Page 16 - Mercian Eagle 2014

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but now that I had completed the cadre I knew exactly what I was meant to be doing.
EXERCISE IRON TRIANGLE was a very long month, and the exercise wasn’t really aimed at us. Despite this it was an excellent opportunity for me to start rehearsing some of my new responsibilities. I was a guard commander, I wrote stag lists and I had to post Pte soldiers on guard. I felt excited to start fulfilling the role of being a commander acting as security for the camp.
Early in the New Year the Company deployed on EXERCISE SNOWY EAGLE. This was a very challenging exercise in adverse weather conditions. I taught two lessons at the start of the exercise; I felt confidant teaching the ‘Judging Distance’ lesson as I had been taught on the cadre how to deliver Battle Lessons and I felt confidant teaching a lesson on the Night Vision Goggle Sight, as I had gained a lot
of experience using it in Afghanistan. This exercise really tested me as a leader as I was required to step up and act as a section commander. I was tested on my problem solving abilities on the command tasks and
I was tested on my leadership and man management skills on the long range patrol. The weather was freezing and hail stones were falling. I knew it was going to be a real challenge to keep the men motivated so I made sure we stopped after every check point, to boil up a hot
brew. I felt a real sense
of achievement at the
end of the exercise,
I had taken it very
seriously and as a result
my section passed the
navigation exercise
when other sections
failed.
I went to Kenya in February and March as part of the Permanent Range Team running the ranges for the 2nd Bn Royal Gurkha Rifles who were out there on
Permanent Range Team in Kenya
exercise. Acting as safety staff for another Bn was really interesting and I learnt a lot from watching how they operate. Being safety staff on the Combined Arms Live
Trainer course so that I knew how to use the console. It felt good that I’m now an even more valuable asset to my Company due to the training I can deliver. I was also sent on an education course, showing that the Army are looking after my welfare.
The most recent activity I’ve been on
is the Basic Freefall Parachute Course in Netheravon. This is one of the activities
I’ve always wanted to do and I asked
the Company 2ic to load me onto the course. Adventurous Training is one of
the best activities in the Army and one of the main reasons I stay so motivated. As soon as the plane took off I would get a rush knowing that I was soon going to be jumping. When the door opens and I drag myself towards the opening I get a rush of excitement, not as good as being on Ops but it’s a close second. I get in the door
and I have to try and silence the voice in my head shouting: ‘Don’t jump! Don’t jump!’ and listen to the voice in my head saying: ‘line up your hips, point your toes and get
a good push off.’ Like being on Ops you’ve got to be able to overcome the voice telling you that you’re in trouble and listen to the voice telling you how to carry out your drills. I really enjoyed skydiving and I would love to do it again as soon as possible.
We’ve had a busy and varied year in
B Company. I was expecting the year
to be a bit of a disappointment after the excitement of being on the Operational cycle, but the year far exceeded my expectations. We still got opportunities
to do some real soldiering in Caerwent, France and EXERCISE SNOWY EAGLE. I achieved a professional goal of promoting to LCpl, and I conducted some personal development through education and adventurous training. I’d really like to deploy on Operations again but for the moment I’m very content with the amount that the Army has to offer me.
It was brilliant to watch and a great learning experience as well
Firing Exercise was
an amazing experience, watching all the different assets a Rifle Company can call on. The attack started with 105mm artillery then the mortars came in followed by the snipers and machine guns before the riflemen finally stormed the trenches with grenades
and bayonets. It was brilliant to watch and a great learning experience as well.
After this the army invested some training in me. I went on a Dismount Close Combat
Raising money for the Mercian Benevolence Fund
THE MERCIAN EAGLE