Page 86 - Mercian Eagle 2016

2 MERCIAN Inter-Company Boxing Night
Officer Cadet Claire Charlesworth, Birmingham UOTC
On Thursday 22nd September Birmingham UOTC were kindly invited to the 2 MERCIAN Inter-Company Novice Boxing Night in Chester. Each year soldiers and Officers who have little or no experience in boxing volunteer to compete in this competition with just two months to prepare.
The night consisted of 9 fights, starting with lightweight and ending in super heavy weight, each of three rounds. The favourite boxing traditions in place – the prestigious drummer, glamorous ring girls and a full house of eagerly awaiting Mercian soldiers and Officers – the fights began.
The first half of the boxing was fast
and technical as it was the lighter weight categories. The competitors were dedicated and even when the fights seemed to be being dominated by one fighter, they
were soon brought back with resilience
and determination to keep going. In the interval the Commanding Officer spoke to us about the night and informed us about the Mercian regiment. The second half was more about power with the heavy weights making some huge hits.
After the fight the CO gave inspirational words, describing how the traits shown
Private Lewis White receiving the Bashall Trophy 12 Sep 16
in the boxing match reassured him of the strength of the regiment and their ability
to keep fighting, even after being knocked down. The atmosphere of the evening was exhilarating and seeing a regular Infantry Regiment in their home was a valuable experience.
We were then taken down a lantern lit path to the Sergeants’ Mess to which we were hosted by a variety of officers and SNCOs who gave us an insight into life as
Private Lewis White receiving the Bashall Trophy 12 Sep 16
a young officer and in 2 MERCIAN. We were given a tour of the Mess by RSM Cooke who showed us the memorial wall commemorating soldiers from the Mercian regiment and its predecessors who have fallen in battle. It was a fantastic evening and a great insight into life in the Army.
84
and subsequently recommended a right- flank attack. By this time, the two other section commanders had closed in and QBOs began in earnest. As well as being
an excellent learning experience for the students, it was also an invaluable moment for us as we had complete freedom over the progression of the assault.
After a brief twenty-four hour period
for administration, both platoons were
back in the field for the patrols exercise. This exercise would mark a noticeable
shift for the students and ourselves, with less focus on physical ability and greater emphasis on writing and delivering orders. Nevertheless, the plunging temperature and howling wind ensured the troops needed
to stay on top of their ‘personal admin’;
the 2ICs certainly had their work cut out. For us, this week allowed us to refresh our knowledge of the Seven Questions and orders process, as well as giving us time to talk to our platoon sergeants and section commanders about their experiences of senior and junior Brecon, respectively. They were able to provide an invaluable insight to these courses and their training syllabuses, an aspect we had not been exposed to in the officer-centric environment of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
As we prepare to deploy onto the final exercise, and our introduction to Fighting In Woods and Forests (FIWAF) we took time to reflect on what we have learnt so far. Firstly, the phrase “always trust your section commanders” had been reinforced over and over at RMAS and the University
In conversation with the Colonel of the Regiment
OTC. Only now – with qualified section commanders and platoon sergeants – were we beginning to appreciate this mantra and understanding their true worth. Secondly, the realisation that this was no longer a training establishment with our university mates. Our responsibilities had changed. No longer worrying about ‘enough time to complete university work’ we were now engaged with real life, complex family emergencies for example. Nonetheless,
we have both thoroughly enjoyed our time
Let the competition begin
with the Prince of Wales Division Training Team and gained a wealth of experience from both the Staff and soldiers alike. Additionally, in spite of the ‘banter from
the full screws’ we are both determined
to continue pursuing military careers, with 2LT Breen attending Regular Sandhurst
in January 2017 and 2LT Palmer still considering all three branches of the Armed Forces....
THE MERCIAN EAGLE