New Recruits Diary Week 11

Having been gassed at the end of week 10 we thought things could only get better, however, the majority of week 11 had us using our brains a little more than we were used to.

Mon 13 Nov.

The week started off with a lot of physical training coming up with ideas for our IMF pass out. The ideas were good but putting them into practice was a lot harder as the 24 near frozen bodies of the troop found it difficult to move in the cold early hours of the morning. The rest of the day consisted of more lectures. The chaplain found it hard keeping us awake during the chaplaincy period at the end of the day.

Tue 14 Nov.

Today there was a 5-mile run in store for us as Colour Sergeant Fulthorpe double marched the troop along Southsea seafront. This was enjoyed by all and particularly when we once again found ourselves near water. The troop and team were overcome with the usual urge to get wet and we duly followed CSgt Fulthorpe into the sea in our PT kit, much to the amusement of the locals. On the way back, and being very proud of who and what we are, we decided to give the public an impromptu display of some of our IMF movements… in the middle of Southsea Shopping Precinct! We kept our bodies tense as Colour Sergeant Fulthorpe gave the command “front support place!” Well its all good practice for the IMF Pass out in front of our family and friends.

Wed 15 Nov.

The day began with an inspection by the Corps Drum Major, Warrant Officer First Class AD Bridges, which took an hour and a half! This was the first real time the troop had to stand still for such a long time and we all realised just how tough our jobs will be in the future when we are part of a band on parade. We then had a signals test followed by a military knowledge test. To finish of the day we had… yet another practice for the IMF pass out.

Thu 16 Nov

The Troop were grateful for an extra administration period first thing on Thursday morning. The time was spent spit and polishing our shoes and cleaning our white belts and brasses, ensuring we will look our best for the Pass out parade on December 1st. More brain power was required as the troop sat a map reading test later that day, however, many of the troop found it hard to guess the right grid reference on the multiple choice exam - only 2 people passed - resits all round! A drill period followed and we all drowned our sorrows, and ourselves, in the swimming period at the end of the day.

Fri 17 Nov

We moved up onto Kingsley Common for revision for Exercise Baptist Run our final exercise or TesEx (Test Exercise). The revision consisted of, map reading, target indication and judging distance, all skills we would need to use in the TesEx. After a hard days work the training team lightened the mood with a ‘Chat up line’ competition. Congratulations go to Musns Walker and Bailey for coming up the chaddest chat up lines in the world.

Musn Naylor