Page 13 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

A (Grenadier) Company
1 Platoon
This has been a busy year for 1 Platoon (‘The Dogs’), of A (Grenadier) Company. We have shown in abundance what it takes to be a Mercian soldier and can now look forward to a well-earned Christmas leave. Our hardest challenge undoubtedly came on Ex IRON STORM, a demanding 10 days of tactical actions that saw us tested ahead of becoming part of the Army’s Lead Armoured Battle Group (LABG). Away from the field, we have conducted a series of freedom marches, smartly parading through the streets of Chester, Tamworth, and Nottingham. Finally, as part of our professional development, we have completed a series of courses that have furthered individuals’ armoured qualifications.
Ex IRON STORM was incredibly tough for 1 Platoon; it was the 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup’s final step to achieving operational readiness. The soldiers were being tested on how they conducted themselves over a series of complex tactical actions. Every member
Soldiers of A (Grenadier) Company marching through the streets of Chester
Pl Cmd 2Lt Clydesdale Pl Sgt Sgt Costa
of the platoon stood
up and was counted
when the conditions got
tough, as a result the
1 MERCIAN Battlegroup
were successful in
achieving operational
readiness as the LABG.
What does this mean
for 1 Platoon? They
need to be poised to deploy anywhere in the world, at short notice, if called upon by the
Government. Whatever the challenge, there is no doubt 1 Platoon will tackle it head on.
After a well-earned summer leave, Ex IRON STORM seemed like a distant memory and a new
challenge had already presented itself. The soldiers no longer needed their SA80 assault rifles and bergens, instead this enemy required a whole new type of weapon. Boot polish and ironing boards.
In September, the Platoon, alongside the rest of the battalion, conducted freedom
marches across the Mercian recruiting
area. The freedom marches reaffirmed
the traditions of the Mercian Regiment in our home counties. It exercises our right
to march with drummers playing, colours flying, and bayonets fixed through the
town or city streets. 1 Platoon marched through Chester, Tamworth and Nottingham during a three-day period. Each parade was followed by a reception from the local mayor, and the soldier’s enjoying downtime in the local bars and restaurants. 1 Platoon did not disappoint on the freedom marches, immaculately presented in their crisp ‘No. 2s’ uniform and never missing a step; they did the Regiment’s history proud.
The autumn months have seen the soldiers of 1 Platoon turn their attention to completing armoured courses. They have learned how to install and operate a VHF radio on a complex platform, such as a Warrior. This qualification allows them to progress on to a Warrior driver or gunner course. Many of 1 Platoon have either learnt how to maintain and drive a Warrior or operate its 30mm Rarden cannon main armament and 7.62mm chain gun. These courses underpin the Mercian ethos, that every soldier is a thinking soldier. Private soldiers are expected to take pride in the equipment they use and ensure the Warrior is fully serviceable, so that when needed they can deliver results.
What lays ahead is uncertain. As the LABG ‘The Dogs’ must keep themselves physically and mentally ready in case they are called upon. They have continuously demonstrated an ability to adapt to whatever challenge presents itself. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks?
Every member of the platoon stood up and was counted when the conditions got tough
1 Platoon soldiers conducting Counter Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (C-CBRN) training
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
11