News - Server-Drome

The new Deputy Commander
took up post on departure of his
predecessor Colonel Polley at
the end of December. Colonel
Sernberg is no stranger to the
Garrison as he spent three years
with The Life Guards in Athlone
Barracks in the early nineties.
“My wife and I spent a very happy
time in Sennelager and we are
looking forward to returning to
An der Grimke. My son, now in
his last year at school, was born
in St Johannistift hospital so we
have considerable ties here and
all have great affection for the
city. My daughter was also born
in Germany, in Münster, when I
served with the 4th Royal Tank
Regiment in Osnabrück. So we are
delighted to be back in Germany.”
Colonel Sernberg has had a
varied career in the Army. He
was commissioned into his family
regiment, the 22nd (CHESHIRE)
Regiment, in 1978 while at
university studying law. In his early
years he spent time in Northern
Ireland, Ghana, Hong Kong and
Caterham, as well as Osnabrück.
He has spent the last 15 years in
Army and MOD computer systems,
latterly with the Army Recruiting
and Training Division in Upavon
News
What’s happening in the Garrison
Col Johnny Sernberg
returns to Paderborn
from where he moves. “My early
life was dominated by infantry
dismounted soldiering in many
parts of the world. I was also
lucky enough to spend 18 months
as a squadron 2IC and Chieftain
tank commander completing a
full training year with a Med Man
in Canada. I then changed my
professional focus to computer
systems with the Royal Army Pay
Corps, but frst as a paymaster,
hence The Life Guards. I have
spent a number of staff tours in
MOD and HQ AG since then, and
on exchange with the US Army
in Indianapolis. After 15 years
of computer systems, I decided
that I would enjoy a break. So
here I am, and very much looking
forward to working as the Deputy
Garrison Commander of Paderborn
Garrison.”
Colonel Sernberg has been
instrumental in a number of major
Army and MOD projects. He
was part of the JPA team at its
inception (he says it is slightly
different now!) and worked
on the MOD’s Joint
Experimentation strategy
when the major battle labs
at Farnborough were set up.
Most recently, he was the
leader of a very small team
looking at convalescence
capability for Defence,
now to be implemented
as Army Convalescence
Centres. He declares
some understanding of how
the medical and welfare
services are delivered
as a result. “I have been
fortunate in the last 8 months in
understanding many aspects of
operational casualties and welfare
support. This has given me a
good foundation for the work of
the Deputy Garrison Commander.
There is a good team here, and I
look forward to working with and for
the Garrison.”
Goodbye Col Polley!
After 34 months as Deputy Garrison
Commander, Col Bertie Polley departed
in style from Headquarters 20th
Armoured Brigade, to much laughter
and applause.
After a goodbye breakfast in the
Offcers’ Mess, he took pride of place
on top of a Warrior and CVRT armoured
vehicles for his last journey back up
through Normandy Barracks before
departing for his course at the Staff
College in New Delhi, India.
33