Page 49 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

3 Platoon
Since arriving at 2 MERCIAN in May 2021 having completed the Platoon Commanders Battle Course, I have been thrown in at the deep end with A (Grenadier) Coy. During
the early stages of the summer our main focus was pre deployment training for Op TORAL 13. This included making sure that the Platoon had the relevant qualifications for the tour, such as foxhound drivers and commanders, and conducting exercises and range packages. After summer leave the focus of the Bn switched as the tour was turned off due to the situation in Afghanistan. The Bn is now focussed on conducting a BCS syllabus and improving the lived experience of the officers and soldiers within the Bn, by organising AT trips and battlefield studies. This has been coupled with a growing number of trawls allowing the Coy to deploy on numerous tasks, such as Op ESCALIN, Ex ASKARI STORM, Ex KHANJAR OMAN and a deployment to POLAND. My first 6 months in Bn have been incredibly varied and exciting, exactly what I had hoped for when applying for a transfer to The MERCIAN Regiment.
One of the best things we do as Platoon Commanders is run LFTT ranges. For
two weeks in July/August this year, the
Bn deployed to Warcop for an LFTT training package. This was immediately made difficult by COVID-19, with many key individuals with range qualifications having to isolate, most of the ranges fell
to myself and Lt Park to RCO, with the support of the SNCO’s within the Coy and across the wider Bn. I was instantly able
to use my training to plan and deliver a Coy live firing package, from ACMT’s up to Platoon attacks. This was a steep learning curve, luckily, I was supported by my fellow platoon commanders and SNCO’s. These
weeks away from Weeton also provided me with the opportunity to get to know my platoon slightly better, a great opportunity for any new platoon commander.
After some well earnt summer leave, during which the evacuation of Afghanistan and Op PITTING took place, I was told that I would be deploying to Kenya on Ex ASKARI STORM as an observer mentor (OM). The job of an OM involves attaching yourself
to a Platoon or Company for any large actions and defensive lanes to feedback any points that you have observed for the validation of the battlegroup and company after action reviews. This was an excellent opportunity to travel to another country
and experience a large-scale battle group exercise. BATUK is one of the few places
in the world in which a battlegroup can be tested with all its attachments, including
engineer support and artillery. It was really put into light just how valuable attachments and DRAGON Coy can be in a Battlegroup, or even Company scenario. Furthermore, working as an OM allowed me to gain an invaluable insight into the organisation and conduct of an overseas ex at battlegroup and brigade level, an excellent insight
as I look to continue my young officer education and development. I look forward to deploying back to Kenya early next year to be a part of Task Force Hannibal, and the permanent range team.
I have been amazed and impressed by the level of skill, knowledge of motivation at all levels within my platoon. Despite future amalgamations, pride within the 2nd Battalion The MERCIAN Regiment still lives on, and I look forward to what the next 6 months has to offer.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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