Page 37 - The KRH Year of 2023 (CREST Sharing)

Training Wing
With the Regiment deployed, the training wing entered 2023 with Capt Oldfield maintaining a firm hand on the tiller of all things training, enabling the flow of career devel- opment courses to continue smoothly. Ably assisted by Cpl Fletcher who shamelessly took all the credit before spending the next 6 months “resettling” for a career outside the Army. We wish him well and hope he keeps himself out of the nick.
Following a generous post operational tour leave (POTL) the new guard was stablished in the Training Wing in late August. Fresh from spending POTL “finding himself” in Southeast Asia (generally in the bar) WO2 Gainford took on the role of Training Officer. Soon to be joined by Cpl Hopes taking a lead on all things automotive, followed by SSgt Daniels as the new, but long awaited Regimental Gunnery Staff Sergeant (RGSS), fresh from Lulworth teaching 30mm. His experience on Warrior brings valuable skills, especially while Warrior is used as the interim platform for Recce Troop before they receive AJAX, quad bikes or push bikes (to be determined).
September saw the Regiment back to school with an ambi- tious programme of technical courses qualifying people to ful- fil future roles and climb the greasy pole. The Gunnery wing has been on overtime with at least 3 Gunnery courses running at any one time. A great effort with input from all Sqn’s lend- ing their instructors in different fields. A Challenger 2 driver training concentration was arranged with the assistance of ARMCEN. This involved 15 soldiers under the care of Sgt Barnett, Sgt Hatton, and Cpl Quayle head to Bovington. It was
a great success and enjoyed by all, helping clear up a signifi- cant training deficiency which was a legacy of lockdown.
Sqns made the best of the opportunities to train their soldiers at external establishments taking up spare capacity where able on a variety of courses too numerous to list. The Regiment cer- tainly enters 2024 with more skills and knowledge at its dis- posal, setting us up for success in all that the year may throw at us.
An open-door policy has been practised by the Training team welcoming anyone willing to improve their skillset on courses. All though some were disappointed to learn that we don’t need an 81mm Mortar commander or Chinook door gunner in an Armoured regiment, Cpl Hope’s plan of a Training Wing subscription where £10 a month makes sure your mandatory training requirements never run out and guarantees prime access to career courses has been put on hold by the Training Officer (until he’s cut in).
The Training Wing wishes to thank all those who have deliv- ered training within the Unit. Cpls Gent, Mate, Crocker, Brashill, Kay, Howard & Williams on gunnery, Cpls Hamer and Matthews with Signals as well as D&M from Sgt Rider, Beard, and Cpl Hunter. Instructing is a rewarding aspect of the job observing soldiers develop and grow; all with an interest are encouraged to become the next trainers. It’s also useful for pretending you’re busy during PT...
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The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars 37
Welfare
As 2023 draws to a close, we take time to reflect on another busy year for the Regiment and our families.
The Welfare team has seen its own changes in the Department as the year has phased out. We said farewell to Captain Damien Baines as he moved on from supporting families to ensuring the soldiers’ careers are administered as the Regimental Careers Management Officer (RCMO). I would just like to thank Damien for his outstanding work as Unit Welfare Officer, he supported the families through multiple deployments, often at his own expense. I have been fortunate enough to take over Damien the last three roles in the Regiment, and every time he has left it better than he found it. A massive well done and thank you.
If we look back to the start of 2023, the Regiment was deployed on Op CABRIT 11, with a small Rear Operation Group holding the fort in Tidworth. During this time the Unit Welfare team put on multiple trips for families includ- ing Go Ape and the ever-popular Harry Potter World in London, without a doubt the highlight of the year for the families. The team also purchased tickets for local attrac- tions to keep the families busy whilst the Soldiers were away.
The Regiment arrived back from Estonia in March 23 and went on some well-earned leave. On arrival back to work in May, Capt Baines handed over the mantle of Welfare
Officer to newly commissioned Captain Carl Donald, who had handed over RSM in March 23. The Welfare team is very much the same with Sgt Clegg holding down the fort ensur- ing that Carl doesn’t promise or do anything that we cannot fulfil, Rosemary is still our crafts and housing specialist, and Cpl (Hot dog) Eddie Payne can be often found in the store checking mail and ensuring that the bouncy castles are fully functional.
October came around quickly and saw the annual Welfare Halloween Party with our trusted friends and families from the Queen’s Royal Hussars. Over 100 families were in attendance at Tidworth Royal British Legion. Sgt Clegg and Cpl Payne attacked the decoration of the event, and the RBL was the best of spooky. Cpl Payne was supported by the DJ, picked the best fancy dress and hosted the games on the day. Thank you to all those families that came and supported this event.
As we look forward to the new year with anticipation, I think it’s only proper if I say a big thank you to the rest of the Welfare Team for their hard work and commitment throughout what has been a testing year for the Regiment, its people and families are better for your hard work and professionalism. CMD