New Recruits Diary Week 5

Dirty dhoby and open lockers = TWOSOME PAIN

Monday morning saw a rude awakening for the troop... “Front Support... PLACE!” yelled Colour Sgt Basford as the troop wondered what they had done wrong now. It emerged that several of the troop had more than 1 days dirty washing in their buckets and some had left their lockers open when out of the accommodation. The punishment was an extra night in the field which would be added to the start of Exercise Twosome. We hastily packed our bergans and prepared, somewhat apprehensively, to spend a week in the field at Longmoor.

Here, everything we learnt on Exercise First Step was to be put into practice. The first night saw the teaching of the wet and dry routine, which involved the troop immersing themselves in ‘the lake’ and then changing into dry clothes before going to sleep. However, when your sentry post is at 3am, you must change back into the wet clothes... in total darkness.

The morning saw our first kit muster in the field... Once again we let ourselves down on small details and half the troop who forgot to clean their boots were directed subtly by Sgt Baldwin into ‘the lake’. Troop spirit began to wane at the thought of another four days of standing in a lake and sleeping outside. A wake up call was given to the troop by the training team after the inspection in the form of ‘light exercise’ - (read between the lines on that one !). Smiles soon followed however, as the troop realised the high standards required of us and we began to look out for each other more. We were beginning to hate the field with the lack of sleep, wet, cold conditions and were actually missing HMS NELSON FOOD!

After lectures about why things are seen, the troop was moved into their harbour position for the night. Everything was going fine until the position came under fire from the training team, simulating a crash move. Panic ensued and only half the troop made it to the ERV (Emergency Rendezvous), many without parts of their kit, some without even their weapons and boots. After we returned to the position, no-one slept, expecting the same thing to happen again... of course... it didn’t!

Wednesday, and there was a marked improvement in our performance with lectures on camouflage and concealment. Few of the troop ever imagined at the audition that they would have to dress up as a bush for a week! Later that night, a lecture was given on how to recognise things in the dark. Musn Singleton should be mentioned for her performances as Troop Commander and troop spirit rose as we began to get to grips with living in the field environment.

Thursday was a good day for the troop. The sun shone and confidence grew. Many of us passed our weapons handling test and a visit from the PDM, Lt Col Waterer, and Director of Music Training, Major Watson lifted spirits. We were taught how to stalk - which involves advancing on the enemy without being seen - the comedy value of the different movements cannot be underestimated. Musn Harwood particularly enjoyed Sgt Higgins’ demonstration of the leopard crawl, whilst the class watched in amazement as Bugler Boardman sped across the field on his belly... rumour has it he has used the movement to his advantage before.

The evening saw us put into practice our stalking techniques. Fully armed up, half of us had to hide and advance towards the enemy without being seen. The remainder had to spot us using the observation techniques taught to us. Particular mention must go to Musn Beasley who ‘pinged’ Musn Barley floundering in a bramble bush - much to the training team’s amusement.

We returned to our harbour position on a high after Captain Cunningham told us he was happy with our performance and efforts. Morale rose further when a huge sack of mail was produced by CSgt Basford. As our last night began, there was a sense of pride in what we had achieved and the night passed without interruption. On Friday morning Musn Dolby learnt the importance of field hygiene the hard way! What he did can’t really be written in a respectable publication such as this, but needless to say, he won’t leave his ‘waste products’ in a harbour position again!

There followed a battle of the sexes contest to see who could take down the two training team tents the fastest. Obviously the males won, but were picked up by the referee as the packed tent was not loaded onto the truck. The forfeit for this oversight? ... yep ... how did you guess? ... THE LAKE!

The sense of relief as we boarded the bus for the base cannot be explained. We had made it - a week in the field, living on our initiative, pussers ration packs, our nerves and a good dose of humour.

Few of us will ever take our beds for granted again! Saturday saw rounds and Bugler Johnson learnt that in future it is best to empty the forest from your bergen before Sgt Smith does rounds. Drill and PT followed and one of the toughest weeks we have had yet, came to an end. Reflecting on the week, it is a general feeling that we hated nearly every minute of it! The troop is now looking forwards to the adventure training week in Jersey, and the half way point of basic training. Only Two Weeks till long weekend .... HURRAH!!

Musn M Walker