Chepstow Barracks- 28th-30th March 2012
Wednesday 28th March
Today, was the first day of Chepstow Army Barracks for our Unit 20, AO4 Discipline work. We departed school at around 9:00am.
When we arrived at Chepstow, we lined up and were given sections (1 section, 2 section and 3 section). When we lined up, it showed the role of discipline as we were told what to do and followed it. This was important because without orders, it can result in accidents and even death. I was in 1 section. Over the 3 days, there was a competition between the 3 sections. The challenges were; paint balling, PFA (personal fitness assessment), football, BATAK (reaction test) and observation. After that was sorted, we were given sleeping bags and water bottles for the few days and went into our cabins. This was part of the importance of uniformity, as everyone had the same. This was important because it shows that everyone is treated the same.
When all this was sorted, in our sections, we did the 'ice breaker' for around 20-30 minutes. The ice breaker showed a regard for the interest of service because people joining the Army have to do this. It is important because it means the new recruits get to know each other, which can help them when out in battle without their other friends and can help the communication levels. When this was done, we had a lesson on food rations.
The first competition activity we did was paint balling, were, individually, we had to walk through a course and shoot the animals that we saw (expect the badger) each animal was one point and the badger minus one point. There was a maximum of 11 points and I only got a disappointing 4, although my team still won the challenge.
Other activities we did over the day were the cones test, face paint (Army style), poncho building, formation work as well as free time. This was in regard to the interest of service as we got a feel for what the soldiers do in battle. This was important, because everyone needs to know what they are getting themselves into before they start so the other soldiers know they are determined and know whats coming their way.
The second competition of the day was the reaction test in which you had to hit the lights when they lit up and get as many as you could in 30 seconds. The formation of the lights was an X shape with numbers from 0-7. I got a score of 39, which is what most people got and my team ended up winning it again. Dinner (like everyday) was a 5:30pm. This showed the importance of following the rules and importance of uniformity as everyone did what they were told, and had the same food at the same time.
The second competition of the day was the reaction test in which you had to hit the lights when they lit up and get as many as you could in 30 seconds. The formation of the lights was an X shape with numbers from 0-7. I got a score of 39, which is what most people got and my team ended up winning it again. Dinner (like everyday) was a 5:30pm. This showed the importance of following the rules and importance of uniformity as everyone did what they were told, and had the same food at the same time.
In the evening, we had another lesson, this time on rucksacks and whats in them. Bed time was at 10.
Thursday 29th March
Today, breakfast was at 7:30am. We had to get up at 7:00am. After breakfast, we had time to let our food settle before starting our day. This showed the roles of discipline as we were all ordered to get up at a certain time. This is important because when you are in battle, you will have to get up and sleep at certain points to give you a fatigue advantage over your enemies, as well as if you are being attacked while sleeping, you have to get up as quick as you can.
The challenges we had to do today were; the PFA, football and the 'dragons den' task.
In the PFA, we had to do 3 laps of a course mapped out for us. The target for a pass was 12mins30secs, and I did it in 12 minutes and 10 seconds. Altogether, my team won again. By this point, we were 3 points clear of 2 section on the leaderboard.
In the football, our teams were our sections. We played each other once, then the 2 bottom teams played each other to get into the final against the top team (1 section). 3 section ended up beating 2 section in the semi's, but my section won the final. After this, the sixth formers played the Army leaders, but unfortunately the Army won 1-0 although we had the ball most of the time. Then the year 10's played them and drew 0-0. There was one point where the importance of rules, regulations and procedures were disregarded, when someone put some tissue paper in a urinal. As a result of this, everyone was punished and kept getting punished until someone owned up. Punishing us showed us what would happen if someone in the Army broke the rules. This is important because if someone in battle messes around and breaks the rules, he could cause an injury or death to him/her and teammates around him/her.
The 'dragons den' task had us try and create a new weapon/armour/equipment for the Army to use and make their lives in battle easier. In the end, my team came up with an add on for sniper lookouts which mark out enemies and sends co-ordinate to the sniper. Our team was the only team not to argue when presenting and to have everyone speak. Working in a team, showed the importance of uniformity as we all had the same job to finish and all had the same little tasks to complete our final task. This is important because in the Army, you need teamwork to survive as someone in your team could save your life if you are stuck or injured, whereas if you are on your own, you're done for! We won this as well which meant we won every challenge and were the first team do do that whilst those Army instructor were there. A lessons we had to do was first aid training. Dinner was at the same time again. Just as bed time was.
Friday 30th March
Today, was the hardest day of the three, even though we were leaving at 1.
Activities today were, assault course and different ways to carry injured soldiers from the battle field. This showed the role of discipline as we were told and trained in how to deal with injured soldiers on the battlefield. These both took, in total about 11/2-2 hours. After this, the winners of the challenges (1 section) got given goody bags, which involved a t-shirt, water bottle, magazines and a DVD. We were given lunch, and then left the barracks to go home.
On each of the days, we all had to clean the showers, toilets, kitchen and cabins. This shows the role of discipline in the Army as it shows they keep everything clean and safe for everyone to use. We learnt about the rules, regulations and procedures of the Army whilst there, like lining up, cleaning etc. We also learnt the importance of following orders as we were always being told what and what not to do, like lining up, taking showers, having free time, when breakfast/lunch/dinner was.
Whilst at Chepstow, we kept refering to the document http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/v_s_of_the_british_army.pdf which shows the rules and regulations of the Army. We did this so we could get to know what life in the Army is like.
Some of the rules we especially had to follow were:
11. Discipline- To be effective on operations, the Army must act as a disciplined force: commanders’ orders carried out, everybody confident that they will not be let down by their comrades. Discipline is the primary antidote to fear and maintains operational effectiveness:
it is supported by team loyalty, trust and professionalism. Discipline instils self-control and breeds self-confidence. Good discipline means that all soldiers will obey orders, under the worst conditions of war, and to do so with imagination and resource. The best discipline is self-discipline: innate, not imposed. The Army expects self-discipline from every soldier, and training aims to strengthen it. Discipline requires clearly understood rules and a military legal system to enforce it. This discipline system must be fairly applied both on and off duty by all those in positions of authority.
17. Army Standards- The Values outlined above underpin the ethos of the Army and contribute directly to achieving operational effectiveness. In sustaining these Values, every soldier must strive to achieve and maintain the highest professional and personal standards. It is impractical to identify here every standard required in every aspect of a soldier’s professional and private life. The Army’s Standards are designed to ensure that all behaviour is lawful; appropriate; and totally professional. Commanders have to understand the context and set out the Standards in sufficient detail required by the situation; clear communication on what is expected and why is essential. Officers and soldiers must avoid behaviour that risks degrading their professional ability or which may undermine morale by damaging the trust and respect that exists between individuals who depend on each other. For this reason the Army takes a different and more demanding approach towards certain types of behaviour and relationships that might, in society, be regarded as amatter of individual choice or morality, and of no concern to the wider community.
Hierarchical Structure
Legislation Work
Armed Forces Act 2006
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/52/contents
The impact on discipline this has is that it means that soldiers have to respect each other and people around them, whether it's their trainers, Sergeants or the public.
Queens Regulations
The Queens Regulations are a collection of orders and regulations in force in the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, forming guidance for officers of these armed services in all matters of discipline and personal conduct. The impact this has on discipline within the Army is that it teaches respect for others and people in higher ranks and keeps them in order. It also stops them stepping out of line. 'principles governing that law
have been integrated into the disciplinary rules of the armed forces and the range of
responsibility of the commanding officer giving an order which breaches international
humanitarian law or which does not ensure respect for it'.
Included here is a witness statement for my days at Chepstow.
Here are some photos taken on the days at Chepstow:
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