Page 41 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Bullet Coaching, a Battlefield Study to northern France for the JNCOs, and ‘Doctrine Dinners’ where we focussed our junior leaders on specific areas of our own doctrine such as wargaming, red teaming, deception and the estimate.
Pte Derby to LCpl. A memorable occasion which finished with a photograph with the officers, warrant officers and SNCOs, before our Fijian soldiers honoured him with a farewell song, Isa Lei.
Whilst the amalgamation has been deeply unwelcome, we have ensured
that it has not defined us, and right to the end we were focussed on ensuring that unit cohesion and Regimental pride were maintained. We were careful to ensure we celebrated everything that 2 MERCIAN has achieved during its existence, remembering with dignity those who have fallen during the numerous operational deployments that the 2nd Battalion has been involved
in since 2007. The work that went into
the amalgamation was immense. With
the heritage committee leading on the management of the Regimental property,
silver and chattels (often a source of the greatest emotion and effort), it allowed us
to focus properly on people, whilst also ensuring the Battalion funds and equipment were also properly accounted for. Long days of planning went into making sure we got
these processes right. An incredible amount of hard work across the Battalion ensured that we completed it in good order. The main effort across everything has been our people – ensuring they understood what was happening, what timeline we were working to, and what choices were available to them for their future across the Army. I think we achieved it – a team effort between ourselves, the 1st Battalion and Regimental Headquarters, we have tried at every step
At the heart of our cohesion has been the maintenance of certainty through battle rhythm. We have executed a battle rhythm that sees the Battalion routinely parade for sports afternoons on a Wednesday, CO’s PT on a Thursday and remote working on Fridays. At the heart of the battle rhythm is cohesive activity that is the life blood of any Infantry unit and layered onto our forecast. We have executed regimental celebrations with parades and PT on Blackpool beach in celebration of Alma Day, Battalion boxing, the Ferozeshah parade during Christmas week, and the Earl of Chester’s inter- company competition
which was won by B
(Malta) Coy. Whilst in
Kenya we conducted a
Meeanee Parade, oak
leaves and all, and had
the honour of hosting
the French Deputy
Commanding General
of the 1st Division
for the Field Service
to celebrate Badajoz
(which included the raising of the scarlet jacket). On our return we exercised our Freedoms through Derby and Worcester, and hosted the Colonel of the Regiment at a parade to mark the presentation of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
A highlight was the visit of our Colonel
in Chief, His Majesty King Charles III, who visited prior to the amalgamation. He was able to meet a cross section of the families, award a number of medals, and promote
to ensure our soldiers have been right at the heart of our decision making. Testament to the success was that 98% of the soldiers got one of their first three choices in where to move, with 91% getting their first choice.
One thing that has been reinforced
to me over my time in command is how much our people care. When we join The Mercian Regiment we join a family, and it
is a bond that lasts a lifetime. The fabric of
a battalion is woven over many years with the stain of much blood, sweat and tears mingled amongst the camaraderie of shared endeavour and pride. The emotion on the parade for the furling of the Colours and the bringing down of the flag for the final time was as strong as I have felt in my entire career, and I was not alone – the final shout of ‘Stand Firm, Strike Hard’ still resonates.
I could not be prouder for having had the privilege of commanding the 2nd Battalion, and for having the opportunity to serve alongside our exceptional soldiers and officers who make it what it is, and what will always be remembered as a hard fighting infantry unit of the line.
Stand Firm Strike Hard
At the heart of the battle rhythm is cohesive activity that is the life blood of any Infantry unit and layered onto our forecast
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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