New Recruits Diary Week 7

Mon 16 Oct:

Our detail was 07:15 at the armoury to draw our weapons, 5.56mm rifles and then after picking up a bag ration, 'or bog rot', we boarded the coach looking like the guy from the movie, 'The Rocketeer' with our DPM rocket pouches secured to our backs. At Longmoor ranges we began with an introduction to firing using the Electronic training range (ETR) which is just like a computer game but must be taken seriously. We then moved to the actual ranges where we were issued live rounds for the first time. All of our weapons had to be zeroed so that the shot falls where you have aimed. We were firing live rounds with the potential to kill for the rest of the afternoon trying to achieve a good zeroing. We also sat for quite a while contemplating the safety, not of firing the weapon but of consumption of the bog rots.

Tue 17 Oct:

Back at Longmoor we continued the zeroing process. During the morning, lack of safety from some caused Sgt Baldwin's hair to singe as his temper roared and the wrath of his green beret came down upon us. The 'encouragement' was a 600m sprint down the range and then some push ups, it could have been worse. Once we were zeroed, we moved to more of a fun shoot, firing from 100m, 200m and 500m in different positions. Back in the accommodation, we were still very relaxed after Jersey, despite being reminded repeatedly that it was all over. Despite the warnings, when Sgt Smith burst through the door of our room at 21:30 I had a chocolate bar on my bed, others were sprawled across their beds and failed to bring the room up to attention. This combined with a small amount of dirty dhobi resulted in 2 hours of running around like headless chickens. The first detail was a locker inspection at 22:15 in full Drill Rig. With the troop spread around the accommodation, engaged in various activities and no rig previously prepared, we only just made it. Next was Training Rig with Bergens fully packed for the field, which again was just achievable. After tearing our lockers apart in order to pack Bergens, the next detail was full locker inspection in IMF rig at 23:15. Fortunately, that was the end, and the males had a meeting to make sure we were all fully clicked back into military mode. We finally got to bed at about 01:00

Wed 18 Oct:

The aim of the week was for the whole troop to pass their APWT, Annual Personal Weapons Test. We began in the morning, you must hit 36 targets with 60 rounds or 45 to achieve marksman. Musn McKinnen took out 47 straight away and won best shot of the troop. A number of others passed first time and by the end of the day, half the troop had passed without any lapses in safety. Once back at Nelson, we were extra careful in being tidy, not wanting to repeat Tuesday.

Thur 19 Oct:

We continued trying to pass the APWT and at the end of the day only 6 people needed to pass, including myself having failed a few times. Friday would be our last chance. Fri 20 Oct: Desperate to pass our APWT, we charged our 3 magazines and struggled not to carry out the drills before we were told, as it was beginning to feel as if we had been programmed. After 720 rounds and 12 attempts in total I finally heard the words Richardson 36. The final 2 passed the attempt after me. We returned to Nelson at lunchtime and after a quick weapon inspection we had some relaxed 5 a side football in the gym with Sgt Smith, which everyone appreciated. This was also an opportunity to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Musn Bailey who was celebrating her 21st.

Sat 21 Oct:

We ended the week off with 5 straight periods of drill. Many of the males received extra parade for having their hair too long through the well known words of Sgt Smith "Flank". We worked through the first few sessions and then sat in the elements room to watch the pass out parade of the year before on video. It was very good but we are all determined to make ours even better. We all went out on the evening celebrating Musn Baileys 21st with a serious thirst. Firing on the range was harder than I thought and although the week went very well it could have quite easily gone wrong but good safety kept us all from harm and resulted in an enjoyable week for troop 1/00. Not that I'm looking forward to the next APWT at all.

Musn Richardson