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OLOne day at Sandhurst I was flapping particularly hard and noticed my shirt sleeve folds weren’t at the required 4 finger width. I was still faffing with transferring my name badge from the previous kit so didn’t have time to take it off, adjust, iron, and put it back on. So I did the only thing that felt logical at the time. I carefully tweaked the fold, grabbed my iron and assumed the multiple layers of fabric would protect my arm from the heat. I was wrong and still have a thin white (perfectly straight 😇) scar to prove it. Your mind makes funny decisions when you’re stressed and sleep deprived. Here’s a few hacks for surviving Sandhurst that I learnt slightly too late…
Cut the end off your toothbrush to save weight in your bergen for more important things like a full boot polishing kit 😬
Spend money on decent zip lock bags to waterproof your kit on exercise
You can never have too much gauze for pull-throughs
Wear your key on a lace around your neck at all times or you will get locked out of your room in a towel at a really inopportune moment
There is an apology tree in every square mile of the training area
And if you don’t clean the base of your mess tins you’ll be sent to the apology times. Probably on your belt buckle
Invest in really good under-socks to prevent blisters
And when blisters happen, don’t pull compeed off your feet
Every DS will tell you to move at the speed of a thousand gazelles. Don’t over-think it
Attach your helmet to a carabiner overnight or it’ll roll and fill with water
Don’t bother taking conditioner. Get a 2-in-1
Use a straightener to correct creases in a rush
On which note, don’t be tempted to iron your clothes while you’re wearing them
@oliviacoxlondon
