Page 19 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

9 Platoon
Over the course of the past 12 months, the men of 9 Platoon have been at the forefront of the key commitments given to the Battalion, devouring task after task with absolute professionalism.
When it came to transforming a waterlogged
demonstration area
into a seminal lesson
exploitation venue, they physically led the way when helping to build the stands and build scale- models of defensive positions. Thereafter, they tactically led
as LCpl Higgingbottom, Ptes Smith 22 and Wharton were recognised as the best shots in the Coy, in the Mounted and Dismounted roles; they received
a Commanders Coin for their efforts.
the way when it came to some tough
and relentless Company exercises using
a mixture of Armoured Infantry and Light Role tactics to defeat a determined enemy.
After a period of conceptual recalibration, the Platoon then matched the spread of the Battalion, sending men to London on Public Duties, to support the OPFOR task in Canada and to help keep the ROG running. On Public Duties, we took pride in showing the guards how it’s done. It was an enjoyable but demanding role for all ranks, with a chance to be based in central London for long enough to enjoy it without being there for so long that your bank balance crumbles! Whilst there, we ran numerous platoon days
out to the key tourist spots and also had the pleasure of meeting members of the Royal family. Concurrently, Ptes Harding, Workman and Wharton deployed to Canada, gaining experience in the Armd Infantry role and representing the ethos and quality of 9 Platoon.
Following a well-deserved summer leave, we deployed to Castlemartin Gunnery Camp. Once again, 9 Platoon led the way for shooting and gunnery
Commendation for his work in Ukraine at the end of 2016, which was amazing.
Equally impressive
was that 80% of
the soldiers in the Platoon smashed out a marksman score on the Close Quarter Battle shoots after coaching from the platoon
staff. It was during this camp, that Pte Wharton was notified he had been awarded a Joint Commander’s
Standby Battalion. In preparing for this role we got the whole platoon to the required standard with regular kit checks, rock drills and training. When we got called-out as part of the Lead Coy Group, we nailed the task and performed as well as we had expected.
On the road to stand-down, we enjoyed a week of Christmas celebrations including a meal out as a platoon with
a Christmas jumper competition (the winner being Pte Holmes) and with the full platoon in attendance at Brigade boxing. Whilst we have done a lot of sports, Pte Wharton has stood out and has now represented the Battalion in skiiing during Ex FROSTED BLADE, winning a range
of medals before moving onto the Div Championships.
As ever, the Platoon has seen a
lot of movement, with LCpl Hopkins, Ptes Higgingbottom and Rowlands all
‘9 Platoon have been at the forefront of the key commitments given to the Battalion’
We soon progressed on to provide Sustainable Support to Experimentation and Training for the period Oct – Nov 17. On average 90% of the platoon was deployed every week to support Field Army units conducting training on Salisbury Plain. Cpl Hopkins must be singled out for the fact that he deployed on pretty much
every single task as
a driver. Over an
intensive 5 weeks, we
managed to do some
brilliant dry and blank
training including:
Urban operations;
Forest operations;
conventional Pl
attacks by day and
night; navigation; obstacle crossings; delays; patrol skills and formations (and much more), gradually building our baseline knowledge and skill level.
Following this focus on conventional warfighting, we switched focus onto UK resilience training as part of the UK
promoting, with the latter going to B Coy. Cpl Fowkes has moved to the ITC, and LCpl Odhiambo and Pte Smith 22 have also moved Platoons to show the rest of the Company how to do it. The platoon welcomed
in Sgt Mackenzie-Bell, Cpls Bagley and Rowley-Johnson, Ptes Byrom and Solek. The Pl also welcomed LCpl Thurman into the Platoon, who since arriving has recommitted to the Battalion and has welcomed his own little soldier into the world – well done!
‘On average 90% of the platoon was deployed every week to support Field Army units’
Platoon Comd
Platoon Sgt Warrior Sgt
Lt Nathan Brannon
Sgt Wright
Sgt Mackenzie- Bell
form part of the Public Duties Company deploying to London as part of the Queen’s Guard. 8 Platoon soldiers were both nervous and excited at the prospect of working in London from May to August and parading in front of Royalty as well as thousands of people on the forecourts of Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London. At this point, there was much work to
be done. April and May saw us spend
long hours pounding the parade square. Thereafter, London itself was a magnificent experience for the Platoon and we all felt an immense sense of pride and honour every time we conducted our various parades
in the public eye. A typical week would
see soldiers parade around and guard the
palaces, explore the sights and sounds of the city by day and night, conduct unique military training and take part in a variety of interesting and cultural exploits. All in all, the three months spent in London was the highlight of 2017 for most of us and the highlight of a number of the 8 Platoon soldiers’ careers so far.
In September, the Platoon deployed again. This time it was to Stoke-on-Trent as part of the Regimental recruiting effort; a brilliant way for soldiers to catch up following three weeks of holiday. This was followed by a two week Gunnery camp
on Castlemartin Ranges in West Wales. Soldiers went through a variety of Mounted and dismounted shoots over the two weeks as well as experiencing what South
Wales has to offer by way of hill walking. Opportunities to develop our skills and practice parts of the Battle Craft Syllabus were also taken through a variety of Support to Experiment and Training tasks.
All in all, 2017 has been excellent and varied for the soldiers of 8 Platoon. I anticipate 2018 to be no different. I would now like to take the opportunity to say good luck to Pte Stockton and Pte Osbourne who will be attending the Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Course and LCpl Kelsall and Cpl Carroll who will be attending courses in Brecon in January 2018 – well deserved!
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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