Page 142 - RSDG Year of 2023

140 EAGLE AND CARBINE
got muddled as to whether they were to arrive at RMAS no later than 0700hrs or rather that they should not have departed their own accommodation at that time.
The RAC were blessed with being based at RMAS, this meant there was no daily commute, and everyone had their own rooms. This was quite the contrast to the Standard, Colour, and Guidon parties who were uncer- emoniously left to sleep on cot beds in the Aldershot Gym.
The Regiment was well represented on the parade with the Colonel of the Regiment, the Pipes and Drums, a marching contingent, Maj Alex Jackson dressed as a RL Officer (an eagle in lizards clothing), and OCdt Craig Rintoul with RMAS. In addition, there were a team of
drivers, clerks, and chefs from the Regiment enabling the operation from behind the scenes.
The first few days were spent dodging rain showers and marching round and round the parade square. By the end of the first day, OC HQ Sqn Ldr had totted up 14,172 steps trying to get on the heal. SCOTS DG were given three instructors from 1st Bn Scots Guards and PWRR to knock us into shape which they did with equal amounts of patience and humour. Tpr Cairns nearly caused history to repeat itself as she told the punchline to one of her more risqué jokes just as the Commanding Officer was about to step off on a full rehearsal. After a momentary pause, the Commanding Officer found the step and led the Army contingent onto parade.