Page 42 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

Training
Lt Mileham, OC 5 Platoon
This year has been a particularly busy one for the company, with a full training programme along with the company’s other commitments.
Bloodhound Camp in order to get stuck into some tactical training at section level. They then went through a progression of training including day and night fireteam attacks, a night stalk, using fieldcraft
and observation techniques taught by the snipers of Dragon Company, and culminating in a patrol exercise. On the patrol exercise the sections practiced their first aid; treating the casualties
of a serious incident, conducted reconnaissance on an enemy position
One of the highlights for the company was a section competition followed by
a bayonet fighting lane. The day started with a two-mile best effort run in full fighting order, ensuring everyone was well warmed up and ready for a stretcher race testing not only physical fitness but will and determination. The final event of the day was the bayonet
lane, requiring
everyone in the
company to unleash
their raw aggression
and rise-up to the
physical challenge.
The lane itself
consisted of charging
down a thigh deep
stream, engaging
dummy targets at
close quarters using
the bayonet. Once
completed the newer members of B (Malta) Company had proven their worth and earned the right to receive a coveted Malta Cross patch.
In June, the company deployed to
before assaulting and evacuating a wounded soldier to the beach. At the end of the exercise the men indulged in a quick dip in the sea before returning to Bloodhound Camp.
The next challenge for the company was a five-day exercise involving vehicle contact drills, raids,
rural attacks, and a company assault onto an abandoned village. This was a prime opportunity to shake out and put the tactics that had been developed
in Bloodhound into practice as well as
Sgt Hallam gives the tactical scenario to LCpl Roughton before he leads
his fire team on a dusk attack
trialling new kit carriage methods in line with our new “Fight Right” policy.
The officers of Malta Company, alongside the busy programme, have been working on their tactical decision making: engaging with and discussing the battalion’s professional development programme. This has led to some good discussions and improved understanding of some of the different tactics that we will be experimenting with on our next exercise, AETOS FURY. Recently we have also been trialling the use of a computer simulation to practice various tactics both in the offensive and defensive role. This wargaming has provided us with a good opportunity to test our tactics as well as some healthy competition between us!
The Company is now looking forward to the new year when we deploy to Kenya, on Ex ASKARI STORM.
This wargaming has provided us with a good opportunity to test our tactics as well as some healthy competition between us!
40
Alma Parade
Pte Boggiano, 4 Pl
Being selected to represent Private Keenan at the Battle of Alma Parade was a great honour. This experience has allowed me to learn more of the Regiment’s history - as well as the importance of the Colours. On the day that the Battalion celebrates Alma Day, the best Private soldier in the Battalion is given the honour of parading the Colours in front of the Battalion.
and used the experience of the rest of the party to teach me the correct movements. The atmosphere within the Colour Party was very relaxed which allowed me to comfortably learn at a pace I was happy with; I never felt out of place.
On the day of the parade, the Colour Party and I started getting ready early in the
Sergeants’ mess to ensure my kit was up to standard and WO2 Pritchard helped me fit the Regimental Sash onto my uniform. We then headed down to the parade square to prep the Colours and begin the march. The original Colour Party marched onto the square before the Alma
citation was read out to the Battalion. This was my queue to march onto the square to receive the Colours as Private Keenan.
The Regimental Colour was then passed on from the Ensign to myself and we then slow marched the Colours through the ranks of the Battalion and off the square.
After the parade the Colour Party and the Officers enjoyed a traditional shot of port before returning the Colours back to the Officers Mess. Once there, we took a few photos and I was hosted on a tour of the Mess. I returned to the Mess to have lunch with the Junior Officers before being invited to the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess for the evening. I had a really good time in both messes, socialising with the senior soldiers and Officers whilst learning more about my Regiment’s history and the significance of the day.
To sum up, the parade was an amazing experience and I feel extremely proud to have been entrusted with carrying the Regimental Colour- an honour which only comes once in a lifetime. It is something I will never forget.
The lead up to
the parade allowed
me to meet the new
Commanding Officer,
Lt Col Grover MBE,
where, along with other
nominated Privates,
I was awarded a
Mercian Coin. I was also
able to speak to the
Regimental Sergeant
Major during rehearsals
and throughout the lead up to the parade. I was part of the colour party and we went through the drill movements for the parade
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I had a really good time in both messes, socialising with the senior soldiers and Officers whilst learning more about my Regiment’s history