Page 75 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

A (Fusilier) Company
OC Foreword Major Comery
A (Fusilier) Company, 4 MERCIAN, continue to face the fast paced reality of the Army Reserve. Whether in relation to recruiting, training, operations or the espirt de corps and welfare of its soldiers, the company is constantly evolving into an outstanding unit of men and women.
Cpl Matthews, LCpl Armour and Fus Osborne with the support of the Permanent Staff continue to overcome the challenging nature of recruiting. A (Fusilier) Company maintain the statistical high numbers compared to those of other companies, with seven soldiers having completed
CIC since April 2015, 21 individuals at various stages of training, and a further 37 showing an interest in the Army Reserve and preparing for selection. Due to such
an increase in numbers, the Company’s RRMT has had to increase, with the transfers of LCpl Allen (Ex 2 RRF), LCpl Thorne and Fus Perrins taking a hands on approach to training. Recruits and trainees have benefited from imaginative training, strenuous fitness and inspiring Look at Life (LAL) weekends.
The Permanent Staff maintain their outstanding support to A (Fusilier) Company and its soldiers. Captain Steve Hopkinson (PSAO) celebrated ten years in post in April 2015. He arrived with a full head of hair and all his own teeth, and now only one of those remain true thanks to MOD Dental Centres. WO2 Paul McLoughlin (SPSI) has retired and taken up a managerial role at Jaguar/ Land Rover; he was replaced by WO2 (Combat Egg) Lee Jones, whose balanced approach to training and fitness have left us ready to support operations in all theatres. CSgt Sean McGarr also retired in January, having served 44 in the army, with the
last 22 situated at Barrows Lane. He has been replaced by CSgt Chris Dawson Ex - 3 MERCIAN; he comes with a plethora of
Q experience, and is looking forward to the challenges of the Army Reserve. The staff also supported the family of Pte Jay Sawyer RLC attached to 2 MERCIAN through
CVO duties, and an appropriate and fitting location to hold a wake for 300.
The Army Reserve Centre has had a major refurbishment during 2015, resulting in new ablutions and locker rooms, bringing the centre into the 21st Century without losing its tradition, ambience or our connection to our antecedent regiments. Unfortunately, the consequence was the loss of our beloved St George’s Bar, which has now been relocated in what once was the Sgt’s Mess.
Training continues to follow a well structured and thought-out programme, returning to conventional infantry training, before moving onto full company weekends to develop our skills at FIWAF and OBUA.
Though there is change afoot as the battalion is soon to enter into a new FOE, whereby Tuesday nights become more admin based, and OC’s are given more freedoms to run one day company training events at weekends, a concept we at
A Company are excited to try out.
As for annual camp, soldiers had the choice of two OTXs this year; the first was Ex SAVA STAR in Croatia in August 2015, here several cadres (driving, PJNCO & SIGs) were organised, as well as a Battle Exercise phase alongside the Croatian Army. The second was a two-week Battle Camp on EX ASKARI STORM in Kenya, taking place in October 2015. A composite company commanded by OC A (Fusilier) Company trained alongside 2 MERCIAN, developing and testing the skills of the reservists soldiers, of which 1/3 will be Fusiliers.
A (Fusilier) continue to develop its retention strategy with a range of innovating training events. These included participating in local mud and obstacle races (such as the Ram Run), The Coltman Stretchers Race, a selection of social occasions including a families day in August, and our annual AT/Retention weekend which this year saw us visit our regimental HQ, before experiencing the highlights of London.
One of these occasions was the annual St Georges Day Dinner on Saturday 25th April 2015. The annual dinner not only allowed officers and soldiers the opportunity to celebrate our regimental day, but also acted as a charity gala whereby we were able to raise £975. Thiswas then divided between the Fusilier Fund and Mercian Benevolent Fund. The evening also
Members from A Coy relaxing during a retention weekend in London 8 Aug 15
allowed the 97 individuals in attendance the opportunity to give a Fusilier farewell to CSgt McGarr as QPSI, and WO2 McLoughlin as SPSI.
A number of congratulations must go
out to members of the company, as 2015 seemed to be the year for promotions and marriages within A (Fusilier) Company.
Pte Knight, Fus Kelly, Fus Buchanian,
Fus Simcox and Fus Farrell all achieved excellent grades at various promotional boards, and have now all received their LCpl stripe, throwing themselves into the tasks related to their rank. Fus O’Shea, Fus Brannigan, LCpl Buchanan and Fus Simcox have all tied the knot this summer following some short and long engagements.
May 2015 also saw the return of 13 Fusiliers and NCOs to A (Fusilier) Company, having served on Op Tosca in support of
2 MERCIAN. Cpl Scott Jones and his team performed with dignity and professionalism, with LCpl Knight receiving a letter of commendation from CO 2 MERCIAN.
Ex A Company member, Cpl Gough (Goughy) leading a Bear Grylls style survival weekend for recruits. Teaching them how to build shelters, trap and hunts, as well as skin and cook rabbits.)
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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