Award-Winning Soldier’s Training Is So Inspiring That Troops Volunteer

Photo Credit: Sergeant Steve Blake, Army Photographer, RLC

A soldier whose training methods are so inspirational that troops are often eager to sign up for extra hours and train in their own time - even in the extreme cold of a Baltic winter - has won an award for his mentoring skills.

Corporal Daniel “Frank” Skinner, 28, of 26 Engineer Regiment based at Perham Down, has been recognised in the 2018 Corps of Royal Engineers Awards for his innovative and inspirational training methods.

It is a testament to his skills in building confidence and empowering troops to teach their own sessions using their own core of expertise that troops have been keen to volunteer even in their own free time and even when bracing against plunging temperatures on deployment in the Baltic states – where the extreme cold can often hit lows of double minus figures at night.

His award, in particular, recognises how instrumental he has been in delivering an extensive training programme across a wide range of military skills during the regiment’s eight-month deployment to Estonia during Operation Cabrit, the British Army's operational deployment to Eastern Europe as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence.

Cpl Skinner, who is usually based in Tidworth, would often sacrifice his own time to work on the training for the troops.

He told Forces Radio BFBS presenter Adam Powney that one of his methods for younger soldiers aged 18-20 included designing a training format that allowed the newer soldiers themselves to teach lessons in their own areas of knowledge. Speaking of his award, he said:

“I was well chuffed. I thought a lot of the work and time I had put in had gone unnoticed, and while I was not doing it for myself but to help the lads improve themselves and aid them with their own career progression, to then find out it had been noticed and I was being formally recognized was a special moment.”

During his time in Estonia, Cpl Skinner initially provided training for his section only but they proved so successful, that he started providing training on field engineering and infantry assault bridging to the whole NATO Battlegroup, including participation from both Estonian and Danish soldiers where knowledge and experiences were exchanged.

“I saw the deployment as an opportunity to invest more time in training and mentoring the guys on how to live and operate in the extreme cold temperatures, hone soldiering skills and build confidence in themselves. 

His citation records:

“In 13 years of service I have never seen soldiers or officers volunteering to deliver or take part in lessons; this is a testament to the inspirational leadership that Cpl Skinner has shown as an instructor.”

Forces Radio BFBS Presenter Adam Powney visited Cpl Skinner after the awards, you can catch the chat below. 

Photo Credit: Sergeant Steve Blake, Army Photographer, RLC