Page 10 - Falcon Issue 1 2024

10
OFFICERS’ MESS
In 2023, 1 RANGER answered the age- old question; “How many Captains and Majors does it take to procure
a Caricature”, the answer for those wondering is seven. After months
of sketches, re-drafts, handovers and numerous questionnaires, the Officers Mess was proud to be able to unveil a new addition to the wall of history commemorating our first year as a RANGER Bn. Separate from the character assassination debates surrounding the caricature, the reinvigorated mess FOE was
in full flow. A newly implemented Commanding Officers Lunch was utilised as a rare opportunity to see the QM(T) out of his natural habitat of a hanger, whilst the monthly ‘happy hours’ continued to be enjoyed by all, showcasing multitudes of themes and a seemingly bottomless fancy dress box in the Welfare Office.
The first since pre-COVID, the Intelligence Officer planned and executed a very well received family’s day and dinner night, offering him the opportunity to create arguably the most comprehensive risk assessment seen in years; allowing all the chance to miss targets from 25 meters on the pistol range whilst the RMO looked on anxiously.
The RAO continued his pretence
of being popular, bringing two full tables of guests to both the Summer “Orient Express” themed train-ride- extravaganza ball, and subsequently the black-tie contemporary winter ball. The highlight of the summer
ball shared by all was the normally stern-faced Adjutant breakdancing seemingly to a different song everyone else could hear in the middle of the ball room.
In January, 1 RANGER LE officers conducted an educational, cohort cohesion and mental wellness day with a visit to the Co Antrim towns of Bushmills and Ballymoney. The
aim of the visit was to enhance the
1 RANGER LE unity by providing an opportunity to engage as a cohort outside of the working environment. It also improved the understanding of the Northern Ireland motorcycle road racing culture. The impact of death within the sport can be related to
the loss of service personnel. A visit was conducted to the memorial of Sgt Robert Quigg who was awarded a VC for his actions at the battle of the Somme. This was followed by a visit to the Dunlop memorial gardens in Ballymoney, a quiet area of reflection for three members of the same family
who have lost their lives to motorcycle racing. No visit to Ballymoney would be complete without a visit to the legendary Joey’s Bar, which is a living memorial to the current Isle of Man TT record winner holder. At the bar the team had the chance to engage with Donna McLean the daughter of Joey Dunlop and discuss and relate to the impact of loss. The opportunity was also used to sample some Irish whiskey at the Bushmills Distillery, to enhance the Officers mess whisky collection!
The highlight of the summer
ball was the normally stern-faced Adjutant breakdancing
Hosting HRH
WARRANT OFFICERS’ & SGTS’ MESS
A busy year for the Engine Room (WOs’
& SGTs’ Mess) with deployments in WA, courses to upskill our people and support
to various task lines across ASOB. The first social event for the mess was Burns night,
an opportunity for us to invite the partners of our mess members and Officers, to
enjoy the life and works of Robert Burns.
It was the first mess function for the new Commanding Officer, Lt Col Colquhoun
MBE to see his SNCOs in a social setting, the mess was well behaved having an adult in
the room. A great night was had by all, and the guests enjoyed some fantastic renditions of Burns poetry from the Cronies, led by WO2 Rankin (CSM A) as Chief Cronie. This was also a chance to say farewell to current and ex members of our mess; CSgt Gibb on SSCP posting, CSgt McGinley, Maj Corkill MBE and Maj McDougall on their transition to civilian life post 24+ years in the SCOTS, Ranger Regiment. The RSM also hosted a BBQ for the Warrant Officers in his garden which meant a cooking lesson from the UCM to ensure that everything was cooked to perfection and no food poisoning breakouts happened post BBQ.
The Battalion hosted HRH The Princess Royal, who had agreed to continue as our Royal Colonel. It was an opportunity to
show The Princess Royal the capability and where we are in our journey as part of the Ranger Regiment. The day was finished off with a lunch in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess along with the families of our SP and finally a joint Officers’ and Sgts’ Mess photograph.
We had our summer ‘messtival’ organised by WO2 McCrae (CSM C). The dress code seemed to get lost in translation, with mess members in a mix of Hawaiian theme and something out of T-in the park. It was a low- key event due to ROTO 10 and movements of SNCOs, with Ex APOLLO SABRE and other commitments. It was an enjoyable event and an opportunity for the mess to get together in a social environment, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy Battalion.
After a well needed few weeks’ summer leave, we were back behind our workstations and ensuring that everything was in order around the Battalion. With summer a distant memory and with the normal resumption
of cold, dark, and rainy nights setting in. The focus turned to silly season and the PMC planning our Christmas function. As well as our mess theme nights once a month; post mess meetings, to ensure we as a mess get together as much as possible without impacting on important family time. We also had a 1 Ranger boxer fight in the SCOTS boxing event (which he won) and it was a great chance for some
of our mess members to catch up with our friends from across the SCOTS.
The PMC and RSM had a lot of planning and preparation to deliver on key events in the calendar. Redesignation Day is a day of reflection, celebration and looking forward to what we can achieve and the exciting times ahead as a unit. The day went by
with no issues, considering there was an all-ranks football match. The big change
this year was the introduction of the Doko challenge to embrace and understand the challenge Gurkhas face in order to join the British Army, this is due 1 RANGER having a Gurkha company being part of us from Jan 24. The day was finished off with a family event and the Officers’ and Warrant Officers’ Dinner Night. It was a fitting end to a busy and enjoyable year for our mess members. We look forward to the coming year and the challenges it brings, but importantly, to making new memories that will stay with us for the remainder of our lives.
Celebrating Burns Night