Page 76 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Joining A (Fusilier) Company 4 MERCIAN as a Soldier and Young Officer
by 2Lt Charles Fadipe
The life and experience of being a TA soldier is one that is exciting and unique compared with other careers. Take the best from the world of the Army and the civilian world, mix it together and the result is a TA soldier. A demanding life- choice which enables you to do things you never thought you would experience.
Before becoming part of the TA world, the first thing to do is to pass recruit training. Joining from ‘Civvie Street’, it can be a little shocking when exposed to the first stages of being a trained soldier. As one Fusilier put it, “the first day l went from never having held a rifle to being asked to remember the names of all the parts and how to strip it down, clean each part and reassemble it.” Once you get past the initial stages and settle in you begin to relist the challenge
the TA provides and enjoy learning topics such as Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN). As the training progresses it becomes harder, and culminates with the Combat Infantryman’s Course
(CIC) at Catterick, or, for those in core units, two weeks at Pirbright. This is
the final test to see whether you have what it takes to be a TA soldier; and those who do have what it takes can join their respective units with pride,
as reflected by Fusilier Merryweather, “Coming home after Catterick was a great experience, knowing l’d used my summer productively and become a fully trained TA soldier before going back to my final year at University.” It only gets better from here.
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Ex LION STAR
This event was swiftly followed by
4 MERCIAN’s Annual Camp – the eagerly anticipated Excerise Lion Star 5 in Cyprus. This was a change of pace from our usual annual camp locations (such as Brecon, Warcop or Thetford) and the training staff used this opportunity
to organise an excellent
adventure training
package in addition
to the exercise. The
two-week exercise was
spent practising our
Infantry Platoon Tactics
before undertaking
the FTX which was
based on a mixture of
conventional warfare and counter-insurgency. It began with a beach landing assault and ended with a final attack on a village with a clever enemy and their hostages: suffice it to say that it was a brilliant exercise.
The highlight of the camp, though, was the excellent adventure package that was organised, whereby most of the troops had a chance to go scuba diving, cycling and rock climbing and to engage in various water sports. “The lucky few, myself included, managed to do something I’ve
The team at the Olympic Stadium
always wanted to do and got the chance to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft – and spent a day training how to do this followed by a jump the next day. I’m happy to say all made it safely to the ground.”
More recently, nine members of A (Fusilier) Company
Sgt Andy Gorn
to Uganda as part of the AMISOM training mission. The life of a TA soldier is many things but it definitely isn’t boring.
Back in the TA Centre, the home team continue to provide excellent support to
the Company and Captain Steve Hopkinson swapped his training shoes for a mountain bike in a bid to shed those extra pounds. WO2 Carl Spencer has now returned to 1RRF as Recruiting Warrant Officer (only the third job he was given by the RCMO in six months) and he has left a lasting impression on all fronts, but special mention must go
to his huge variety and array of wigs and fancy dress costumes – he never needed much coaxing into wearing one! Seriously, his balanced approach to training has
left us much more professional, efficient
and ready for operation in all theatres.
He has now been replaced by WO2 Paul Mcloughlin 2RRF – a local Birmingham
lad, but unfortunately for the majority of
A Company and Diane Hardy (Bluenoses),
a delusional Villa Fan. CSgt Sean McGarr keeps the PSAO abreast of all Regimental traditions and also ensures recruits receive a comprehensive grounding in Regimental history, and as a Manchester City Fan provides some sanity on the football front.
My first 12 months in
A (Fusilier) Company
4 MERCIAN
by Pte Rachael Knight AGC (SPS)
When l first joined A Company last year,
l was slightly worried about whether l would fit in and keep up with all of the bulkier infantry men, double my size. These worries soon went away as l got stuck
into Tuesday drill nights, especially after completing Phase 1 Alpha where l achieved best recruit. My confidence soon started to grow and develop, as my knowledge and fitness increased. I now relish the challenge of keeping up with the blokes during tabs and runs. I have now completed the final part of basic training in Pirbright and will be starting the next part of my trade training to become an AGC Clerk. Some things l still struggle with, such as understanding the PSAO’s sense of humour and avoiding tram lines down my trousers, but l am looking forward to my future within the company and starting the next phase of my career.
The two-week exercise was spent practising our infantry Platoon Tactics before undertaking the FTX...
volunteered to help to provide security for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This has been an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where the soldiers served their country whilst also enjoying the Olympic experience.
The highlight of the Olympics, according to most of them, was the opportunity to meet the athletes and experience some of the most memorable sporting moments, including that special day where Great Britain won three gold medals in one day.
This is just a taste of what the TA will be doing in the future. As for the remainder of the year, A (Fusilier) Company will be taking part in a two-week exercise in Denmark, and some of the more senior members will be deployed with others from 4 MERCIAN
THE MERCIAN EAGLE