My journey to becoming A qualified Army Welfare Worker (AWW)


By Sergeant Kelly Thomson


Selection day was here and my initial contact with the board was when the Commanding Officer gave a brief for the days structure. Throughout the day, all the questions I had were answered which put me at ease.


I


delivered a 10-minute presentation about why I had the right qualities to be an AWW, providing evidence using both my military career and personal life and then I answered all the questions from the board.


Next, a reflective piece using a reflective model in my previous work and Kolb’s reflective practice I structured my thoughts.


An essay followed and with no idea of what the question was going to be, I had researched current affairs in the weeks leading up to this day. The essay was not my best piece of written work, but I knew I had words on a page.


2 more stages to go: my formal interview with the CO, Regimental Sergeant Major and SO1 AWW. I can recall from this experience the lack of any facial recognition from the board. I had no idea if I had answered satisfactory or not; something I found frustrating. Throughout I felt flustered, then confident, the experience was one long emotional rollercoaster. Finally, my informal interview with the Warrant Officer and SSgt. I remember the first question: “So tell me about you?” This felt like such a difficult question, but they really just wanted to get to know me.


DSWWC20


I made it to phase one training in Worthy Down for the 11- week residential academic phase of the (Defence Specialist


I felt extremely proud to have had such an impact on the candidates which enforced my pride and passion as a newly qualified AWW.


Welfare Worker) course. This consisted of learning theory and conducting practical role play identifying what I was required to know as an AWW. Even although I was tested every 2 weeks, I loved every lesson, and I discovered a lot about myself.


Phase 2; my 4-month placement in Tidworth, I was supported by all the team including my mentor. As well as putting into practice what I had learn in phase 1, I had to complete a portfolio of work which directly linked to my cases; ensuring that I met each Key Learning Point (KLP) along the way. At the end of Phase 2, I graduated and qualified as an AWW; a title I am extremely proud of.


Current selection


9 months after graduating, I hosted the Military candidates for the DSWWC 22 course, which was my opportunity to give back, support and reassure the candidates as I had been. The structure of their selection day was reminiscent of mine; each candidate was nervous and really didn’t know what to expect on the day.


I observed candidates completing their stages just as I had and provided support and an insight of what it is like to be an AWW.


86 AGC JOURNAL 2022


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