This week started off with another introductory day over at the School of Music, but before any of this was to take place, we had our first morning of PT since Pass Out. During the morning, we were given a Health & Safety lecture about the School of Music. The remainder of the day was ours for personal practice unless our new instructors had planned any lessons. Myself and the other three buglers had an afternoon of Corps of Drums drill.
Tuesday was going to be one of the two days of our Basic Sea Survival Course,
where we had to get wet. The first challenge was to put our 'once only survival'
suit on in 2 mins 30 seconds. Whilst doing this, it was essential to keep our
life jackets attached either at the waist or around the neck. Unfortunately
for Bugler Keeping he had his life jacket taken away and was really worried
about jumping off the ten foot pier and swimming to a life raft in water which
was about 3°C. Everyone passed with no problems. In the afternoon we moved
across HMS Excellent to do Firefighting.
On Wednesday morning we had a lecture by the Corp Drum Major and Corp Bugle
Major on security. The first stage was searching vehicles and secondly venues.
We finished work at about 2 o'clock and were able to go into town to get things
ready for our Christmas Social which was taking place on Friday.
Thursday. The day everybody was dreading, 'Dunker drills'. It was quite a long
but quiet journey to Yeovilton where we were met by the Royal Navy underwater
escape team. A quick brief was given and then we cracked on with the drills.
There were 4 drills that had to be carried out in the helicopter frame that
was plunged into the water. Drill number 1 was straight down into the water.
Drill number 2 was straight down then upside down. Drill number 3 was the same
as 2 but with the extra fear of semi-darkness. And finally drill number 4, totally
dark and upside down.
Everyone managed to pass. Only one group had to be lifted back up. This was
due to Musn Cleverly 'Oz' being trapped and couldn't get his seat belt off!
Not to worry, he's still got life in him yet. A special mention should go out
to Musn Hall for braving the elements and doing all 4 runs again as a volunteer
to fill the capsule. Well done, rather you than me!
Friday began with a period of Band Service history and some moving stories by
two ex members of the Band Service who served during World War 2. We would like
to thank them for sharing their memories with us. Friday was also the night
of the Christmas Social. Everyone seemed to have had a good time. There must
have been a bit of Buglers luck in the air because Bugler Vyse and Bugler Boardman
won the top two prizes on the raffle. Between them they took away a PlayStation
2 and a DVD Player. Well done fellas.
The weekend was then left for us to recover! Roll on Christmas!
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The Band lead on Troop 2001
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Troop march on
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Sgt Henderson dresses the troop
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troop 2001 await the VIP
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Major General Fry takes the dias
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Capt Revens salutes the VIP
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CGRM inspects the troop
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CGRM inspects the troop
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CGRM inspects the troop
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The veiw from the Band
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CGRM meets the Training Team
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The Drill Display
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The Drill Display
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Troop 2001 March Past
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Pictures taken by Sgt Bugler Mark Snell, Blue Band Magazine.
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Bug Lowe