6 minute read
You’re on Mute”: The Ups and Downs of Running a Training Camp on Zoom
The Ups and Downs of Running a Training Camp via Zoom
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Scribes: 102 Bn REME Trg Team
The aim for Exercise IRON SPROCKET was to conduct technical and tactical training as well as wider professional development by virtual means, integrating ‘Soldier first, Tradesman always’ skills, IOT set conditions for CT Level Charlie in TY 21/22 and Ex IRON VIPER 21. With lockdown re-imposed, post-Christmas 102 Bn REME switched from a physical camp in Catterick, which originally without COVID would have been four weeks in BATUS Canada, to two two-week exercises that were fully virtual.
The training was delivered over Zoom, also utilising a Defence Connect project group for administration and coordination. It included virtual technical and tactical training, ES planning, unit, career and trade updates, Empowerment Projects and bespoke trade development training. The exercise included two VIP visits, from HQ 101 Log Bde and RHQ REME (Corps Colonel (Res))
Ex IRON SPROCKET 1, Wk 1
Scribe: LCpl Lenton. 146 Div Sp Coy, 102 Bn REME
After logging into Zoom for parade, the usual scenario of mouths moving but no sound being heard had the common phrase of the week being ‘You’re on mute’. The virtual tours of people’s houses as they chase the Wi-Fi from room to room looking for the strongest signal was an amusing sight. The term “charge cups” was often a frequent saying as we’d get a small break away from the screens. Being able to get outside in the fresh air for indirectly supervised PT was a welcome break and for me one I looked forward to each day.
The first week began with ‘ice-breaker’ sessions; then we were split into small groups of two to three for the group tasks set for us. This helped for our discussions and tasks as fewer people could talk at once or be interrupted, due to the all-powerful ‘Mute Button’. One of the main tasks of the week was the re-design of the 102 Bn Defence Connect page as part of the Empowerment initiative. Over the period of the first week it slowly developed until it came to fruition and we presented to the Battalion. I personally found this was a big sense of achievement and very much enjoyed doing the activity. It made me feel we had made a difference and had been able to add value to the Battalion profile. The Commanding Officer’s picture challenge added a bit of competition into the first week. We were challenged, whilst out for PT, to take pictures of specific subjects. This included pubs, bus stops, lorries, bridges, post boxes to name but a few.
Ex BRASS SPROCKET 5
Scribe: 2Lt Wells, 146 Div Sp Coy, 102 Bn REME
Ex BRASS SPROCKET 5 encompassed the end of Ex IRON SPROCKET 1 and the start of Ex IRON SPROCKET 2 so, along with those joining just for the weekend, it made for a very well attended event, with up to 163 participants on the call at once. At times these were concurrently split across up to 16 syndicate ‘breakout groups’, which is a feat that would have been daunting 12 months ago; having had nearly a year of remote training, it ran smoothly.
The Saturday was split with Officers and SNCOs carrying out SADCHAP planning and back briefs while the junior ranks had lessons on driver skills and briefs on operational experiences. Alongside this we also ran a Development Day for Potential Officers and Artificers. This opened with briefs from the CO and RHQ REME. We then gave a lesson on completing a Planning Exercise (Tiffy Dilemma) before they had a go for themselves. The Battalion joined together for PT and after lunch there were discussion groups on current affairs followed by a Q&A. It was a great chance to prepare them for what to expect at AOSB and the Tiffy course, with the opportunity to ask questions to SMEs afterwards.
The Sunday was focused on MATT 6 - Behaviours. Our unit has identified Challenging Behaviours as the Behaviours Pt 2 topic of choice for this training year. We delivered that lesson before spending the rest of the day’s lesson periods in ‘breakout rooms’, with the Defence Gateway application Dilemma. This is a brilliant application that I would thoroughly recommend as a fun way to teach MATT 6 and prompt discussions. It involves a team of up to eight players and they are asked a Values and Standards themed question in turn - the dilemma - and they must choose from four answers which they believe to be the correct response. After each question the DS, acting as question master, encourages discussion
LCpl Lenton’s contributions to the CO’s PT picture challenge
on the topic and the answers. With applications, learning and attendance such as we had throughout the weekend’s remote learning, far from being a hindrance, had actually presented us with opportunity.
Ex IRON SPROCKET 2, Wk 2
Scribe: LCpl Irons, 153 Rec Coy, 102 Bn REME
Ex IRON SPROCKET 2 was my Annual Continuous Training (ACT) for 2020-2021 training year. This last year has posed many difficulties for everyone and providing training for us has been one of the difficulties. Throughout the year I have attended some of the virtual training; although the training was good, it has not been my favourite. I’m a very hands-on person so I was not really looking forward to attending a two-week training camp on Zoom. I was pleasantly surprised with the training that was delivered. The first week was full of useful lessons including career management and progression. The second week was very much trade focused with some very in-depth lessons based on all levels of experience attending the lessons. As I am a Vehicle Mechanic Class 2, I feel that I have a good knowledge in the subject but a lot of what I have learnt has been hands on and physically doing the job. However, the Class 1 Vehicle Mechanics put together 16 lessons, breaking down some of the main components and systems on a vehicle, which gave us a full understanding of how they work. This was a great insight for some of the newer joining Vehicle Mechanics and a great refresher for others; we all learnt something from this week. In the first week we had a visit from HQ 101 Log Bde; then the next week we were fortunate enough to be joined by RHQ as Col Kevin Hearty QVRM VR handed over to Col David Harris as Colonel REME Reserves. This was good as they took their time to go around all the groups and gave us the opportunity to share our thoughts on how we thought the training was going. We were also given some great PT sessions to do as a Battalion on Zoom.
There was a good mix of lessons, PT and breaks to take your eyes off the screen and to have a leg stretch. I think the way that 102 Bn have organised this training and its delivery was very professional and definitely changed my thoughts on virtual training.
Way forward
Scribes: 102 Bn REME Trg Team
102 Bn REME will continue to exploit the use of online training and further bridge the gap between virtual and physical elements. After successfully finishing our first, entirely virtual, Annual Continuous Training events, we intend to continue to improve our skills by blending the best aspects of virtual activity with face to face training again.
Some of the feedback from the exercises
Do you want to attend an arduous course and work within the Very High Readiness Brigades of Airborne or Commando Forces?
Find out where they are based, what trades are available and how you can best prepare for the demanding courses by going to
https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/teams/9382
