Page 51 - Mercian Eagle 2013

Quartermasters Department by Maj D Hallam
Time, where does it go? During a relatively stable period following OP OLYMPICS
the QM’s Dept managed to get the
odd Wednesday afternoon on the Golf course or, kick a ball around the football pitch. However before Christmas leave
the Department had to convert from ‘LOONICOM’ (UNICOM to a new stores system called MJDI, which the RQMSs but especially CSgt Buck worked tirelessly on, and after a generous month off for Christmas Cpl Newton organised a brilliant day out at Newtownards Sailing Club for
Falklands, it was
last minute but we
managed to get
everyone deploying
with all the warm weather gear we could. Only the RQMS (M) deployed basically
to give the CQMS a sanity check directly after the hand over and to act as a safety supervisor for the Field Firing phase.
Presentation Of New Colours (PONC), despite other activities such as ranges/ CAST etc was the main focus for the Dept. Virtually every vehicle and every man
Out: WO2 (RQMS) Higginbottom to Civilian life after 22 years. We wish him and his family well.
Out: Pte Dodds to Civilian life. We wish him all the best.
Out: LCpl Cadmore to A Coy Stores and promoted to Cpl.
Out: Sgt Allseybrook to Civilian life after T3 redundancy. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.
In: Cpl Howard from HQ Coy Stores. In: WO2 Aley from CSM HQ Coy.
In: Cpl Ozols from ITC Catterick.
In: LCpl Smith from C Coy.
In: Cpl Lewis from MCTC (permanent staff not an inmate).
In: Pte Stirling from C Coy (Regimental Pioneer).
In: Pte Ward from C Coy.
As Ex ASKARI STORM 3 looms ever closer the future structure of the QM’s
is about to change forever with 1st line Optimisation (1LO), starting from Sept to Dec 13 four RLC soldier will be posted into 2 MERCIAN and six 2 MERCIAN soldiers’ (4 in 6 out) posted out of the dept.
a spot of SUPPING (standing on a surf board with a long paddle) all for the price of a pint.
After that the real work started again, with:
Op HERRICK 18 RSOI, in January 13
C Coy group deployed to Afghanistan to ensure that all troops entering the country were trained and rehearsed with all the latest TTPs, deploying with them was my QM (T) Capt Keith Lincoln, Accommodation SNCO CSgt Leach and my Ammo storeman Cpl Parker, clearly decimating
the department and leaving just a few of us behind.
Op FIRIC, in February 13 saw the deployment of B Coy Group to the
was used to collect a tented camp (should we need it) from loan pool at Bicester. The whole dept dug out blind, thank you. The best two days of my 30 years in the Army were
QM(M): Maj D Hallam QM(T): Capt K Lincoln RQMS(M): WO2 Aley RQMS(T): WO2 Clark
After that the real work started again...
the PONC and the laying up of the 1WFR colours the following day, I have never been more proud.
Despite our busy programme and ensuring that the Coy’s have what they need to conduct training, the QM’s have had to make a number of changes in order for people to move on or for a break from RD. These include:
Out: Sgt Hartshorne to ITC Catterick.
Out: LCpl Parker to HQ Coy Stores and promoted to Cpl.
AGC SPS Detachment
2012/2013 has been an interestingly busy period, with the Battalion’s involvement on FIRIC/ARRC and OP HERRICK 18, the Detachment have been kept on their toes.
One of the Battalions commitments this year was to provide
a Rifle Company to act as the Falkland Island’s Regular
Infantry Company, operating out of Mount Pleasance and Onion Ranges. The eight week long commitment saw Cpl Harris and
LCpl Simpson provide essential G1 support to the troops, ensuring JPA Move & Track was up to date with the regular movement of personnel. In addition, phone/wifi cards were made readily available to the soldiers as well as to assist in any JPA Self-Service issues amongst the Coy, and support their chain of command clerically where possible. The CHRS (Combat Human Resources Specialist) got stuck in and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Post summer leave found the CHRS busy with their independent taskings and responsibilities. C Company were gearing up to deploy as part of the RSOI Team on OP HERRICK 18, so it was vital
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