Page 83 - Mercian Eagle 2012

pack and told that it was lunchtime. For all the YP it was a good experience, they learnt how to light hexamine and cook in the rain.
Following lunch the YP had a demonstration on how a soldier would conduct administration in the field. They were shown how to erect a basha, which was significant as the YP were going to spend Saturday night underneath a poncho. Again the necessity for team work and the ‘buddy buddy’ system was stressed to the YP.
The next lesson for the YP was camouflage and concealment. Although this was a fun lesson and the YP enjoyed getting their faces covered with cam cream, they did take away the serious point that you must work with your team / colleagues to avoid being seen.
Before evening meal, the YP took part in a survival exercise for three hours. A survival instructor taught the YP how to build a makeshift shelter using natural materials, and how to make a simple stew from potatoes and nettles. The YP were also taught how to prepare a trout for cooking, which they did on an open fire after they had been taught how to make fire. The YP learnt from this lesson that again they need to work as a team to gather sufficient amounts of wood to cook with or nettles to enable them to eat. They also learnt that not all food comes from a packet and there is preparation to do in order to eat. Most of the YP had never seen
a dead fish before, so cleaning, cooking and eating it was a wholly new experience.
After an evening meal of potato and nettle soup, rations and toast cooked on an open fire, the YP were given a brief introduction to map reading before being set off on a navigation exercise around Nesscliffe. The YP were split into teams of 3, mentored by a soldier and chaperoned by an adult from WMP, TWC or SCC. Upon their return, hotdogs, tea and coffee was provided before they retired to their bashas for a night in the woods. By 11.00pm, all the YP were asleep, exhausted from the day’s activities.
Reveille was at 6.00am the next day. After packing up their kit, cooking breakfast, the YP moved into Nesscliffe main camp. They were split down into teams of 4 where they did command tasks or live firing on the 25m range. The live firing was the highlight of the weekend. All the YP were supervised on a 1:1 basis. Because only four YP could fire at any one time, the other YP took part in command tasks to challenge them mentally and encourage lateral
thinking. The YP thoroughly enjoyed the shooting and some good group sizes were achieved.
Outcomes
By the end of the weekend, the YP were very enthused. They enjoyed the weekend and were all exhausted by the end. There was a notable change in the attitudes of the YP. All experienced something that they had never tried before. There were genuine expressions of thanks from the YP involved.
The visitors (a Senior Police Officer, a Director of Social Services, a local councillor and carers of the YP) were surprised at the difference in the YP over two days. The YP had gained confidence and learnt the importance of working in a team. They had developed a positive ‘can do’ attitude, and developed their ability to think laterally. They had learnt that instructions are given for a reason and there was a genuine basis behind the directions they had been given over the weekend. They could understand why orders are given and that it is not necessary to challenge or question them. More importantly they learnt about themselves. Their inward reflection on their experiences will stand them in good stead for the future.
A number of the older YP expressed an interest in the Army (both regular and territorial) as a result of their positive engagement.
The relationship between the YP, the Police and the participation workers was enhanced. Sadly some professionals view young people in care as troublesome. This view is reciprocated by YP towards professionals and barriers are built between agencies that exist to protect the most vulnerable in our society. This exercise, by taking youth workers and police out of their own environment helped remove the obstructions which can exist. The exercise helped to overcome the impediments that hinder relations between the police and YP. There was a definite improvement in the rapport between the YP and the police and a connection established.
The event went very well with limited resources. It raised the profile of the Army in the eyes of local agencies. As a spin off, there may be greater interest in the armed forces from some of these individuals in the future. However, the biggest benefit, is the difference in the YP at the beginning of the weekend, compared to the end. This cannot be measured objectively, but could be seen by all.
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deploying on Op HERRICK 17 and those soldiers were put through their paces on a six day FTX. Those soldiers not mobilising for HERRICK were put through LS5 and were taken through OBUA skills, platoon attacks and a range package at Pyle ranges. LS3 culminated with a fast and furious beach assault from landing craft, with an advance to contact and helicopter assaults on the final objective. For those who have never been on operations in Iraq or Afghanistan
it was a great insight of what is to come,
as the soldiers exercised in temperatures
in excess of 40 degrees centigrade. The Duke of Westminster was one of the high profile visitors to the Company on the exercise. He was impressed with the skills and physical robustness of the riflemen from E Company whom he saw. Just to make the whole experience complete, the adventure training package that was offered was excellent. Soldiers were able to take part
in parachuting, scuba diving, rock climbing, mountain biking or mountain walking. Ex Lion Star was a fantastic exercise, and was enjoyed by all the soldiers who took part.
It demonstrated the role that the Territorial Army has in support of the regular army, and that the TA can be a fun and attractive second career for Ex-Regulars or civilians alike.
L-R: Rfn’s Summerfield and Empson on exercise during Ex LION STAR
Latterly the Company has been preparing for Op OLYMPIC. We mobilised 20 soldiers who took part in the biggest sporting spectacle which the country has ever seen. E Company is proud to have played its part in ensuring that the Olympics were enjoyed by everyone.
The summer months were busy for
the Company with soldiers mobilised for
the Olympics and Afghanistan. Recruits and instructors away for five weeks during Summer Challenge and courses always happening. Sadly the Company lost one of its soldiers in April 2012. L/Cpl Shane Scott died after a brave fight against lung cancer.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE