Monday
This was the day where all the skills that we have been taught were going to
be put to the test Exercise Baptist Run! We would be getting tested on every
facet of our basic training and be getting points for everything, even our inspections.
0700 and the first thing we had to do was lay a field kit muster and our appearance
had to be spot on to collect maximum points.
The next stance was NBC drills, at which myself, Musicians Cleverly and Fothergill
dropped half a point for dropping our glove!
Next was the signals phase where we were pitted against a 349 radio in pieces
and it was our task to fit it together into working order.
Finally we were on our way to the great outdoors for the last time in basic
training. The coach dropped us off at the exercise start area but Musician Linden
decided to stay on the coach when it drove off because when she emptied the
boot the bus driver didn't realise she was still sitting in the boot door!
The first test in the exercise area was a static map reading stance followed
by an individual night navigation exercise. Everybody made it to the end of
the exercise eventually but don't ask how because we don't even know!
Tuesday
The morning's kit muster inspection began and so that sections 2 & 3 didn't
get cold, waiting for Colour Sergeant Basford to inspect us, he sent them for
a nice run to keep them warm, bless him! That seemed to go fine for everybody
with few comments being made during the inspection.
Next test was target indication; this was a bit more tense as everybody was
relying on each other as the whole troop had to get it right. The last stance
of the day was camouflage and concealment and almost everybody finished the
stance soaked through. Our task was to camouflage ourselves in a swamped field
and once done remain there whilst the training team tried to spot us.
Wednesday
The morning was spent cleaning all of the stores that had been used during Baptist
run and when we had completed that the rest of the morning was spent cleaning
our weapons for final inspection.
In the afternoon we had an exercise debrief from Colour Sergeant Basford where
we were told how well we had performed. The pass mark was 60% and everybody
achieved over 70%. Everyone in the troop was very pleased to have achieved the
pass mark.
Our next detail, after the debrief, was to muster in the gym at 1700 for a rehearsal
of our PT Passout display.
Thursday
To start off the day we had rounds, but they were okay, then a period of drill
and PT. In the afternoon there was a BFT (a 1½ mile run) for those people
who didn't pass last time. Everybody in the troop had to pass and if we didn't
there would be a 4 mile run with colour Sergeant Curry. GREAT!
Friday
We had a full inspection prior to our morning of Drill in preparation for our
Passout, once and again everybody did well.
After lunch we returned all of our field kit ready for the next troop and finished
the day with PT Passout rehearsals again
Saturday
An 0900 start today was welcomed by the troop as it gave us a chance of a short
lay in before a VO2 Max test (bleep test) which everybody managed to pass. Well
done Troop! The rest of the day was free to go out shopping and relax.
Sunday
After Church Parade the rest of the day was free and spent on getting all of
the kit that we would need for the following week ready.
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Camoflage...
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...and concealment
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Sight alignment
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War paint!
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And for some...
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...it was all too much
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Not quite relaxing by the pool!
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CSgt Curry assuming the press up position
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Poolside press ups...
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...and tricep dips
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More drill...
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...on a nice sunny morning
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Photographs taken by CSgt Paul Basford
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Musn Dawkins