Page 5 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

I am delighted to write the
foreword for the latest Mercian Eagle. Throughout the pages that follow you will get a flavour for the enormous achievements the whole Regiment (serving, veterans, cadets, associations, and museums) has made over the last year.
Everyone associated with the Regiment, families, and friends, have at some time experienced
the challenges that come with service life. However, we are all now also impacted due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. There are many new terms that are now in common usage: furlough, ‘new normal’, PPE; and I sense that there are some more challenges ahead of us as we all begin to work to that new normal. Throughout this I have been so impressed
with the resilience, determination, fortitude, and imagination that you
have all displayed during these unprecedented times. From the innovative ways in which battalions
have adapted to virtual/dispersed training, through the truly outstanding deployment by 4 MERCIAN of a mixed regular and reserve team to support mobile testing units, to Associations holding regular meetings on ZOOM. It absolutely typifies the Regimental ethos of ‘Standing Firm’ and just getting on with it. I am extremely grateful for all your efforts – and for your steadfast fortitude throughout.
Going forward the next year will continue to present challenges and opportunities. Both the regular Battalions are currently due to deploy on operations in 2021 and they will be supported by our Reserve element.
The 1st Battalion deployed soldiers on operations to Estonia and the Ukraine, as well as enhancing their armoured infantry skills, and have seen a marked increase in course qualified individuals; increasing the warfighting capacity. As well as this, a Company was also deployed to Oman to work alongside the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces. Against this high tempo backdrop, they also managed to become Infantry Ski Champions, were third in the Nordic event, and became 1 Brigade Boxing champions; in addition to winning a Gold at the Cambrian Patrol competition.
The 2nd Battalion have had their Cyprus tour extended until Nov 2020, when they will move back to Weeton Barracks. The way the Battalion have risen to this unexpected stay on the Island has been inspirational; the leadership by all ranks and the adaptability by families has been remarkable. They conducted a truly memorable Arnhem 75 event, where the two VCs won by our antecedents were
flown out to Cyprus as part of the commemoration. The Battalion
has also continued to dominate on the sporting front and won a Silver medal in the Cambrian Patrol event.
Our Reserve Battalion,
4 MERCIAN, have also had a
busy and varied year; very much reflected later in this journal. They have supported the regular element on operations and deployments, and most recently mobilised 130 Reserves as part of Op RESCRIPT. This was after a highly effective and impressive live firing tactical training camp which, through much hard work and determination, remained in the programme against the pressure of lockdown; culminating in a company live fire dawn attack. The battalion’s sporting prowess was maintained, and they also achieved a silver medal in the Cambrian Patrol competition.
Recruiting continues to see a slight upward curve, and for the first time in many years we are
seeing gains to trained strength in both the regular and reserve elements. This is down to a lot of hard work by the whole team to focus on retention, as well as getting the right number of recruits into the training engine. We are also continuing to recruit high quality OCdts from RMAS. I would like to thank all of our soldiers and officers at the training establishments for their continued commitment to ensuring that high quality recruits continue to flow into the regiment. Your efforts are vital in maintaining our fighting power.
My final observation would be the strength and collegiate approach we have
generated in the King’s Division – the Division itself is going from strength to strength and we are now the first port of call for many recruits, both soldiers and officers. This relationship will only strengthen and benefit us as the Mercian Regiment. I would encourage all to seek opportunity and variety across the Division and between our Battalions, noting that there are often more opportunities available than those which present close to home.
Last year in my foreword I mentioned about ‘going again’ and everyone has achieved this in spades. The Regiment’s reputation remains high. We are a Regiment that can be relied on to get the job done without fuss or bother. 2021 will bring a fresh set of challenges, not least those of operations; and I have every confidence that you will again demonstrate core MERCIAN qualities in delivering exceptional results.
Please accept my sincere thanks and deep respect for all that you continue to achieve – STAND FIRM, STRIKE HARD.
Foreword
Major General Ian Cave CB Colonel of the Regiment
THE MERCIAN EAGLE 3