Page 39 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

LAD
The ethos of “Work Hard, Play Hard” continues to be the LAD’s operating ethos whilst ensuring adaptable ES support to the Battalion. Elements of the LAD have deployed in support of the Battalion’s many taskings within this time. These have spanned the globe and have been as diverse as the countries visited. Countries visited included Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kenya, Slovenia, Belgium, France and Iraq. 1 RIFLES LAD has embodied the title “Adaptable Force” not only conducting its primary role but also stepping up to be observer mentors and even instruct outside of our ES capabilities. LCpl M Price has overseen SF Machine Gun re while Cfn Reynolds was placed as a Gun No3 in Slovenia. The AQMS instructed the Kazaks in vehicle convoy movement and tactical recovery whilst Cpl Hesketh is set to be a CBRN instructor during Op SHADER 3.5. Not content with keeping the Battalion in the ght, 1 RIFLES LAD can also boast an impressive list of sporting achieve- ments over the year. LCpl Morse came rst in the Battalion’s 100m sprint competition, whilst LCpl Dutton and Cfn Reynold have represented the Corps in Swimming and Rugby. Closer to home LCpls D Price and Dutton, along with, Cfn Jenkin represented the Battalion at skiing on Ex FROSTED BLADE. WO2 (AQMS) Stogdon
Quartermasters Department
For the QM’s Dept it has been yet another busy year for all within the department. From the constant issuing of cold weather clothing packs (Eastern Europe deployments) to issuing warm weather clothing packs (middle east deployments) the pace has been relentless within the AF Bde. RQMS(T) WO2 Neil Young has been slowly losing his well-groomed hair with the never ending issuing of equipment around the world. Whilst we lost RQMS(M) WO2 Marriott on promotion to RSM 1 Ri es, WO2 ‘Arthur’ Daly quickly moved into the position and took the reins with ease and gusto - it’s just a shame that he has never ending long tales of his Carp shing days! The 1LO team have truly earned their wages this year and felt the pain of the new A2020 structure, which desperately requires a review. CSjt Steve Hills has taken over as G1098 and his ngers soon caught re issuing well over 1000 serial number items (so far) to SHADER with a value of over £500k, he has truly been thrown in the deep end. With the unit being deployed on Ops for nearly 18 months it has been hard to maintain any form of normality. However it has been good to team up with Capt ‘Big John’ Lindley (QM(T)) again and have the opportunity to share a room with Maj Craig McBurney (3 RIFLES QM) during the handover of the QM SHADER role, between 3rd Bn and 1st Bn. The last time we shared a room was in 1985 at Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion Shorncliffe. What we do nd a pleasure and undoubtfully helpful, is that, wherever we go around the world we can be sure to nd a fellow Ri eman that is willing and able to assist.
Maj Matt Darby QM 1 RIFLES
AGC (SPS) Partnering
Whilst 2015/16 has been a particularly busy period in terms of commitments and manning churn, the 1 and 6 RIFLES Dets have maintained a strong connection throughout. The key to this has been the nurturing of relationships across all ranks within the Det. Creating and developing these relationships has been carried out through the medium of pairing weekends. Twice a year the Dets get together and conduct a training weekend, with both Dets hosting and planning one a piece. In November 2015, 1 RIFLES conducted their pairing weekend which took place under the guise of ‘Exercise SWIFT RESOLUTION’. This saw the combined Dets undertake a convoy move in Land Rovers from Beachley Barracks to Worthy Down Station near Winchester. Upon arrival, the Dets were split in two and each given separate activities. Capt Adcock led one of the groups through a series of Command Tasks which tested both the leadership and abstract thinking of all those involved. Concur- rently, WO2 Harney was considerably warmer as she led the other group through a series of opera- tionally focused JPA serials in the Realistic Working Environment. Each team conducted their respective training until lunch before swopping over. The day was nished with a dinner and awards evening that recognised individual contributions towards pairing which was followed by a nal move back to Beachley the following morning. The weekend was certainly a success and the Detachment is looking forward to hosting the next pairing weekend in 2016.
Capt Murray Marx
THE WEEKEND WAS CERTAINLY A SUCCESS
Unit Welfare Of ce
The Welfare Of ce’s focus over the year has been supporting the families during the Op SHADER deployments to Iraq. The of ce has been assisting in organising events such as children’s parties, family day visits, as well as training and education courses for the families such as paediatric rst aid. The Families’ Welfare Grant has been very useful in facilitating events. However, money alone cannot alleviate the strains of separation; the main effort has always been to bring the families together and build support networks across the community.
More generally there was a very successful wives’ dinner hosted by the Of cers’ Mess, a brilliant production of Dick Whittington arranged by the British Forces Foundation, and two Battalion family days. Within the Youth Club, Will Kay was able to secure £33,000 in funding to purchase a wide range of equipment, and promisingly a number of Ri emen have volunteered to assist him in taking the children on these activities.
There are changes to the welfare team, Capt Owen Mitchell and CSjt Duncan Bell are coming in and CSjt Dave Stanton is leaving the Army after 24 years of service. Captain Andy Kuss, Unit Welfare Of cer
THE RIFLES
FIRST BATTALION 37