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My experience so far... – Pte Clarke
Since joining the Mercian Regiment, I
have done two operational tours in South Sudan and Afghanistan. I have soldiered on Wessex Storm, a CT4 exercise and completed numerous exercises, including an exciting public order exercise in Lydd. Outside of soldiering, I enjoyed a battle field tour of Arnhem and skiing in the French Alps. I joined the army out of a sense of family pride. My grandad told me stories
of the excitement, fun and adventures
he had experienced during his time in
the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters. His enthusiasm and passion inspired
me to follow in his footsteps. It hasn’t disappointed.
The pinnacle of my short army career
has been the tour to South Sudan, where I was based in Bentiu along with 21 Engineer Regiment and the 1st Field Hospital. During this tour I was part of a force protection element within the UN mission giving protection to an engineering contingent and a large POC camp situated just outside the UN compound. We worked with foreign forces such as the Mongolians.
My deployment to Afghanistan has also been a fantastic experience. My platoon was based in a compound in Kabul. Our main role was mentoring and advising Mongolians from the Mongolian Expeditionary Task
(Quick Reaction Force) where we rehearsed and were on standby to enact several plans in reaction to potential attacks or threats
to the camp. This included a reaction to
a complex attack at one of the main entry points. We worked alongside our Mongolian colleagues. By the end of the tour we were doing rehearsals using only Mongolian command words!
I also learnt how to effectively react to a drone attack. Drones are used regularly in Iraq by our enemies in a variety of different ways. It’s really important that we were proficient in how to deal with them as it’s believed it won’t be long until they are being used in Afghanistan as well.
One of the other tasks we had responsibility for was dismounted Advisor Force Protection (AFP) patrols. These patrols were to support and protect
our NATO colleagues to advise Afghan counterparts. We would provide Guardian Angels for meetings that are helping to build the relationship with Afghans and facilitate the development of Kabul and Afghanistan as a whole.
Since being in the army, the Regiment has supported and nurtured my civilian passion and talent. I am the Army Ten Pin Bowling Champion, I have been bowling since I was 4 and have won
Pte Clarke, The Grenadiers and Pioneer Pl realising there is more to Cyprus than sun and sand
impact on the international stage by winning the World Championships and the Triple Crown.
2 MERCIAN have been fantastic in supporting my interests through army bowling. I’ve been able to meet other people from different cap badges and travel around the UK. I feel that the Battalion
is proud of my talent. I’ve been really fortunate to be able to maintain my civilian interest while still getting so much military experience at the same time.
Pte Clarke, 10ft of snow leave the Grenadiers dreaming of the summer heat
Force (who I’d worked with in South Sudan). We rotated through
three tasks for the period we were deployed. The most interesting was QRF
Since being in the army, the Regiment has supported and nurtured my civilian passion and talent.
numerous awards and tournaments, including domestic and county medals and even a medal for Wales. My ambition is to retain
my title as the Army champion and make an
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