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What to expect

How long does it last?

Executive Stretch usually takes place over a weekend, starting after normal working hours on Friday evening. (See Events in your area)

Executive Stretch is aimed at managers and at those who have the potential to become managers of the future. It is also suitable for anyone required to make decisions, communicate instructions or motivate teams. You should also be interested in developing your skills in a range of areas, including leadership, communication, teamwork, lateral thinking and problem solving.

Do I have to be super-fit?

Although this is not a physical training exercise, you should be reasonably fit. The event is designed to show how leadership and cooperation can achieve team objectives, so activities are for a range of ages and abilities.

Are there any restrictions?

Ideally, participants should not have been involved in a previous Executive Stretch nor have previous military experience.

Confirmation of places is at the discretion of the Regional SaBRE Campaign Director. (See Events in your area)

Can my employer come along?

Employers are invited to visit their employees, usually on Sunday mornings. This gives them a chance to see the challenges you've been tackling and discuss your experience with you. They can also attend the prize-giving and lunch, and gain a better understanding of the Reserve Forces.

How was it for you?

The next best thing to being there - find out what past participants said about their experience when they took on the challenge of Exercise Executive Stretch.

"The weekend was very well organised and allowed me to have a small glimpse of what goes on in the TA. The event improved my leadership skills by teaching me to look for individual strengths and to use them for the benefit of the team and the individual."

Chris Smith, Mouchel Parkman - Executive Stretch East Anglia

"The event was a fantastic eye-opener. It gave an excellent insight into the type of training available through the Reserve Forces and the value it delivers to the Reservist civilian employers.

"It also gave participants an extraordinary insight to their own characters and capacity for leadership and teamwork. Every manager should try it."

Caroline Carlisle, The Clegg Group - Executive Stretch East Midlands

"There are three main reasons I send my staff on Executive Stretch every year. Firstly, because we are largely associated with the defence industry and it provides a better understanding of what they do. Secondly, we have a number of staff in the TA, so this helps our staff understand why their colleagues who are in the Reserve Forces have to leave on time every Tuesday evening or are sometimes tired on a Monday morning. And, thirdly, but most importantly, it is an opportunity to learn some vital skills from the best - no organisation is better equipped to teach leadership, communication and teamwork skills than the military."

Alan Woolford, Performance Director, Capability Support, QinetiQ - Executive Stretch Greater London

"The weekend taught me that teamwork and leadership are the keys to success, and reinforced in a very practical manner that it's not just important to work as a team, but vital to encourage those around you to achieve and exceed their own expectations."

Wendy Hay, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service - Executive Stretch Scotland

"The weekend improves awareness and understanding of the Reserve Forces and the value their training add to both the Regular Army and civilian employers, whilst providing a team-building environment for participants."

Kim Wardner, Defence Diversification Agency - Executive Stretch Northern Ireland

"It gave me a good insight into the capabilities of the Reserve Forces and the training they receive, allowing me to reflect on my own achievements and how I could use the new skills - planning, command tasks and First Aid - in my day-to-day work."

Steve Hesketh, Jarvis Hotels - Executive Stretch South East

"Our staff who took part in Executive Stretch clearly gained a lot from the programme. Engaging in various types of mental and physical activities - which are not what they come up against on a daily basis - obviously stretches an individual's abilities.

"The ability to learn something new and quickly while working under pressure are valuable skills which can be brought back to the business and implemented immediately."

Huw Edwards, ASDA - Executive Stretch York & the Humber

"I had the most amazing time and loved every minute. Not only did I come away feeling both challenged and invincible, my own abilities to perform in or lead a team have been developed and enhanced."

Executive Stretch South West

"We threw our bruised bodies across rivers, through pipes, over ropes and planks and were all extremely proud to have completed the weekend."