Page 8 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

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Infantry Engagement Team
The Mercian Regiment Infantry Engagement Team (IET) has been extremely busy this year, which marks a change from the
prior couple of years. Needless to say, the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected engagement across the Army, and for
us it was no different. With the easing of restrictions, there has been a huge uplift in interest from people wanting us to attend their events and speak about the Army and the Infantry.
The year started off with a bang. In January a Mercian soldier took part in
a week-long event in Catterick (called
an AAA), taking young potential recruits through the basics of soldiering, ensuring they knew what to expect from basic training and Army life in general. We also had a ‘Surge’ in Stoke-on-Trent, in which our soldiers attended different schools and colleges from the Stoke area each day
for a week, talking about the army, giving presentations and running command tasks. January also saw our soldiers attending the burial of ‘Watchman V’; the mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment Association.
February was another jam-packed month. Our soldiers take part in two more surges, this time in Worcester and in Birmingham, as well as several engagement events in town and city centres across the Midlands. Our soldiers also took part in a week-long ‘look at life’ course in Wiltshire for around 60 college students. While there, the students were taken through various lessons such as: Methods of movement, cam & concealment
and patrol formations,
to name a few. They
were also introduced
to some typical Battle
PT involving tyres and
lots of mud in a team-
based event. The week
finished off with a night
stalk in a wood block which was enjoyed by all. After a close down brief and an awards ceremony for the standout few over the week, the room erupted with a ‘Stand Firm, Strike Hard!’ from the students.
March was similarly eventful. This time materialising in the form of another two surges; one in Coventry and the other in
Shrewsbury/Telford. The Mercians also took part in another AAA in Catterick and another week-long look at life in Wiltshire, which was enjoyed by all just as much as the last.
April was another busy month. Soldiers took part in an important day for our Regiment: Badajoz day. As well as two more surges; this time in Derby and Leicester. Our soldiers also attended events at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum,
place by the 2nd Battalion in Worcester and Derby.
In July our soldiers were present at the Crich memorial for the annual pilgrimage and to assist RHQ to ensure the day went smoothly. There were also two surges, one in Derby and one in Worcester. A carnival in Kidderminster called ‘Kiddy proud’
was attended by the IET, and a couple of standalone command task and presentation days at two schools in Birmingham were attended too.
August saw our soldiers take part in
two further surges, one in Stoke-on-Trent, and another in Wolverhampton. A school command task and presentation day organised by one of our veterans, some jobs fairs at JCP’s and town and city centre engagement stands were also on the menu. The standout for this month was ‘Tanks, Trucks & Firepower’. Our soldiers took
part in this event over the bank Holiday weekend; an annual event attended by thousands of people. The sound of tanks firing in the background definitely set the tone for Army engagement.
September is an important month for
our Regiment as 1st September is our Formation Day. This month our soldiers took part in several job fairs, town and city centre engagement events, as well as three freedom marches; one through Chester, one through Tamworth, and one through Nottingham.
Toward the end of the year we attended a further freedom parade in Worksop, as well as various Remembrance events around the five counties. With the year now drawing
to a close, the team are looking forward to seeing what the next year has to offer.
engaging with the public as well as some veterans too!
May was much the same as the rest of the year so far. The IET took part in another two surges, this time in Wolverhampton and
Stoke-on-Trent. They were also invited to run a stand at the Notts County Show,
a huge event attended by thousands of people. Some soldiers also attended a garden party where the freedom of the Borough was given to NHS workers for their efforts during the pandemic. As recipients of this award, it was important we be there for this humbling event.
June saw our soldiers take part in another surge, again in Coventry. There was also
a Mercian presence at the Three county show in Worcester, lasting from Thursday
to Sunday. While there, one of our soldiers represented the Mercians in a wood-cutting challenge and won! Our soldiers were
also present at the Salford v Wigan Rugby match, to witness the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant; a prestigious event. Our soldiers were also engaging with the public while the two freedom marches were taking
The week finished off with a night stalk in a wood block which was enjoyed by all
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