). I’ve taken up
hockey and play for the “Defence Academy”, the college’s new
and rather grand title. This keeps me fit, when I’ve recovered
from the aches and pains after each match. I am still a keen
member of the “Shrivenham Branch of the Ramblers
Association”, otherwise known as the RMCS Shoot; except for
”Chocks away” Ma/ Fooks /earns how to fly a Tornado,
a/ and rs Fooks wrth
the occasional road kill, the bag remains pretty light. But seri-
ously, time here is flying for both Juliet and me, what with the
course work, a new baby (Algernon, born on 15 January) and
new dog (Tarka).
Finally, once again the Regiment is well represented down here
what with Maj Brodey and Capt Lyle on course at RMCS and
the “Usual Suspects” on the Junior Division of the Staff Course.
All, as they say, continues to be well.
W]OF
Father Chrrstmas’s /rrt/e he/pers , The Foks
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