Page 75 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Ex SAXON LANCE
Cpl Greenhill
It’s been the longest period I’ve had without being able to attend a field training weekend with my last one being back in January or February. So, I was really looking forward
to this exercise. A field training weekend
in the Army Reserves is a bit like a box of chocolates, some are great, others leave
a bad taste, and after a week of hard graft at my civilian job, I was hoping to get some sleep on the Friday night before getting stuck in.
Arriving in Leek Training Area on a Friday night is a bit like driving into Mordor. The dark narrow roads lack signage and when combined with the obligatory rain and fog only reinforced this view of entering ‘the middle of nowhere’. There was no need for concern over rest as the ORBAT, radios and ammo were already down to the platoon
to organise. This enabled the Platoon Commander, Platoon Sergeant, and junior ranks to familiarise themselves with and
get to know their section colleagues for the weekend events. Though few in numbers, those that had turned up to train included a good mix of well respected, senior Privates and JNCOs along with some who were attending their first battalion weekend, fresh out of Catterick having completed the Combat Infantry Course.
After a decent night’s sleep in the relative comfort of a disused barn, morale was high. We were soon set off and into attack after attack making for a high energy, high tempo morning of Advance to Contact. We
hope those attending a training weekend for the first time don’t think that every weekend matches this one for intensity, every weekend in the Army Reserves is very different. A thoroughly packed and rewarding weekend was had by all showing the high level of personal Infantry skills and professionalism we have within the ranks of 4 MERCIAN.
certainly made an impression on our enemy forces, kindly provided by East Midlands Officer Training Corps.
Our personnel gained confidence from the feedback provided by PSIs allowing steady fine tuning of personal skills and drills. The med plan for casualties was tested and proved further confirming the confidence we had in the Pl Sgt’s CASEVAC plan. Likewise, confidence and trust improved in the Platoon Commander and our Section Commanders as we put into effect the robust plan to achieve our aim of clearing the enemy within boundaries.
I think one of the strengths we showed during this weekend was communications between the Section and Platoon Commander and the 2ICs and Platoon Sergeant. Each Section had their own PRR channel and the Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander had their own channel too enabling very quick and accurate information to be passed on ‘chat nets without clogging up company or Bn radio nets. Even with the undulating terrain of Leek, seemed to know the location of all friendly and enemy forces by effectively communicating as a platoon whilst keeping the Bn net to send our formal reports and returns over.
The weekend was high in intensity
with a Platoon Harbour base established, models made, orders given, silent and noisy rehearsals conducted, route recce sent out and a TAB with Bergans. All done before conducting a dawn Deliberate Attack onto fresh enemy positions.
I believe everyone got something out of the weekend activity and nearly all personal battlefield skills and drills were improved. I
Life in the Army Reserves
Cpl Varun Bali AGC(SPS)
I joined 4 MERCIAN in October 2021 after serving 10 years in the Army as a Regular soldier. The whole transfer process was extremely smooth and the transition very uncomplicated.
At the time I was not particularly
sure how things would work out as an Army Reservist and was quite apprehensive, particularly regarding my desire to continue competing
for the Corps, Army and Combined Services cricket team, as I had done as a Regular soldier. I then had
an excellent first meeting with the Regimental Administration Officer, Maj Jason Mantle, who immediately put me at ease. All of my questions were answered and the Battalion, forecast of events and my role were discussed which really helped. Importantly, the nature of support available to allow me to follow my passion of playing cricket was also discussed. I left this meeting feeling like I had been a part of the Battalion for a long time and they were willing to invest time in me.
Key to me joining 4 MERCIAN
was that my working life and family stability was recognised by all of the chain of command as a key priority, which in turn provides extra peace
of mind to any soldier’s life. I have been fortunate to have attended all games of cricket for the Corps, Army or Combined Services this season. The Battalion have supported me with this and Maj Mantle has also travelled down to Lord’s Cricket Ground to offer his support for our Inter-Services T20 tournament which we won.
I am only one year into my Army Reserve career and am truly grateful for all the support and can honestly claim that joining the Army Reserves and 4 MERCIAN has been a positive decision.
Ex FROSTED EAGLE 22
Maj Jason Mantle
After two difficult years, the Battalion Ski Expedition finally took place in February 2022. Last minute COVID related changes meant we travelled to Italy instead of Austria, as previously planned, but we cannot complain. We took 23 Army Reservists of which 13 were complete novices having never skied before. The
ski conditions were perfect throughout the week with the sun shining and conditions excellent. The whole group bonded on
and off the slopes with WO2 Mike Buckley leading the Après Ski activities with his offer
of ‘the total skiing experience’. All groups improved impressively, fully immersing themselves into the lessons. The week ended well, with time to take a trip into Venice before the flight home which was appreciated by all and gave us a few hours of downtime at the end of a busy and tiring week on the slopes.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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