5 RRF organised the exercise on behalf of HQ 15 (NE) Bde and RFCA (Yorkshire and Humberside), assisted by units from within the 15 Bde area.  The exercise took place over a 40 hour period 7 - 9 Jun 07 on Catterick Training Area.

The SaBRE/RFCA aim was to introduce civilian employers and their junior executives to the positive aspects of Reserve Forces’ training in order that they support membership of the Volunteer Reserve. The Commanding Officer 5 RRF’s aim was to develop leadership skills and styles that can be applied effectively within the civilian workplace. The exercise had the following specific objectives:

•         To demonstrate action centered leadership as an effective management tool in order to assist Young Executives (YE) in achieving their objectives whilst creating team cohesion within their work place

•          To apply mission analysis as a problem solving tool to develop coherent planning and to achieve agreed objectives at work

The exercise was designed to encourage the delegates to practice leadership, communication and team-building skills. There were 103 young executives working in 12 syndicates each of 8 – 9 people. On arrival the delegates were issued clothing and military equipment and then took part in a navigation exercise, which took them out onto the training area. At the exercise control they spent their first night together in a large tent, which was an opportunity to break the ice! On Friday, they participated in a mix of military style activities and educational planning stands that included: command tasks, instruction on military mission analysis, problem solving, planning tasks and management skills. Each syndicate was accompanied throughout by an Officer or SNCO from the TA who guided and advised their respective teams. On the Friday night everyone attended a BBQ and was entertained by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Employers were invited to the exercise on the Friday afternoon and were given the chance to talk to their personnel and to see them in action. On Saturday morning after a short night sleeping in “bashers” in a nearby wood, the delegates set off to complete a challenging 1.5 mile stretcher race.

The end state was to provide the participants with leadership and management skills that will aid their decision making processes when carried forward into their civilian employment and to provide an insight and understanding of the Army. It is hoped that all who took part will have seen it as a “value for money” training activity that will benefit their further development in terms of leadership and management skills.