Ex TIGER EISEN SCHLANGE 23

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experience by LCpl Maryam Uddin - 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade

Deploying on the 21 Jan 23 and travelling from Gatwick Airport, a team made up of staff from HQ 101 OS Bde finally reached its destination… Innsbruck. We were deploying on Ex TIGER EISEN SCHLANGE 23 which was the Bde HQ’s overseas Distributed Training (DT) Alpine skiing expedition to Neustift, Austria.

It seemed surreal as I have never skied before, and I was excited and anxious all at the same time. But Maj Gareth Martin and other members of the team assured me I was going to have the time of my life and it would be enjoyable whilst I learn a new skill. I wanted another qualification under my belt, because why not? But I did not envisage I’d reach the standards required to qualify for it.

As soon as we landed, we got stuck in, and so not to waste any skiing time we started all the relevant admin needed for us to be on the slopes first thing the next morning. As the AT was only a week-long, we wanted to get as much time on the slopes learning new skills and techniques as possible.

We settled in quickly into our selfcatered apartments and headed straight for the hire shop that evening to collect the equipment we needed for our courses. Up early the next morning, we were briefed on standard procedure: what not to do, what to do and how to do it safely and some key points, references and information on the location. To top it off we were assigned exceptional instructors - Maj Stu Robinson (SF 2 Gp 2), Maj Chris Button (SF 1 Gp 1) and Capt Chris Jopling (SF 1 Gp 2).

We were broken into groups of ability commensurate to skiing qualifications and experience. I was in the group to gain my SF1 qualification. The foundation level. The very first moment I got onto the slopes and put my skis on I was just filled with fear. However, I quickly realised that I was afraid, because it was something I hadn’t done before. The first day on the slopes was lovely and with perfect weather, it was a perfect first day to ski. But I hated it because I was not picking up the basic techniques as quick as the rest of my team, which was a let-down and I was overthinking every movement, which was ruining the day for me. As the instructor taught us how to snow plough (the famous pizza and fries) method, with the basics of turning left and right, it did not feel basic to me. However, our instructor’s teaching skills were immense and his patience admirable, which made me, and my team feel at ease.

The green routes are for novices or people who need to build up their confidence on the slopes. To begin with, through my eyes, they looked by far the toughest and scariest. But towards the end of the expedition the green slopes looked like an absolute breeze. On the first day of skiing I lost count of how many times I fell, but if you’re not falling, you’re not trying, right? Well that’s what everyone said. After mastering the green routes, blue routes were mentioned and we all just stared with a look of distress on our faces, because we were all frightened of falling over again, or not being able to do it. This was quite absurd as everyone pushed their limits and just got on with it.

The blue routes had looked like a challenge, but before we knew it, we were flying down them without falling or sliding. We were really skiing and in a manner the instructor was pleased with, notwithstanding a few minor flaws! We practiced continuously to sharpen up our technique and began to ski without looking, or feeling, so nervous. Most importantly, the team was enjoying themselves thoroughly. By the end of it all the ability groups came together and skied the same slopes. This allowed us as individuals to show the rest of the team that we had mastered the basics, how far we had come from the first day and how much we had learned.

At the end of each day all the groups came together to talk about the day they had and what routes they had skied. The SF2 groups went on to complete and introduction to ski touring and most of their time was off-piste, which seemed crazy to me, but they had a whirlwind of a time and loved the experience.

As the days went on, you could see our teamwork develop and strengthen, which was one of the expedition’s aims, and what our day-to-day roles as soldiers teaches us to embrace. We cooked as houses which allowed me to get to know my house members more and discuss topics which were fascinating. We laughed and we complained, as women do, about the men! I’m sure it was the same for the rest of the houses minus complaining about men. Some houses had very questionable meals, while others looked quite decent.

The remarkable thing about these opportunities away from the office is they allow us as a collective to understand our strengths, but most importantly our weaknesses and work on points areas we can improve.

To conclude this experience and adventure, I would certainly recommend everyone to give skiing a go, or any AT for that matter. You never know how much you might like something or get good at it, if you don’t jump in with both feet and try it. AT enhances character building and team cohesion, which is fundamental and supportive in any tasks given in the workspace or in the field. To complete the trip, we had a team meal at Aumi’s Pub (Café Anny) enjoying good food and having a laugh at everyone’s expense about the ridiculous falls we had on the slopes and the mishaps that happened during our time. Maj Martin who ran with the AT alongside Capt Limbu, gave out special thank yous to the staff who made this AT possible and presented achievement awards. I am extremely competitive with myself, so I always try to apply the best of my ability to everything I do. Despite my initial fear and anxiety this was evident during my first experience of Alpine skiing as I was proud to be awarded ‘The Most Improved Skier’.

The exercise was designed to challenge our physical and mental ability, whilst developing leadership, physical robustness, and team cohesion. The expedition exposed us to Alpine skiing in an arduous environment whilst doing so in a controlled and safe way. The intent of the exercise was to train qualify and develop as many skiers from the Bde HQ as possible. The exercise successfully qualified eight SF1s, 13 SF2s, delivered continuation training for three SF2 skiers and provided an excellent opportunity for four military instructors (and Bde HQ Staff) to successfully plan and deliver a T3, DT expedition to remain current and competent.

By WO1 J McConnell MBE

The trade and the Logistic Information Systems we support are transitioning to a more public sector facing capability not to dissimilar to a new public management model under the auspices of the Business Modernisation for Support (BMfS). These terms are compiled under a Bridging the Gap (BtG) agreement that is likely to take effect in early 2024 with industry workshops a necessity to ensuring Logistic (IS) meets user expectations. The journey through the sustainment and transition are ongoing particularly with respects to the workforce and the imminent increase under the Integrated Review (IR), however, I’ll leave the members of the team to update you on these matters.

WO2 (SSM) C Lloyd, Training and Recruitment WO

In September 2022 the trade welcomed Sgts Chitedze, Edwards, Gurung, Mohammed, Prophet and Singh. The largest intake of personnel for a generation. They entered the probation period of three months working through the Land Warfare Centre endorsed