A colleague of mine reminded me of a trip to Belgium. There is something about this country which feature in my memories and experiences .
I have been to Ghent, Brussels and Eperheide. I visited Ghent when I was working for Volvo in 2018 as their customs manager. They have huge facility and warehouse there where the vehicles are prepared for export to the UK for the dealership orders and which, since the UK has left the EU now have declarations and duties to accommodate before they ship.
Brussels was another place which I attended a conference on export controls in 2008. It is the de facto capital of the European Union, hosting major institutions like the European Commission and the European Parliament all of which can be visited in the so called "European Quarter".
If you have some time consider a quick and dirty tour by starting at the Grand Place to admire the architecture and grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafes. Walk over to the Manneken Pis to snap a quick photo, pick up a fridge magnet and then head to the Royal Palace and as its open, between 10:30 to 15:45; why not take a tour inside?
If you do have a day then the afternoon could be used to visit the Atomium. Spend some time exploring its exhibitions and enjoy the view from the top. Then head over to the Parc du Cinquantenaire and has been known as “Park of the Fiftieth Anniversary,” perhaps discover why as you might take a leisurely walk and perhaps a visit to one of the museums in this area.
You could of course explore the European Quarter and learn about the EU institutions and or end your day at Mont des Arts. Enjoy the gardens and the view, and consider dining at a nearby restaurant like the "yummy Bowl" or Aux Armes de Bruxelles.
But my true life experience of Belgium is centred around the Center Parcs experience I encountered in Eperheide for " a disco in the forest".
I first went to Belgium as a Chief Petty Officer, tasked with leading a detachment to Kleine-Brogel Air Base. Our team included young air mechanics and officer aircrew, with the Senior Observer of 706 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose, Helston, Cornwall, in overall command. As the senior mechanical engineer, I, along with my fellow senior Chiefs specialising in electrical and radio expertise, made up the ground crew.
Kleine-Brogel Air Base is a military airfield operated by the Belgian Air Force. While primarily a military installation, it can accommodate helicopter landings with prior arrangements and necessary permissions. Our aircraft was scheduled to participate in a flying display over the weekend. Located about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Center Parcs Erperheide, we were invited to stay at the holiday complex for three days.
At that time, there was no equivalent holiday setup in the U.K. To say the experience was exciting and enjoyable would now seem like an understatement for anyone who has done the Center Parcs experience. I can honestly say that a visit to Center Parcs is an enjoyable experience for various reasons, offering a blend of relaxation, adventure, and quality time with family and friends. What usually makes a visit to Center Parcs fun and memorable is the perfect blend of nature, comfort, adventure, and relaxation. We enjoyed a complimentary three-day stay in this wonderful place, spent time in the Aqua Mondo with its lazy rivers and fast water slides, and were free to engage in outdoor activities alongside family-friendly entertainment. In the late eighties it felt like a jolly boys' outing, allowing us to simply unwind from our busy front line commitments in a serene setting.
However, the events of this weekend would significantly impact a person’s life and career. On the second day, in the resort, the memorable weekend turned into a crisis that I had to handle as the 28-year-old leader of this expedition in 1987.
A persistent rapping at the door interrupted my evening. I put my beer down and said to Fletch, my radio engineer, "Who the hell is that at 11 pm?" The knocking continued until I answered the door. It was the Senior Observer, still in his green aircrew overalls from the display earlier that afternoon, one sleeve torn off. He looked worse for wear, and though I had been drinking, I had also spent a relaxing time at the water park with Fletch and Taff, my electrical engineer.
"Chief," he slurred, "I’ve just had to distance myself from a situation." He didn't come in but simply said, "You need to get yourself over to the main square. There's been a commotion at the discotheque with one of your lads."
My face must have conveyed my shock, but I managed to say, "Sir, on my way."
He then turned and walked away into the evening’s dark forestry gloom.
Fletch and I made our way to the center, where we saw flashing lights and vans marked with the local police logos. Yellow tape cordoned off the entrance to the disco area. The local Belgian police who handle community policing, maintain public order, and manage everyday law enforcement tasks within their municipalities had set up two large vans, indicating a major incident at happened at the resort's discotheque.
I approached the first van and spoke to the officer in charge. Although neither Fletch nor I were in uniform, showing my identity card got me escorted to the second police van. Inside, an officer was smoking a cigarette and talking to one of my lads, Gary, who was due for a promotion course upon our return. Gary had been selected for the detachment due to his outstanding performance and was considered a good kid.
Given Belgium’s linguistic diversity, the police operate bilingually, mainly in Dutch and French, but the officer's English was good as he described what had happened. Gary had been part of a people pyramid in the disco and, in an attempt to reach the glitter ball, had caused the pyramid to collapse, ripping the ball from its ceiling fixture and falling to the floor.
By the time Gary got up, the pyramid had dispersed, and so had most of the revelers. As he tried to exit, he heard a stern "STOP." Thinking of running, he froze when he heard, "STOP, OR I WILL SHOOT."
I spent three hours in that van convincing the officer that Gary was not a bad person, just led astray by more senior members of our party. I helped write a written apology to the holiday complex, paid the fine, and got Gary out around 3 am.
The full story unfolded like this: the ground crew had relaxed in the pool during the day and planned to go to the disco in the evening, meeting up around 7:30. The aircrew finished their display around 3 pm and spent the rest of the day drinking in the officers' mess, playing a game that involved ripping the sleeves off their overalls. They then took a taxi to the holiday complex around 9 pm and went to the disco in their dishevelled state.
Around 10:30 pm, the officers formed a pyramid and challenged the lads to get the glitter ball. The rest is history.
The trip back in the helo was silent, and upon landing at Culdrose, I made my way to the CO's office to debrief him. The outcome was a reprimand for the young officers, dismissed by their senior officer as "youthful exuberance." Gary attended his promotion course, as I insisted to the CO that the behavior of the officers was unacceptable and showed a disrespect for their rank and could have brought the service into disrepute.
In that moment, I realised that leadership isn't just about managing tasks; it's about safeguarding the dignity and future of those you lead, even when they make mistakes. The incident taught me that true leadership often means standing up for your team, even when it's easier to walk away.
POEM
I guess leadership's not just about who is in command, but, being there for those who genuinely need a hand.
In the shadow of a moment, amidst the laughter- a surprising test, a leader's heart must stand and guide, and rise above the rest.
When chaos surrounds you, lessons are learned, where respect and trust are surely to be earned.
A stumble made, a youth's mistake, can change a path, or a future make.
Just remember, its In moments tough, that true leaders see, the bond of trust, and dignity.