Page 118 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

126 EAGLE AND CARBINE
missed over the previous few months, all whilst dealing with the lingering restrictions. I had spent a year with SCOTS DG by now, had conducted one range package and one exercise, at KTC. I hadn’t conducted a single engineer task. As we built up to EX WESSEX STORM in 2021, we acted as hunter force on EX PILGRIMS PROGRESS. This was a great opportunity, particu- larly for me having never worked from a JACKAL before, to live off the vehicles, get into the routine, so that it would become second nature once on Salisbury Plain.
We deployed on the EX WS, and I showed my inexpe- rience by inevitably getting horrendously bogged in on Thetford training area. I had watched my troop leader stop before heading into a particularly green looking area along side a river and blown straight past him. Luckily the ever enthusiastic (and a bit weird) Recovery Mechanics managed to get me out, once they were finished dealing with a host of other stricken vehicles.
I deployed to Oman with B Squadron. We lived off the vehicles, in the desert for just over three weeks. There were a couple of engineer recce tasks to complete, but for the most part, I just enjoyed the opportunity to command a JACKAL in an environment in which it thrives. 1 Royal Irish laid on an excellent Adventurous Training package (on which most of the instructors/ leaders came from SCOTS DG) and had the pleasure to lead three separate groups to the summit of Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak.
On EX WS, and briefly in Oman, my engineer skillset was a requirement. A detailed route recce was conducted, a minefield was identified, and several bridge recces were carried out. This is the core reason for having Royal Engineers attached to Light Cavalry regiments. There are not a lot of RE-based tasks, but when they come about, they are often unplanned, at short notice, and time critical. This clearly becomes more pertinent, and more common, on an operational deployment. My successor, Sgt Kieron Hopkins, and his 2IC, Cpl (now Sgt) Gary Methven, were completing Going Reports after each patrol with B Squadron on OP NEWCOMBE 4.
However, when there aren’t any engineer specific tasks to complete, attached RE SNCOs must find a role. It isn’t helpful to the unit or the individual to just be a “fourth man” until needed. My predecessor became a JAMES SME and acted as a Tech Sgt with his SHQ. One of my RE colleagues whilst I was at SCOTS DG had been a training regiment instructor, so had a raft of MATT/ITR qualifications to use. The RE SNCO had good links with 71 Regt RE, so become our link
to them. My recce background made me a good fit to a Sabre Troop Sgt role. We all found a niche. The RE Cpls also carved out their own roles, one working as the gym 2IC, and Mev just loving being on the HMG. It is not very often that an RE Cpl gets to deploy on an operational tour as an HMG gunner on a JACKAL!
I have since posted back to 24 Commando RE, and whilst I am pleased to be back “home”, I absolutely loved my time with SCOTS DG. I believe Leuchars to be the best location to be based in the UK. It has everything you could need, no matter what you are in to, within a short distance. The regiment treated me as one of their own, just with some slightly alien habits bred into me from too long working with bootnecks!
I will finish with some advice to any RE rank taking up a post with The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
Embrace the tradition. At first, the grey wool jumpers and barrack dress on a Wednesday will seem like a pain. The trouser twists, the duty bagpiper playing daily, the blazer and slacks at mess meetings, all of these are things that just don’t happen in our Corps. The sooner you embrace it, the sooner you will start to understand the regimental pride that instils in the younger members of the regiment. You might start to secretly enjoy it.
Enjoy the mess. Look at the silver, look at the paintings, look in the trophy cabinets. Again, we don’t have things like these, with as much history, in our Corps, so the make the most of it while you can.
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are very, very good at what they do. What they do is very different to what we do, so learn from the while you can, and pass on any experience that you might bring.
You will be looked after. The regiment were very good to me, from top to bottom. It is worth introducing yourself to personalities at 71 Engineer Regiment, but remember that you work for SCOTS DG, not them. Take the time to integrate and it will make for a better life.
Finally, explore Scotland. Leuchars is a wonderful place to be based, and somewhere I hope to return to in the future.