Page 56 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Hungover on the way back from Queenstown
After the New Year period finished, I deployed as the Trg Sgt for 1 RGR JLC. I flew out to Brunei where I spent the first four weeks. This involved an acclima- tisation package on the first week, where it started from a one hour walk with no kit, to building up to full fighting kit order. A highlight of this period was watching the monkeys steal people’s breakfast from their balconies, as I was sweating my arse off.
As the weeks went on, the weather was unlike anything I have experienced in a long time, especially under the canopy in the jungle. Luckily, we were under the canopy during the daytime because the ants were big enough to carry SSM Hirst. Poisonous frogs hibernated in the trees and a load of other nasty stuff was kicking about. Not to mention the razor-sharp spikes on every other tree, safe to say it felt safer walking with your hands in your pockets, so that you didn’t touch anything which could hurt. Conducting an SCR at 0730hrs in 37 degrees on the beach was one to forget quickly, as the humidity was horrendous. I couldn’t wait to get back and neck on with my air conditioning in Sittang Camp.
Whilst staying in Brunei, one of the MAB members on the course knew a Puma helicopter pilot, who took the MAB team and myself for a trip over the jungle to recce helicopter ERVs. The sheer size of the jungle was breathtaking and an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
As my time in Brunei was coming to an end, it was time to start prepping for the exercise phase in New Zealand. At the
1 RGR JLC
Chasing the rainbow on the NZ acclimatisation
beginning of February 2023, we were on our way down under. We finally arrived in Tekapo Camp (NZ) getting to our accom- modation, to discover it was very similar to a “chicken coop”. This was our home for the next five weeks whilst in camp.
During daytime whilst the students were carrying out in camp training, the training team and I went out onto the exercise area which was ‘Brecon abroad’, with a mountain range going all the way around it. We prepared the day and night navigation routes, conducting recces for all aspects in preparation of the exercise phase. The
training area itself was absolutely amazing, with glacier lakes all around it and views of Mount Cook on a clear day.
Moving through the days in NZ, the dreaded Fan Dance was approaching. But off we went, straight up on the team effort race, it was, a never-ending climb up, false summit after false summit. But when we finally reached the peak and a well-deserved water stop, we were greeted by absolutely breathtaking views of Mount Cook.
On completion of the final Ex phase, there were a lot of 1 RGR JLC students feeling sorry for themselves yet overwhelmed with their individual achievement. I was not fully aware how a big thing JLC was for the Gurkhas when I first arrived, but on completion of the final exercise, I have a much better appreciation of its signifi- cance. Having spent weeks eating goat and rice, the chefs knocked up a special meal for me; “Fish & Chips”. They must have been feeling sorry for me as everything they ate had some form of spice which I cannot stand, Nice n Spicy Nik Naks are my limit.
During the (NZ) phase of the JLC, AT was planned where white-water rafting was one of the activities and I can honestly say this was one of the best parts of the trip, an unbelievable experience. This was alongside the nights out in Queenstown which were thoroughly deserved in the end.
SM
A view from above over the Brunei jungle
Another amazing view of the southern edge of the training area
Southern edge of the training area with the glacier lake and mountain range behind
Lake Tekapo a five-minute driver from the camp
54