Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst

Fifteen members went to the Commandant’s Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, a world-renowned centre of excellence training soldiers and officers to win in war and in peace.  Those who visited the RMAS buildings and grounds last June may remember it was established in 1741and moved to Sandhurst in 1812.  Since 1947 over 5,500 young people from 132 different countries have trained alongside British Officer Cadets.  The course lasts one year and there are three intakes annually - in September, January and May.  

On parade were the Junior Division, the Intermediate Division and the Senior Division, the latter graduating at the passing out ceremony having trained for three terms.  In effect, the Commandant’s Parade is the dress rehearsal for the passing out ceremony in front of the King two days later. We had an excellent view from our front row seats as hundreds of budding officers, headed by an Adjutant riding a magnificent charger, marched on to the large parade ground with the colonnaded Old College building as backdrop.  Another mounted officer rode at the rear of the troops.  Music was provided by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas in both slow time and quick time for marching at different paces during the ceremony.  The Sovereign’s Banner (presented to the Academy last year by H.M Charles III) and the Colours were marched on Parade.The Reviewing Officer was Major General Z. R. Stenning OBE, Commandant of the RMAS, who, with his entourage of senior officers, then arrived at the saluting dais and was received by the Parade with a General Salute.  He inspected the Parade with the soldiers trooping the Sovereign’s Banner and performing precision marching manoeuvres, including wheeling, across the parade ground, of course giving a salute as they passed the dais.

The Commandant then gave a speech and presented top Awards to Senior Under Officer J. S. N. Perkins - The Sword of Honour for the Officer Cadet considered by the Commandant to be the best of the intake and The King’s Medal for the Officer Cadet with the best overall results in military, academic and practical studies.  On the same basis, he awarded The International Sword and The International Award to Officer Cadet M. Z. Al Rowaiei from the Kingdom of Bahrein.