Passout Week
This week started off on a high and ended with Troop 1/01 being on top of the world. The first time we rehearsed our drill display in the gym was Monday. The remainder of the day was filled with more drill and PT display rehearsals. By the end of Monday everyone knew the drill display pretty well and there were only a few minor faults to worry about. Unfortunately though the PT display was not going quite as well (don't ask).
Tuesday was pretty much the same; drill all morning and PT all afternoon, then
in the evening we went to the School of Music Bar for a social farewell and
thank you to the Training Team. There were a few laughs to be had, and Marine
Clark is still getting stick for his unusual outfit. The night ended with but
a few of us drinking Port for the first time and then staggering out of the
coffee boat.
Wednesday was our first rehearsal with the band and it made a lot of difference
to us, although there was nothing wrong with Sgt Henderson's boogi box, rehearsing
with the band made it all seem real. Spirits were high and everyone was looking
forward to seeing their familiess as a trained rank.
Thursday was a full dress rehearsal and the drill display very well. The drill
dress rehearsal was followed by PT rehearsals, the display looked as if it was
coming together, at last. There is hope yet! On Thursday evening there was a
mixture of excitement, nerves and anticipation. Most people's family had come
down a day early so a lot of people went out but poor Bugler Lowe and Musn Shaw
had been roped into doing everyone's shoes and so didn't get out till late.
Never mind lads, that's the price you pay for being good eh!
After being told not to drink excessive amounts of alcohol a bunch of nameless
Musns (not Buglers) sensibly went to the pub...
On Friday Sgt Henderson made us eat a full English breakfast, a bottle of lucozade
and a mars bar. When we marched out into the gym we rather ill as we were so
bloated, but as soon as we were through the doors marching to the beat of the
Regimental March of the Royal Marines our stomachs were sucked in and chests
were pushed out in pride. It was an amazing feeling, and a great sense of achievement.
After the arrival of the VIP we did a perfect drill display and got massive
applause from our audience. The VIP Major General Fry, Commandant General Royal
Marines, awarded the Basic Training awards to: Musn 'Ricky' Butchers for the
best affairs folder, Musn 'George' Dawkins the Certificate of Merit, Musn 'Oz'
Cleverly got the Determination Award, Bug 'Grandma' Lowe the most improved recruit,
Musn 'Mincer' Fothergill best overall recruit and best shot.
We marched off to A Life on the Ocean Wave to get changed for our PT display,
which everyone was very apprehensive about, but it didn't go as bad as we knew
it could have. We didn't think that anyone was going to get any PT awards because
we were told that we were all hopeless, but Musn 'Lewy' Shaw got Most Improved
PT, Musn 'Scottie' Burton Male PT Superior and Musn Caitlin O'Malley Female
PT superior. We doubled off to the sound of Sgt Griffin's famous high pitched
squeak and then went to meet our families and friends. The rest of the day was
a blur and to be honest nobody can quite remember what happened.
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Musn Butchers
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Musn Fothergill
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Musn Dawkins
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Musn Dawkins
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Bugler Lowe
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Musn Cleverly
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Musn Fothergill
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CGRM gives his address to the troop and guests
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Musn Burton
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Musn O'Mally
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Bd CSgt Howie Staines plays the drum kit during the
Band display
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The 2001 Training Team after the Pass Out
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Pictures taken by Sgt Bugler Mark Snell, Blue Band Magazine.
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Bug Ford