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A SHINING EXAMPLE OF GRASSROOTS IDEAS COMING TO FRUITION TO ENHANCE BOTH THE LETHALITY AND SURVIVABILITY OF THE TEAM
Warrant Officer Class One (RSM) B K Green
The Commando Council is an initiative that I set up early in my tenure. The aim was to give our people a voice to, where appropriate, cut through bureau- cracy and improve both the operational output and lived experience of the unit. It is now seen as the primary mechanism for junior ranks to air their ideas and it has delivered immediate results, the highlights of which are detailed below.
The ‘Car Club’ was brought to my attention on the very first council meeting by LBdr Alexander. It was highlighted that those who have an interest in vehicle mechanics (or to save a few quid) do not have the ability to do this within the Royal Citadel. The suggestion offered was to set up a workshop that would allow our people to carry out low level repairs under the supervision of qualified REME vehicle mechanics. After some hard work by the Workshop team and the policymakers, the ‘Car Club’ was officially opened in late 2020.
A perennial issue with single living accommo- dation was the lack of cooking facilities. In recent years the response was always that it was a higher policy issue, above our control. However, with a bit of magic from the Quartermaster, Maj D Thatcher RA, we were able to deliver 8 new kitchenettes across our single living accommodation; the first unit we know of who have been able to overcome this regulatory hurdle.
During a visit to 148 Bty I conducted a Bty level Commando Council meeting, and one of their key deductions was that a capability gap existed within their small arms weapon mix within their teams, following the removal of the LMG from service and
when the GPMG with ammunition would overload the soldiers even more than they are already. Within weeks, the Quartermaster Tech, Capt I Mckittrick RA and his team subsequently delivered several L129A1 Sharpshooter rifles to the Bty; a shining example of grassroots ideas coming to fruition to enhance both the lethality and survivability of the team.
Commando Council
36 29 COMMANDO REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY