Page 64 - Mercian Eagle 2012

OC
2IC
Pl Sgt Tech Sgt
Capt MJ Fulford CSgt A Maxwell Sgt D Peake Sgt S Ward
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had had little or no sleep. The 3 MERCIAN time through the obstacle course was not beaten by any of the 29 other sections that were fielded by 3 RHA and 4 SCOTS. The Commanding Officer of 3 RHA personally congratulated the boys and held them
up as an example of what pure grit and determination can achieve.
This year has also seen a good chunk
of the Platoon disappear on promotion courses. Recognition of their achievement must be noted for LCpls Watson, Watts, Perry, Tivey, French, Hallam and Dowson for successfully completing their JNCO cadres post HERRICK 14. Further to that LCpls Tivey, French and Hallam also attended
and passed the Bravo MFCs course in Warminster – a 10 week external career course where they would have had to compete with a variety of other cap badges.
Recce Platoon
Every able bodied soldier and NCO from
3 MERCIAN formed up at 0600 on Jan 17th 2012, it was dark and cold as hell yet still they came; some begrudgingly, some still half awake, some pressed men and a few out of pure curiosity. This was the pool of men from which the Reconnaissance Platoon would be formed and today they would be tested, and ultimately if found worthy, selected.
After a quick brief from the OC on
what was expected the trials began. A CFT swiftly ensued at the standard pace, however too healthy a Christmas leave claimed a few of the prospects in quick order. On return to the Recce sheds 1 hour
BATUS – Prairie Thunder 3 and 4
With such a busy first half of the year it has ensured the Platoons cohesion has been tested and not found wanting. They arrived to BATUS Canada as a formed body of men who were ready to show the rest of the Army what a switched on, battle hardened mortar Platoon can accomplish. PT 4 saw the Platoon being given the accolade by
the safety staff as the best Platoon they have had through all season, even though the majority of the men have only fired mortars in the light role whilst on operations or during the many RAAT tasks, so as you can imagine the learning curve for a fast paced armoured exercise was very steep. Luckily WO2 Flint, Cpls Franks (call sign Franks), Picking (Ginger Pick), Woodley (Osh) and Chamber (Sid) have a vast array
and 55 later participants were surprised to find the finish line a swift ‘2 mile best effort’ further away, thus a few more scalps were added to the pile. The day progressed through navigation test, military knowledge tests and more, however by COP that night the team had been selected just 24 chosen men drank a toast of port – the Pl had been formed.
The chosen men formed quickly into a team, forged in the cold of the vehicle sheds and hardened in the snow of Fallingbostel they came together. By the time the battalion deployed for a range package in Sennelager each and every Rifle Company had learnt the hard way to avoid the Recon,
of experience behind them, be it armoured or light role.
A look to the immediate future will see many of the Platoon attending the next JNCO cadre selection, the selection for SCBC and PSBC, as well as planning and executing a mortar cadre to train up the new blood that will come to the Platoon.
In summary, the Platoon is in a good place. A group of men who show pride in their abilities, who are specialists at what they do but to a man show the capability to jump out of support weapons with ease.
My time working alongside these
men has given me some of my fondest memories of being an Officer. The Mortar Platoon commanders course sees you working alongside the junior and senior ranks from across the Army, and it gives you the first insight into the Mortar club
that only a select few are members of. You come to learn the level of intelligence and common sense required to become an MFC has to be of a standard higher than most. We work alongside junior LCpls and Cpls being tested on their liaison, technical and advice skills throughout. In war they will be expected to be able to step up
and advise the Company Commander on indirect fires – where the bombs are landing and is it safe? They must be the experts in all aspects of their trade.
The Eagle has Landed.
especially if they knew what was good for them. Training continued as the platoon conducted an arduous and concentrated Recce Cadre. The operators grafted
and learnt their trade well and steeling themselves for a hard test exercise.
The patrols went to Haltern to what was becoming all too familiar a format. It was
a cold and unforgiving place ensconced in the eastern German hills and festooned with harsh ridges and wildlife. Toe to toe with
an abundance of wild boar the operators
THE MERCIAN EAGLE