New Recruits Diary Week Four

This week has seen its highs and lows for the troop with various activities including locker inspections, IMF (Initial Military Fitness), Dunker Drills and various exams.

Monday: After a very relaxing run ashore this weekend the troop really felt at ease with Bugler Boardmans 21st birthday approaching. 07.00 hrs: Dreaded locker and room inspections led by our Drill Sgt, Sgt Smith who leaves no room for error. He started with the girls, who thought they had their lockers weighed off to a tee and then one person was caught out and all hell broke loose. Sgt Smith commenced the 10 second locker rampage which took 10 hours to put together. Then came the lads, which didn't go much better when wet kit was found and Sgt Smith began his rampage once again.

08.00 hrs Drill. Drill was OK but CSgt Basford was not happy about the report from Sgt Smith and came out to the drill square and read out the Dirty Recruit Programme which does not sound good. Some recruits seem very worried about this. Next we had lectures with Sgt Baldwin and Sgt Higgins which was OK.

Tuesday: This was pretty straight forward and was a high.

Wednesday: Wednesday was also a good day with the signals 'Batco' test in which Musn 'Clockwork Soldier' Richardson (5 IQ points off being genius rated) managed a 100% pass mark fortunately the rest of the troop passed also.

IMF: With the IMF part one exam coming up we were pushed harder than usual and Musn Dolby, Musn Naylor and Bug Johnson were singled out for a recommend for speed and agility around the gym.

Thursday: Dunker Drills. Well this was an experience. Many members of the troop were scared out of their wits, including myself. Full credit goes to Musns Parkin, Kedelity, Allen and Bailey who fought the fear and eventually did the Dunker Drills with ease. It doesn't seem that bad until you realise what the hell you are actually doing. It's just not natural to be put in a metal capsule and dunked into water and then try to escape in an orderly fashion. The diving team were very good and really helped us through it. Following the training in the 'Dunk Tank' we had a flight in a Mk4 Seaking Commando Helicopter. A big thank you to the pilot and air crew from 845 Naval Air Squadron for the experience.

Friday: This was a bad day for the troop as we had 3 major tests and it was 'Pay Day'. We started off with a map reading test which everyone passed with ease. Once again Musn 'Clockwork Soldier' Richardson received a 100% pass mark but this time Musn A J Clark also received a 100% pass mark. Well done guys. Then came the Initial Military Fitness Pass Out from table one which was led by PTI Sgt Griffin and marked by PTI Colour Sgt Fulthorpe. The session was good and Sgt Griffin was excellent at making the troop 'well up for it'. Team Games - This was excellent Swedish PT - This also went well with the troop moving as a whole. Sit Ups - This went well with the odd exception and we lost points here. Upper Body - This was good but again the odd exception let the troop down. We finished with sprints which at the end of a phys session is extremely hard but we did quite well. We finished with a 68% pass which I and many others were fairly down about because it was so close to a superior pass (70%) and Sgt Griffin was not pleased either. He told the troop who in particular had let us down but I know for a fact that with our troop spirit we will not hold grudges. We then had our weapons test which some people failed but they will retake again. Then to finish off we were informed that the troop was not to be paid this month. Everyone was a 'smalley bit down' or should I say absolutely devastated. But credit goes to Sgt Storrie (Headquarters Band Service Records Sergeant) who managed to get us an advance of pay. But it was not until after the weekend. "Doh!" The weekend saw Musn Dolby's 18th Birthday which was hoofing. Despite the lack of cash it was a brilliant run ashore.

The troop spirit was at its peak this week and I'm beginning to enjoy it and so are many other people. With exercise Twosome approaching the troop are beginning to prepare in earnest but it will be OK. Let's enjoy it troop!

Bugler Johnson