Page 77 - Chronicle Vol 17

expeditions. The deployment of the battalion to Germany has given Riflemen the time to attend the Adventure Training Wing (Herz) in Sonnenberg, where the opportunity for mountain biking, mountaineering and Nordic ski training has been embraced with enthusiasm.
YOUR RIFLEMEN LIVED EXPERIENCE
The Battalion continues to enjoy some of the best single living-in accommoda- tion across the Army and this year we have sought to improve that by embracing a trial which affords the Rifleman more freedom to cook for themselves in their accommodation as an additional option to the central restaurant. This has proven very popular and through various welfare funds we have enhanced this ability by furnishing the accommodation ‘kitchenettes’ with modern, practical and efficient appliances that support a healthy diet.
To assist our living out Riflemen, we have made a shift to the parameters of the working day which allows serving parents and guardians to better assist with child minding duties. The working day now starts at 0900hrs to support the school run and helps to balance home duties, especially where a working spouse is under similar pressure to get to work.
WELFARE AND FAMILY MATTERS
This year the welfare team, under Capt Darren (Giz) Gornall, arranged a host of Army Welfare Service events to keep the families entertained and supported. This included a fantastic day out for the families to the Moore’s Valley country park and our Salamanca Day celebrations in the Summer. A spooky Halloween party, cocktail making evenings and trips to Avon Valley’s pumpkin picking and Fear Festival further supported our families during the battalion’s deployment in Germany. This year’s festive celebrations will include our ever-popular ‘Santa’s Grotto’, mince pies and carols. With the battalion deployed to Estonia for much of next year, the Welfare team are working hard to plan a full schedule of events to ensure our wider community is looked after.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ASSOCIATION AND CADET SUPPORT
The battalion continues to play an active role across the pillars of our Regiment. In May we attended the dedication of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regimental Book of Remembrance at Salisbury Cathedral, which we supported with a standard bearer and Buglers to play the last post. As part of the national Armed Forces Day celebration, Fire Support company exercised
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