Page 91 - Cavalry Regiment

Upon returning from Easter leave 2019 the Training Wing has overseen the first of several changes within the department with Captain (Simo) Simpson moving upstairs to the RCMO role, we wish him the best of luck. We welcomed the newly promoted Captain ‘Dinger’ Bell from RSM. The noticeable change was a quickly tidied and cleaned office to within an OCD standard. All pictures were squared and dressed correctly, as you would expect from the former RSM. The Training Wing Warrant Officer con- tinued to be filled by WO2 ’Coxy’ Cox ensuring some continuity. He has had several operations this year and you will likely hear him before you see him due to his moving metal parts!
In April, at very short notice, SSgt ‘Arnie’ Broughton was deployed to Bovington to help with an urgent driver training gap. He came back to regimental duty in July for a short period and then promptly packed his bags for the official start of a permanent posting to the Driving & Mechanical (D&M) school, Bovington, in September. His array of chocolates and biscuits will be sadly missed unlike his human cricket noises from the RDMI office. His all-round experience has been an asset and we wish him the best of luck. Another new edition was Regimental Gunnery Staff Sargent (RGSS), SSgt ‘Thomo’ Thomson moving across from A Squadron. He has adapted well and currently holds the record for most ranges booked and cancelled within a calendar year. We say goodbye to WO2 ‘Wingers’ Martin as he promoted and moved onto assume the role of A Squadron SSM. We wish him and what’s left of his hair good luck and we have Wayne Rooney’s hair stylist on stand-by.
Sgt ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson completed a week of handover/ takeover with Sgt ‘Russ’ Abbott in June before informing us he was going straight onto three months paternity leave. We then did not see him until the end of September looking refreshed, tanned and glasses free. Apparently, it was just the break he needed and has now finally settled back in to working full time (ish!). The final piece of the jigsaw was SSgt (RAC 2019 Triathlon Champion) Costello, he arrived to fill the Regimental Driving and Mechanical Instructor (RDMI) vacant post early in September. He has added instant moral to the department, with his fine threads from his Jim Royale style wardrobe and sock collection, and at the time of writing, he continues to get dressed in the dark.
As the year ends, the Regiment continues preparation for the 2020 deployment to Poland and Mali. The workload and numer- ous courses needed to get the Regiment out of the door continues. A reflection on the year shows we have conducted via the RDMI - Panther driver and commander courses / Jackal driver and com- mander/ GS MOD 1 Landrover and RODET courses, both inter- nal and external. He continues to deliver on all fronts constantly adapting to what is thrown at him.
The RGSS had been involved in a variety of different range pack- ages including Squadron and Regimental range packages. The foundation platform weapons training. These have covered all weapon systems both mounted and dismounted from grenade all the way up to heavy machine gun level. He must be commended for staying buoyant above the constant changing of range pack- ages and cancellations in what has been a very challenging period.
All the while, Sgt Hutchinson has constantly been pushing out various external courses in preparation for the upcoming deploy- ments. As well as conducting career course pre-courses and the all-important foundation signals training. He has ensured the Regiment completed the tactical communications upgrade with the keen assistance of Command Troop. Another great effort within the team.
Whilst the regiment awaits the incoming attachments, we con- tinue to prepare a myriad of mission specific courses on top of the normal churn of mandatory courses. Although frustrating at times, the sheer volume of courses that have been produced this year - both internal and external, continue to show that there is a hardworking ethos in the Training Wing delivered by the dedi- cated training team.
In all, another extremely busy year, however, the Training Wing always strives to deliver all training whatever the need and will continue to deliver on all fronts. We look forward to next year and various personalities from the Wing will deploy out on to Poland and Mali. We wish them well which ever they do.
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The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Motor Transport Department
Yet another year has passed, and MT Troop continues to tick over in a pleasant and hard-working environment. 2019 has had many changes in the Department. The Troop bids a farewell to WO2 Pennicot (MTWO), MT wish him the best of luck in his new post as the Training Warrant Officer at the Scottish Northern Irish Yeomanry. The Department welcomes newly promoted WO2 Allen to MT to take over MTWO. Sadly, we say Goodbye to Tpr Mooney who leaves the Army to try his luck in Civvy Street. Congratulations to Sgt Lillico on promotion to SSgt and good luck as HQ Sqn SQMS. Welcome Sgt (OCD) Coultard as the new MT Tp Sgt.
Upon looking back, it is hard to imagine where 2019 has gone. It always seems that when you are busy you seem to lose track of time, and this year is no exception. Motor Transport Troop has had personnel involved in everything the Regiment has participated in and judging by the contents of the journal we have had an “above average” year. The additional task of man- aging the transport plan for the Squadron held at readiness to support UK Operations, proved its worth as the Regiment
deployed twice, to Whaley Bridge and more locally to protect communities flood around Fishwick. The regular job of sup- plying drivers and courses to meet the Regimental needs has continued at pace. With 2020 holding two deployment the pace of life is unlikely to change.
As the year ends the department continues to support both Poland and Mali deployments as they navigate pre-deploy- ment training and we will be sending personnel to support both operations. Praise goes to Cpl (Mighty Mike) Rutherford, a stalwart of the department who has run driver training for the specific platforms required in both theatres. We look forward to the return of Cpl Rai to the department after his 3-month isolation break in Nepal. We thank all our loyal members, par- ticularly LCpl Holland who continues enthusiastically to take care of the more mundane bookings of the Regiments white fleet. We congratulate him and his partner Nicola on the birth of their son Harry who was born on the May.
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Training Wing
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