Page 22 - RADC 2023

Op GOLDEN ORB
Capt Bruce, LCpl Slater, LCpl Cannon, LCpl Gurung
Op GOLDEN ORB Tidworth Training LCpl Cannon
Prior to official Op GOLDEN ORB training the RADC Contingent conducted a 4-day drill package at Tidworth Garrison to ensure our standards were up to scratch before conducting higher scale drill training.
Day 1 – We marched up to the drill training area where an RLC WO was waiting for us, we assembled into height order where we were then formed into a squad where we kept our places for the coronation. The drill training then commenced, with cobwebs dusted off the RADC. We were off to a great start, conducting basic drill movements
from standard marching to about turns and everything in between.
Day 2 – Day 2 consisted of more drill training; we knew our work on points it was just a case of practicing and perfecting these movements. Splitting into smaller groups critiquing each other striving to be rigid.
Day 3 – 3 days in and morale remained high by this point, though our feet were in clip, but we all persevered through it and allowed positivity and morale to get us through, many brews, biscuits and games were involved to assist us.
Day 4 – The end of the first chapter of ‘Op GO’ was in sight, final bits of practice before we conducted a uniform inspection and a drill sequence in No.1’s in front of the AMS Corps Col. He was enthused with the RADC contingents’ attire and performance.
Mission Specific Training 1: Tidworth LCpl Slater
21st April marked the first day of Mission Specific Training (MST) 1 in Tidworth for everyone. Some members of the contingent had arrived earlier to Lichfield or Tidworth due to travelling long distances (such as Cyprus and Edinburgh) but with the Signal group chat already in full swing with fast-ball time changes and tailor’s appointments, it was all systems go! Everyone got stuck in straight away and rallied together to help one another, whether it was rushing off for No.1 alterations and making sure we had the correctly gendered jackets, practicing long forgotten drill movements or singing along to Happy Birthday for WO1 Beckett’s birthday (and helping her eat the cake of course)!
We were allocated accommodation across three camps: Tidworth, Bulford and Warminster in a mix of 1-4 person rooms and congregated at the Cpls Club in Tidworth
armed with plenty of tea and coffee before our days of drill practice began. After the first day (mainly housekeeping) the real work began, led by WO2 Richards, we started with basil foot drill. Quickly moving onto
rifle drill and as the days went on, we learnt “Drill sequence B” full of rifle arm charges, left and right wheels and present arms ready for AMS Corps Colonel’s approval. I can still hear echos of “go straight, go straight, right wheel... NOW” in my head
After the first days the blisters started making an appearance, but despite this, morale was kept high with RADC members playing games like ‘Heads Up,’ plenty of ‘brew’ brakes and of course an unlimited supply of Haribo! Drill sequence B was led by Maj Smith who had the difficult task of leading, shouting and drill commandments and learning the drill himself, but we passed with flying colours and exceeded the expectations of the inspecting team.
20 RADC BULLETIN 2023
THE CORONATION