LTC / Combat Arms
JSCSC Exchange Officer
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Description of duty position and work environment
Duty Description
Represents the United States Army at the Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC). Serves primarily as a member of the Directing Staff for the Advance Command and Staff Course (CGSC equivalent), and as the subject matter expert on US Army and US Joint Operations Doctrine to the Commandant, staff, and students at the college. Academic counsellor/evaluator of Syndicates comprised of joint United Kingdom officers and international officers from several overseas countries. Responsibilities include selection, preparation, and presentation of course material. Leads Syndicate analysis and debate, and produces written assessments on student performance for each Phase of the academic year. Responsible for the administration and professional development of three US Army officers that attend the college each year. Major additional duties involve serving as a principle member of one of the Commandant’s ‘Intellectual Capital' Workstreams, an initiative to explore and harness the college’s intellectual capacity with respect to better integration of the Defense Academy; JSCSC liaison with the staff colleges of other nations that include the United States; and ways to improve International Defense Relations. Other duties include the supervision of the organization and execution of the annual college International Families Day and North American BBQ, and serve as Executive Officer for the Division Director during the Single Component (Land) Phase of the course.
JSCSC Background
The Joint Service Command and Staff College (JSCSC) was created on 1 January 1997, and resulted from the decision to conduct Command and Staff Training for all three Services at one location. The Chiefs of Staff wanted to maximize the opportunities for a common understanding of the approach to warfare and defence as a whole, consistent with the increasing importance of the joint, combined, multinational and inter-agency nature of future operations. The formation of the JSCSC resulted in the closure of the four former Staff Colleges in the United Kingdom - the Joint Services Defence College and the Royal Naval Staff College at Greenwich, the Army Command and Staff College at Camberley, and the Royal Air Force Staff College at Bracknell. The Aim of the JSCSC is:
" To prepare selected officers for high-grade Joint and single Service appointments up to and including Captain Royal Navy, Colonel and Group Captain by developing their command, analytical and communications skills and by providing a broad understanding and knowledge of joint, single-Service and combined operations, of the management of defence in the United Kingdom and of the wider aspects of defence as a whole. "
The current student enrollment for the Advanced Command and Staff College is 330. From this student population, 91 are from Commonwealth and International countries. The remaining 240 students are from the UK Armed Forces: 65 from the RAF, 55 from the Royal Navy, 112 from the British Army, and 8 civilians from MoD and other UK Government Departments (British Civil Service). All Commonwealth and International students are required to attend a three-week Pre-Course Training Course (PCT) that is scheduled during the month of August, while the Main Course starts in September and runs through the end of July. Six U.S. students (three Army, two USAF, and one USN/USMC) attend the course each year. Starting in September 2007, the UK students will be mostly LTCs or the service equivalent.
The curriculum at JSCSC is undergoing some significant changes between now (October 2005) and the 2006-2007 academic year. For starters, the service component instruction (formerly called Single Component Phase) is being reduced in length to four weeks, called the Pre-Course, and placed at the beginning of the academic year (i.e. early September-early October). The students in the Pre-courses will be divided by service components. Once the pre-courses are completed, the students will come together in a joint environment in which they will explore issues such as conflict and the international system, some familiarisation between the services ("The Army for the non-Army students," "The Navy for non-Navy students," etc.), Resourcing and Managing Defence, Campaigning, Leadership, Logistic Enabling. The academic year will conclude with a culminating exercise.
Location
The JSCSC is located at a relatively new (5-year-old) purpose-built facility on the Defence Academy grounds at Watchfield. The site is situated beside the village of Shrivenham, some 8 miles North East of Swindon off the main A420 Swindon - Oxford trunk road. JSCSC is but one of a number of military units that form the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Other tenant units include the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS), the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), the Defence Leadership Center (DLC), the Joint Doctrine and Concepts Centre (JDCC), the Conflict Studies Research Center (CSRC), the Defence School of Financial Management (DSFM), and the Acquisition Training Cell (ATC). For more detailed information, an informative JSCSC website can be found at: http://www.da.mod.uk/jscsc
Uniform. The US Army standard duty uniform is Class B, with the option to wear either short- or long-sleeve (with tie) shirts throughout the year. Most officers, both British and Internationals, wear the wool sweater throughout the winter months. There are a few occasions where the Class A uniform is required, and BDUs are needed for for TEWTs and CPXs. Exchange Officers wear either the Fort Leavenworth (CAC) patch, or no unit patch at all. Dress Mess is required for events throughout the academic year, and there are also several occasions that require a Tuxedo.
Description of Housing
Accompanied officers occupy on-base housing, while single officers (or Geographical bachelors) have the option to either live in the Mess, or rent on the local economy.
 All British military married quarters are now administered and maintained by the Defence Housing Executive (DHE), which is a civilian agency contracted by the military to manage all military housing areas. The quarters are four-year-old, 2- story, 4-bedroom brick houses (single family units for staff and duplex houses for students). Rent for these quarters is paid directly to DHE and is approximately £435 per month (unfurnished) for Exchange Officers who are counted as “entitled staff.” Students are in a “visiting overseas” status and pay a higher rate of around £750 per month. Gas and electric bills are paid separately to the companies (there are several from which to choose) and both utilities, combined, will cost about £100-£125 per month; however, both bills are normally paid quarterly. You can arrange to pay these bills monthly by direct debit via your Sterling Bank Account. Exchange Officers receive their full BAH entitlement; however, students get Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), which covers the cost of the rent. COLA is calculated on the basis of the City of Swindon, and the rate fluctuates with rise and fall of the US Dollar against the British Pound Sterling. Ensure that your COLA is calculated on the basis of Swindon, not Central London.
 In my opinion, the quarters are not very large (despite the number of bedrooms) but adequate. Additionally, you will find that there is limited available closet space. Student quarters have a medium-sized hallway closet at the entrance, while the staff quarters have a small study instead. The quarters do contain a separate living room and dining room. All quarters also have a laundry room downstairs. All quarters, furnished or not, come with a stove (NOTE: the stove is quite small by North American standards and contains two small ovens, one of which is a convection oven), wall-to-wall carpets, curtains, and a small one-car garage which most people will use for storage. Single houses have three bathrooms (one with a bathtub and one with shower), and duplexes have two bathrooms/restrooms in the house (only one has a bath/shower). Sinks are fitted with separate hot and cold-water taps, and you may find that one of the bedrooms features a small sink. Overall, the quarters are relatively modern and comfortable; however, the biggest benefit is its close proximity to the Defence Academy. Most students and staff either walk or ride bicycles to the JSCSC.
Household Furnishings
DHE will completely furnish your quarters including tableware, pots and pans, an electric iron, a vacuum cleaner, linens, feather pillows, etc. You can expect your quarters to be furnished prior to your arrival, and the furnishings will be removed when your household goods arrive. You have the option to maintain all, some, or none of the DHE furnishings in your quarters. However, you will be charged the full furnishings charge whether you keep all of the furnishings, or just one item. This is a minimal fee and should not be a major consideration. If you elect to send a partial household goods shipment with the intention to supplement this with DHE furnishings, you will want to identify this requirement as early as possible.
Household Goods Shipment
England is a full JTR weight allowance area. Most U.S. officers who are here for the one-year ACSC course without a follow-on exchange assignment tend to ship only some of their household goods shipment and utilize the available DHE furnishings. The decision is completely up to you – I recommend you bring whatever you like. Because the US Army Exchange Officer position is a 24-month tour, I shipped most of my household goods and had the DHE furniture removed. Because of the available options, I recommend you discuss this with your sponsor before making any decisions. Recent history shows that hold baggage takes about 30 to 60 days to arrive (due to high volume period during the summer months) and household goods take 60 to 90 days to arrive.
The married quarters will accommodate a 'normal' US household shipment (approximately 10,000 lbs of household goods). A few large items such as king or queen sized bedroom furniture are usually no problem, and waterbeds are also acceptable. However, storage space is limited and commercial storage, which must be paid by the individual, is expensive. Bottom line -- do not bring things that you do not think you will use. Even if you decide to accept the DHE furnishings, you will probably be more comfortable if you bring some of those things that ‘make a house a home’ including pictures, lamps, china, silverware, etc.
Appliances
British electrical current is 240 Volt/50-cycle, single phase. Most US appliances (120 Volt/60-cycle) will operate in England, but require transformers that step the 240 Volt current down to 120 Volts. Currently, RAF Croughton will only loan you two transformers. New transformers can be purchased from the RAF Fairford or RAF Croughton, but they are quite expensive. For many small appliances, you might consider purchasing British (or dual voltage) models, as it may be cheaper than buying transformers, and is definitely more convenient. Dual voltage personal care appliances, such as electric hair dryers, are particularly convenient when travelling in Europe. At any rate, if you currently require new appliances such as a toaster, can opener or iron – I recommend you do not replace them prior to departing the US, and instead buy your appliances in the UK that can accommodate 240 Volts. These appliances are available at US military exchanges in England, as well as on the local economy.
A US government-owned washer, dryer, refrigerator, and microwave oven obtained from RAF Croughton should be in your quarters when you arrive. You can sign for these appliances with the Consolidated Furnishings Management Office at RAF Croughton via APO. In the past, Croughton only had US standard/size appliances for loan; however, you will likely find that you have a British Washer and Dryer that is about half the size (or less) of the US models. However, these appliances will all operate on British electricity without a transformer.
Televisions and Stereos
Basic British television consists of five channels and can be received via the antennae located in the attic of your quarters. Satellite and cable TV are available, but they are more expensive than in the US. The normal US-standards TV (NTSC format) cannot accept British broadcasts (PAL format). The same is true for your VCR. Therefore, you will want to consider purchasing a “multi-system” TV a US Military Exchange when you arrive in the UK. Many US families bring their US-standards TV and VCR, along with their videotape collection, and use this TV/VCR exclusively for watching videotapes. Additionally, British DVDs are formatted for “Region 2,” while US DVDs are formatted for “Region 1” and (you guessed it) are incompatible. You may want to purchase a UK DVD player if you expect to purchase, rent, or borrow DVDs from your British neighbors.
The British Government requires each household to purchase an annual TV License. An annual color TV license currently costs £112 and can be obtained at any Post Office. A black-and-white license costs about half the color fee. You only have to purchase one license regardless of the number of TVs you have in your home; however, if one of your TVs is a color set, then you must pay the color TV rate. Most stereo equipment will operate normally, including radios, amplifiers, compact disc players, and DC tape decks and turntables. Older tape decks and turntables must be converted by changing to a 50-cycle drive spindle, usually available from the manufacturer.
Lighting
US lamps, which use standard size bulbs can be used without transformers by switching to 240-volt bulbs and using a plug adapter. Note that the married quarters have ceiling fixtures in each room, so the furnishings provided do not normally include lamps. If you prefer lamps to ceiling lights, I recommend you ship your own lamps and save the expense of purchasing lamps here in the UK.
Garden Equipment
 The lawns around the married quarters are reasonably large and the British take pride in keeping nicely manicured flowerbeds and lawns. DHE cuts the front lawns of all the married quarters, so you will only be responsible for mowing your back yard, which is fenced. You will want to ship your lawnmower and weed-wacker because quarters are equipped with only minimal gardening equipment such as shovel, rake, hoe, etc. I also recommend you ship your lawn furniture, and you will want to bring as many water hoses as you own because the quarters have only one outside water faucet in the back, and you’ll need several connections to reach the front.
Medical and Dental care
Medical
RAF Fairford is the closest US military support base and provides a small sick call facility for military personnel only. However, the aid station can fill prescriptions received from the RAF Croughton pharmacy, and doctors are available for routine appointments (i.e., well-baby, immunizations, etc.) twice each month. Routine medical care for military personnel and family members is available at the USAF Medical Clinic, RAF Croughton. You should turn in your medical records at RAF Croughton, and will want to register with the TRICARE office located in the Medical Clinic. The more complicated or specialized medical problems are usually referred to the USAF Regional Hospital at RAF Lakenheath.
Officers and family members have an option to register with the National Health Service (NHS) and receive the same services afforded to British officers and their families. Children attending British schools receive an annual dental check-up. NHS registration is recommended for US officers and their families because the medical care is free, very close to the Staff College, and does not preclude the use of US medical facilities.
Local Medical Facilities
he College Medical Centre is located on the Defence Academy at the North end of Homeleaze Road/West end of Barrington Avenue. This facility includes a local civilian medical practitioner and a small nursing staff, and provides medical attention for UK and International students and military staff only. The operating hours are from 0830 - 1630 hours Mon - Thu, and 0830 - 1600 hours Fri. Sick call is from 0830-0925, and consultation is by appointment made prior to 1000 hrs on the day concerned.
Emergencies can be handled through the Medical Centre. The nearest casualty unit is approximately 5 miles away at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon. If medical attention is required after 1700 hours the MOD Police will provide the name and telephone number of the doctor on duty. This procedure also applies at weekends.
Dependents and Civilians
Dependents and civilians should register with Elm Tree Surgery, which is a local NHS practice located in Shrivenham.
Dental
RAF Croughton is our primary dental support activity and offers full routine dental care by appointment for both sponsors and family members. During your assignment here you will not have to pay for TRICARE Dental Insurance; however, this is a personal decision based upon each family’s personal circumstances and travel plans. Therefore, I strongly recommend you contact TRICARE prior to cancelling your insurance. Children or adults may also be referred to RAF Lakenheath for further specialist care (orthodontics, surgery, etc.) as required. RAF Lakenheath sends orthodontics specialists to RAF Croughton on a monthly basis for check ups or follow-up care.
Description of Military Post Office, Commissary and PX Facilities
Mail
You will be able to receive and send mail either through an APO or the British postal system. For mail to and from the US, the APO system will save money because international postage is not needed. Your APO is physically located at RAF Fairford, and the post office will have a mailbox set aside for your mail. This is a great convenience for you prior to departing CONUS; you will already have a forwarding address, and the APO will hold your mail while you are in transit. You should be advised that the mail delivery between the US and England can be quite slow - regardless of whether it is delivered to your private British address or your US APO address. This is especially true for newspaper/magazine subscriptions (i.e., bulk mail). Internet banking and bill-paying might be a serious consideration.
Commissaries and Exchanges
RAF Fairford is the primary support base for US military personnel at the Staff College and is located approximately 14 miles away from the Defence Academy. However, the driving time is around 25 minutes (traffic dependent) via country roads. RAF Fairford offers a small commissary, a small BX, gymnasium, gas station, movie theater, Community Activities Center, and a bowling alley. Billeting is available for transient personnel.
RAF Croughton is another support base for US military personnel at the Staff College; however, it is located approximately 40 miles northeast of the Defence Academy. Although larger than RAF Fairford, this is a relatively small base that offers a small commissary, a small BX, a food court, a gymnasium, and a gas station/Service center.
There are several other Commissary and Exchange facilities available; however, they are much further away from the Defence Academy. RAF West Ruislip is approximately about 60 miles east of the Defence Academy (1 ½ hour drive) and is the main support installation for London-based units. The RAF West Ruislip NEX is larger than the nearby BXs and offers more selection. Additionally, RAF West Ruislip is a good place to park your car during a visit to London – it is free, and there is a “tube” station conveniently located outside the main gate. Unfortunately, the BX and most facilties at RAF West Ruislip are scheduled to close in 2006. RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall are about 120 miles (3 hours drive) northeast of the Defence Academy (Northeast of Cambridge, and just north of Newmarket) - and have most of the facilities associated with a major US base, including a large BX complex and commissary. Currently, the main BX complex at RAF Lakenheath is undergoing renovation and has temporarily relocated at RAF Feltwell (approximately 8 miles north of RAF Lakenheath). RAF Mildenhall, located adjacent to RAF Lakenheath, carries the type of shops not found at Lakenheath including lawn, garden and hardware. Between RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall, I have little doubt that you will find whatever you require. However, because these two bases are so far away, most US families tend to visit them once every two to three months and spend the night in guest quarters, if available.
What religious services are available locally?
The Defence Academy includes two uniformed chaplains on site. As part of the chaplaincy team there are Officiating Ministers who are local clergy (Roman Catholic, Church of England, and Methodist) in the surrounding villages. For those who belong to other faith communities, the chaplaincy team are prepared to assist you in finding the nearest place to worship in the local area. The newly built Chapel of St Alban is situated in the married housing area and offers Catholic and Anglican services.
Banking
Banking in the UK is, in general, less convenient than in the US - especially because you will have to work between two currencies. There are several choices to handle your banking and US/UK money exchanges here. One option is to open a combination Dollar/Sterling account at COMMUNITY BANK (a subsidiary of Bank of America) at RAF Fairford, where you can make deposits by US check into your pound sterling account, then pay your bills using Sterling Checks. Additionally, you will often get a better conversion rate at the US Banks. Another option, however, is to open a British Sterling checking account at the local Lloyds Bank located in Shrivenham. One of the best ways to get cash is to obtain a debit card from your stateside bank before you leave. The branch banks located on US military bases in the UK have Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) which will draw from your stateside bank and give you the option of getting dollars or pounds. If you draw pounds from the ATM, you will get the prevailing exchange rate, but will not be charged the conversion fee as you would through a bank.
There are no banking facilities available at the JSCSC, with the exception of an ATM located near the main forum. However, there is no requirement for cash at the college because all transactions are conducted through an issued Personal Identification Card (PIC).
Schools
Pre-schools
The Cottage Nursery School is run within the Defence Academy College grounds for children from 3 months to primary school age. Additionally, the Watchfield Primary (Elementary) School offers a Nursery School on its campus. Both facilities are within walking distance from student housing.
Primary/Secondary Schooling
Watchfield School is the local primary-level school (pre-school through age 11), while Faringdon Community College is the secondary-level school (ages 11 – 16) for JSCSC students and military staff. Both are public schools administered by the Chief Education Officer, County Education Offices, Oxford. Due to the large influx of overseas children in the Watchfield area, these schools have taken on somewhat of an “International” flavor; however, Watchfield School enjoys a strong academic reputation and is one of the top schools in the Oxford District – no small achievement.
DODDS
Older children may attend either British schools or American Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) while in England. The JSCSC ‘Joining Instructions’ will provide names, phone numbers, and addresses of schools in the local area. There is an American DODDS elementary school at RAF Croughton and the DODDS high school (for grades 7-12) is titled ‘London Central High School’ and located at RAF Daws Hill, High Wycombe.
Both of these DODDS schools are over an hour from the Defence Academy. If you want to send your child to a DODDS school, the US Government will arrange bus transportation, or may reimburse you for private transportation costs. You will need to work out the details with DODDS Europe, especially in these days of reduced budgets.
For assigned Exchange Officers, DODDS (Europe) pays full tuition and fees for children (elementary school-level) to attend British Private Schools. However, you should be aware of additional costs that DODDS will not reimburse including school uniforms, boarding fees, and extracurricular activity costs (i.e, music lessons, horseback riding fees, etc.). Nevertheless, this is an excellent program as there are some very good Preparatory Schools in the area. My other daughter (now 13) has attended Pinewood School, in Bourton (4 miles – 5 minutes away), in the equivalent of 7th grade, which has been a most unique and enjoyable experience for her.
Vacations (Holidays)
Vacations (Holidays) at British schools are longer than typical US schools during the school year, particularly the Christmas and Spring breaks. However, the summer break is shorter, lasting from mid-July to early September. DODDS schools have vacation periods similar to those in the US, but they rarely coincide with British holidays, which govern the Staff College schedule. The decision concerning which school to use warrants considerable thought.
POV Information
One of the early major decisions you will have to make is whether ship a vehicle from the US or buy one in England. Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with either alternative. The following information is provided for your consideration:
To Bring Or To Buy?
There are a number of factors to consider in making your decision. Perhaps the most significant factors are whether you have a big car or a small one, and whether it is US or foreign-made. Except for the 4-lane motorways, most roads are very narrow and winding. In addition, the garage supplied with your quarters is very small and may be used for additional storage. Economical gas mileage is important because of the cost of fuel in the UK.
American cars can be difficult to service and repair due to a lack of spare parts. Additionally, some of the newer vehicles equipped with computers are difficult to service because of incompatible diagnostic and repair equipment to work on the vehicle. You would be very wise to have your vehicle fully serviced and in good repair prior to shipping it over to Britain. All cars designed to US specifications will need some modification to the lighting system to conform to British rules (clear/white parking lights, yellow/amber rear turn signals, a rear fog light, and headlights dipped in the opposite direction from that in the US and Continental Europe). The cost will vary depending upon where you have this work completed; however, expect to spend approximately £200 for the modifications. Unleaded gas is available everywhere, so it is not necessary to remove catalytic converters.
Shipping Your Car
Living in Watchfield without a car is not really an option. Ship your car to England, and DO IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! Plan on about 45 -60 days transit time for your car to reach the port in England. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be sent to RAF West Ruislip and you will be contacted to arrange a date for pick-up. By British law, once you have taken possession of your vehicle, you have 72 hours to ensure your vehicle meets the British standards described earlier. You can arrange to have this work completed at a reasonable price at the West Ruislip garage; however, you will need to call in advance and coordinate for this service. Additionally, there are a number of local garages that can also complete this work. TRANSCAR has the contract in the UK for vehicle delivery to West Ruislip.
Further Automotive Information
Under the Visiting Forces Agreement, you may own any make of car from any country while in England. You may also purchase a new car here tax-free (British or foreign), but if you do this the car must either be exported home, or sold to another qualified serviceman before the end of your tour. Regardless, all vehicle owners are required to pay the annual British Road Tax of approximately £165.
Military members who ship their vehicle enjoy an exemption from this tax for their first year. Every car over three years old must pass a rigorous annual Ministry of Transport (MOT) inspection that will cost approximately £35, assuming no additional work is required. If you ship a car more than three years old, the vehicle will have to pass this MOT test before it can be licensed. I strongly recommend you check your brake linings, tires, etc before you turn in your vehicle for shipment to England.
Automobile insurance will generally cost more in England than in the US. USAA operates in England; call them early to get all the necessary information.
England recognizes your US State Driver’s License, so ensure it is up to date prior to your departure.
Officers may wish to join either the Automobile Association (AA) or Royal Automobile Club (RAC). These agencies offer impressive motoring and breakdown services (even starting your car in your driveway), and they also provide help at the port when picking up or shipping your car. The AA is the larger of the two, but the cost of each is about £40 per person per year for the basic services. Additional services can be purchased; however, be careful when “considering the extras” because they can be expensive.
Miscellaneous
Nearby Towns
Swindon
This is the closest large city to Shrivenham, with an estimated population of 157,000. Swindon offers many of the amenities you might expect in a large city and features its own museum, art gallery, and football (soccer) club. There is plenty of shopping available that includes a large supermarket (SAINSBURY), an ASDA/Wal-Mart, Homebase (similar to Home Depot or Lowe’s) a cinema complex, restaurants, and an Outlet Centre. Swindon is close to the M4 Motorway, which makes travel to other areas quick and convenient. Additionally, Swindon is located on the London-Bristol rail line and offers fast train services to Reading, Bath, Bristol, and London. You can find out more about Swindon at http://www.swindonweb.com/
Shrivenham
A typical English Village located near the Defence Academy that features some shops, pubs, schools, and sports facilities. Shrivenham hosts several community activities for the family during the year. Elm Tree Surgery, the local National Health Service (NHS) facility for family members, is located in the village.
Watchfield
A very small village located adjacent to the Defence Academy and the student housing area. The Watchfield Primary School and Nursery are within walking distance of all JSCSC housing areas.
Highworth
A market town located approximately 5 miles from the
Defence Academy. Highworth is on the road leading to RAF Fairford and offers shops, a mid-sized grocery store, pubs, and restaurants.
Faringdon
Another local market town located approximately 8 miles
from the Defence Academy. Faringdon, with a population of around 6,000 inhabitants, is larger than Highworth and offers a greater shopping selection. Additionally, Faringdon Community College provides secondary education for children ages 11-18 years
Computers
At Home
If you have a home computer, bring it as it should work without a transformer. Some components may require a transformer, so take the time to check your computer power requirements beforehand. As a precaution, use a ‘spike block’ on the line because the current can be unstable at times. If you don’t have a home computer, the Staff College has two desktop computers in each classroom that are available to students working on college writing assignments on a shared basis. Students are issued individual laptop computers for use during the academic year. US military exchanges in England (RAF Lakenheath in particular) sell computers at reasonable prices. Various local computer fairs and vendors offer parts and components at competitive rates. The housing area recently received Broadband capability and there are a number of available providers (AOL, Freeserve, BT, etc.).
At School
The College uses IT extensively for routine administration, the production of written work, presentations, simulations, and for access to the Internet and Intranet. Individuals are expected to arrive with a basic knowledge of IT and keyboard skills. The College IT system is based on Windows NT servers using Office 2000 application software. The E-mail client is MS Outlook. Each member of the College Staff has access to individual PCs with printers in their offices.
Internet Facilities
Individuals will have access to the Internet through terminals in the College library and classrooms. Internet facilities are limited by the firewall to web browsing, file transfer (inwards) and Internet E-mail; any site which depends upon active content is blocked. Use of the Internet is closely monitored and each site accessed is recorded. The accessing of certain sites is strictly forbidden. Individuals will have Internet E-mail accounts (e.g., jdoe@jscsc.org); mail sent to these accounts will be forwarded into the main College internal MS Exchange accounts.
Recreation
The British are very sports-minded, and this is especially true of the students and faculty at JSCSC. In fact, most Wednesday afternoons throughout the school year are devoted to “sport.”
The Staff College has a small, but convenient gymnasium equipped with a reasonable amount of weight and aerobic training machines. The gymnasium also features squash courts, and shower rooms for both males and females. The gymnasium is also available for family use.
Outdoor facilities include tennis courts; multi-use sports “pitches” for Soccer, Rugby, and Cricket; and a golf course. Given the relatively mild weather conditions in this area, Golf is a year-round sport. Additionally, this area of England is well known for its horses, and riding is a popular activity for the local military and civilian population. There is a riding club located on the college grounds that offers riding lessons for adults and kids, as well as opportunities for “hacking out” (trail riding) for more experienced riders.
The Staff College also has an organised sport program, which includes softball, so bring your glove. Hunting and fishing is somewhat limited and expensive in England, but real enthusiasts may manage a bit of both. Finally, in addition to competitive sports clubs, there are a number of recreational clubs to consider joining while assigned to the college (i.e., Sailing, Orienteering, SCUBA Diving, etc).
Pets
Cats and dogs can now be brought into England under a new program known as PETS (Pet Travel Scheme) that eliminates the emotionally difficult and financially expensive 6-month quarantine requirement. PETS follows a rigid 5-step process prior to shipment:
- “microchipping” your pet;
- administration of a rabies vaccination
- required blood test and subsequent 6-month waiting period
- the PETS certificate that is completed once your pet has passed the blood test requirement
- a required treatment against parasites completed between 24 and 48 hours prior to shipment.
Please note that the process takes approximately 7 months due to a recommended 30-day period between the rabies vaccination and blood test. If this applies to you, then access the UK government website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm) to determine the most up-to-date requirements and procedures you will need to follow. I used the PETS to ship my dog and found the website of great benefit. However, I strongly advise you to only use airlines that are PETS-approved.
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