Page 39 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

Sports, Adventure Training & Messes
Parachuting
WO2 Sumner & CSgt Lord
Having scoped the level of interest from across the Battalion, 1 MERCIAN managed to secure 3 weeks of parachuting courses in Netheravon on return from post-tour leave. 42 soldiers from across every Company were loaded onto the Basic Parachuting Course, which consisted of a day and a half of ground training (which to the novice does not appear to be very long!!) then, weather permitting, jumping for the remainder of the week.
With the instructor’s words of ‘Once you leave the aircraft, you have 100% chance of hitting the floor; how you hit
it is the key...’ ringing in our ears, the troops underwent various lessons on technique when leaving the aircraft as well as different coping mechanisms for those not entirely confident with jumping out of an aircraft onto Salisbury Plain, which is entirely understandable. Mental resilience and an open mind are both required by all attendees.
Sgt Carroll of B (Malta) Company attended the basic course and enjoyed it so much he completed the intermediate course the following week. During the intermediate course he gained his parachute packing
qualification; an easy qualification to gain having packed Lt Fossey’s webbing for him for the last 15 months!
Private Sanders from B (Malta) Coy had completed 3 jumps and the basic course prior to deploying on Op CABRIT and since mid-October he has now completed his AFF (Advance Free Fall) qualification. He
is currently on attachment to Netheravon helping other members of the Army
Mercian basic parachuting
undertake this most adventurous of training. While hopefully those that attended will
not all be cutting around Battalion calling everyone ‘hats’ now, 1 MERCIAN have a proven route for getting our people on these courses and will continue to provide the opportunity for those soldiers wishing to throw themselves out of a perfectly good aeroplane for the foreseeable future.
MTB Team
Maj Kelly Wilson
Several keen mountain bikers from
1 MERCIAN have been enjoying time on two wheels recently, with Cpl Dave Cox and Cpl Dean Masters representing both the Mercian and Infantry teams in the British National Enduro Series as well
as the Welsh Enduro Races. These are races where individuals ride in between stages (generally uphill!) and then race down the hill under timed conditions; over boulders, drops, jumps and rooty forests. Due to COVID many races were cancelled this season and there has been limited opportunity to get out on
to the tracks to practice. However, since restrictions have eased, the Battalion has taken delivery of several new full suspension mountain bikes to allow
any soldier or officer to give riding a
go, even if they don’t own their own bike. This has been further bolstered
by the purchase of membership to a chain of mountain bike parks, one of which, in Tidworth, is only 3 miles from the Battalion’s barracks. As well as
Cpl Masters (A Company) Tweedlove race in Glentress, Scotland
Tidworth, the passes allow riders the opportunity to ride at Windhill Bike Park, home of some very impressive pro-line jumps which resemble the early stages of ancient Egyptian pyramids! Several soldiers have joined in and have really pushed themselves out of their comfort zones riding down steep tracks, wooden drops, and jumps.
Mountain biking is a great sport to get into and open to all, allowing soldiers to get out in the fresh air, get some good phys in and clear the mind. 1 MERCIAN team riders are already looking at next season’s fixtures and planning training days to the Forest of Dean, and Dyfi
in Wales as well as bike maintenance and instructor courses. Battalion riders, along with Army Downhill Mountain
Cpl Cox (B Company) drops in
Bike Team members Maj Kelly Wilson and LCpl Tom Nisbet, can be found most Wednesday afternoons at one of the bike parks; just follow the cries of “Whoop!” and “Send it!!” and come and join in!
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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