Page 80 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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HQ 20 ARMOURED INFANTRY BRIGADE
Having shouted ‘safe’ and hung up my rope and woolly hat at JSMTC, I arrived at 20 Armoured Infantry Brigade taking over the helm from WO1 (SMI) J Craig RAPTC in October 20. To
say my arrival at the Iron Fist was fast paced is an understatement, within 48 hours I had been issued an NBC suit and told to pack for a 3-week CT5 validation exercise. I was a little anxious as I was deploying as the Brigade Sgt Major so no pressure! Fortunately, the exercise went well and the Brigade is now validated to fulfil its commitment as Lead Armoured Task Force (LATF).
It was then onto PD business supporting the 4 Regular and 3 Reserve Units within the Iron fist. I am lucky to be working with a brilliant cohort of driven RAPTCI’s who’s whole-team work ethic, whether Regular or Reserve, has enabled PD across the Bde in what has been a dynamic, hard charging year within the Iron Fist. I can’t thank this team enough for assisting me with a smooth touch down into the role as the Bde SMI.
Looking forward the Iron Fist has a busy 12 months ahead with a rotation of our Units on Op CABRIT, 2 Regular Battalions on high readiness as well as supporting Units completing mission
WO1 (SMI) Will Brant RAPTC
and combat readiness training in order sustain the Brigades Operational obligations.
WO1 (SMI) W Brant RAPTC
1ST BATTALION THE MERCIAN REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) R Ingles RAPTC
From day one of my assignment, it was evident that my time as RAPTCI 1 Mercian was going to be busy, challenging yet rewarding. As a battlegroup we were informed that instead of
the expected deployment to Afghanistan, we were instead going to take over 5 Rifles and deploy on Operation CABRIT 8. Following a thorough handover conducted by Pte Wilkinson and myself, we began putting together a plan to ensure that the regiment was fully MATT 2 compliant prior to deployment. Prior to operational deployment, HQ, B and D company would firstly deploy to Garrison Support Unit (GSU) Sennelager, Germany to conduct Pre-deployment training.
To ensure all soldiers would receive the correct physical training and allow every individual the best chance of passing vocational fitness testing, a large quantity of gym equipment would be taken
Winter conditions experienced during exercise Tallinn Dawn