The spirits were high after our passing out parade on 1st December, and a relaxing
long weekend at home. The general feeling of the troop was one of pride, but
we soon began to realise that this was just the beginning, and there was still
a lot more work to do, now that we were moving into Training Company. Before
we could get into the true RMSM routine we still had some work to do. The 3
weeks leading up to Christmas would be spent doing our FA2s Course and Sea Survival/Firefighting.
However, we did manage to get a few days of music practice in before this began.
Dec 11-17.
We spent most of this week at HMS Excellent on a first aid course. The coach
left at 0730hrs, which gave us a few minutes on arrival at Excellent before
the instruction began. There was a lot of theory work to cover and be tested
on before we could progress onto our final practical exam.
Unfortunately there were a couple of people who didn't get a high enough mark
in the theory paper to progress onto the practical. The rest of us had a pretty
nerve-racking time, trying to run through all the possible scenarios we could
encounter in the test. I enjoyed the experience of the course, and found it
very beneficial.
Dec 18-22.
We began the week with some music practice, before travelling to HMS Phoenix
to do a sea survival course and firefighting course. During a powerpoint presentation
in the background information on sea survival 'Clockwork' was spotted asleep,
and was made to stand at the back by the CPO running the course. After a short
break we got ready for our leap of faith into the icy water in the lake. We
then had the test of swimming across the lake to a pre-inflated liferaft. Some
of the instruction team were in a speedboat trying to simulate the current in
the sea, and we got rather wet!
When we got back to land, we had a nice hot shower with ice cold water, and
went for food, before starting our firefighting course.
The highlight for some people was using the hose and getting very wet and cold
in the process - or maybe it was getting back into some warm, dry clothes at
the end of the day.
It was great to go home on 22nd December because the thought that all 'Basics'
were behind us was a very comforting feeling.
After the Christmas break, we came back on 8th January, and were now officially
part of the 'Training Company'. We could finally start working on music - the
main reason for joining the RM Band Service.
Musn Boyes was informed that he would be going on draft to a band at Easter
- after he does his M2 Course, so we were all very pleased for him.
It didn't take the troop long to settle down into the new routine.
I did my first gig for RMSM at St Mary's Church on 8th Feb, where we performed
Philip Sparks Dance Movements, a great challenge for the band. It was great
to wear the ceremonial uniform - it gave me such a sense of pride and I began
to really look forward to my career in the Band Service.
The week of the 12th Feb was spent working with Emer (Emer McParland - professor
of singing) for the MFM which took place on 15-17. Before I joined up I had
not really done any singing, but I really enjoyed the experience - especially
as it was my first concert in the Royal Albert Hall.
I had been fortunate enough to get hold of a couple of tickets for the opening
night - my parents came down and they were thrilled.
Following MFM we had a few days at work before going home for some leave - a
great opportunity to relax and catch up with family and friends who have been
following my career with great interest and have been such a great support.
It is nearly time for the Section Commanders Course, so along with a few others,
I have forwarded my request for a place.
The next big event is the Cassel prize, and the first round is this week - on
Thursday and Friday and I am very much looking forward to performing as a soloist
again. The next round of the competition is in a couple of weeks, so if I am
successful in this round, there is plenty of time to make any alterations to
the performance.
Musn Button