Major General P A E Nanson CBE led the Commandant’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst on Wednesday 7th August 2019. The parade marks the completion of a year’s intensive training for officer cadets from the United Kingdom and from over 40 overseas countries. This Commandant’s Parade is the full dress rehearsal for the Sovereign’s Parade which is held 2 days later, where cadets are presented to the official representative of the Queen.
During the parade The Commandant presented the awards for the top performing cadets:
Sword of Honour (considered by the Commandant to be the best cadet of the intake). The Sword of Honour is donated and crafted by Pooley Sword Ltd.
– Senior Under Officer Charles T B L Wood
International Sword of Honour (considered by the Commandant to be the best international cadet of the intake). The International Sword is donated by the Ministry of Defence, State of Kuwait, in memory of Sheikh Ali Al Sabah, the former Defence Minister, State of Kuwait.
– Officer Cadet A Baranenko, Ukraine
Queen’s Medal (for the best overall results in military, academic and practical studies). The Queen’s Medal is presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
– Officer Cadet O P D Gash
International Award (for the international cadet with the best overall results in military, academic and practical studies). The International Award is donated by the State of Qatar
– Officer Cadet J Womack, United States of America
Forces4Inclusion
Following the parade, guests heard from the Armed Forces Diversity Engagement Team about the Forces4Inclusion campaign. The primary aim of this team is to myth bust about the Armed Forces, and engage with the communities that they defend. The presentation was a tri-service collaboration of individuals in the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force, and covered some of the topical discussions that surround what people perceive to be life in the Armed Forces.
For over 200 years Sandhurst has evolved to meet the changing requirements of the British Army and this evolution continues apace today. During their arduous 44-week course the Officer Cadets are trained to command soldiers in the contemporary and complex operating environment and for operations of the future. The enduring attributes are courage, character, and professional competence – which together should equip the Officer for the responsibilities of unselfish leadership on first appointment.
For further information visit https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-schools-and-colleges/rma-sandhurst/