Page 37 - 4RA 2021-2023

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
“Back in!” Following Op BRIDGE we were back to our business as usual. Causing maximum violence at the target end and ensuring that when we fight, we win
Engaged on a Combined Live Firing Exercise when Op BRIDGE was activated
His Majesty King Charles the Third with a 21-round Gun Salute. With a thunderous round of applause on the arrival of the Fighting Fourth and another on the com- pletion of the salute, the crowd poured out their emotion on what marked this point
in history, and our first duty to our King. These were the only Royal Salutes taken in Northern England, and represented Fourth Regiment’s professionalism, dedi- cation and ability to react at pace, coming together as one team. And the next stop?
With our Number 2 dress packed away and dressed in fresh exercise gear, we headed back to Salisbury Plain, ready for more live firing and tactical training along- side our supported Battle Group. God Save the King!
Executed with precision and honour. Members of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery fire the 96-round Royal Salute in York Memorial Gardens
‘Movember’ and men’s mental health Bdr Nichol
My name is Bdr Nichol, and I am passionate about men’s mental health, and I believe in erasing
the stigma surrounding mental health. Having experienced my own struggles with mental health, I know that opening up to family and friends can be difficult. I once thought that I needed to present myself to others as a strong individual who didn’t need support. This didn’t work for me, but seeking help through some of the avenues open to me in the Army has helped put me back on the right path.
Over the past couple of years, I have been raising money for the “Movember” campaign, a charity which focuses on men’s mental health. In November 2022, I organised a fundraising event where I sought to complete as many Role Fitness Tests (RFTs) as possible in 24 hours. The RFT is a role-related fitness test, which replaced the Annual Fitness Test (AFT) of old. It contains a number of elements
including carrying a 40kg bergen for a 4km tab, 25kg webbing and daysack for a 2km run and a simulated casualty drag. 24 hours of this was very challenging, particularly through the night and while my muscles stayed strong, my joints and ligaments suffered on the final 4km, forc- ing me to take a break every 80-100m. Despite this I persevered and finished six RFTs before Commanding Officer’s PT on Thursday morning. In doing so I covered a total of 45.36km and the event raised £1,765 for the Movember cam- paign.
I want to emphasize that it’s okay to not be okay and encourage those struggling to reach out to loved ones, to talk, and to not be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, we need assistance to overcome our suf- fering, and we don’t have to go through it alone. However, we must be willing to accept help. As for this year, I’m still deciding what to do next, but spreading this message will remain my focus.
Bdr Nichol mid- way through the 24 hours of RFTs challenge
35