Week 8 Musician Hall 15 October - 21 October 2001

Monday
We are in week 7 now and this has been the week that everyone has been worrying about. Monday started with a map reading test followed by a period in the Gym where everyone thought they had put in 100% but Sgt Griffin was not impressed with the standard of our work and told us we would be having another IMF session later in the week. Following our disappointing performance during IMF we went to the chaplaincy for a period of Religious Instruction and of course some tea and biscuits, courtesy of the chaplain. Our talk in the chaplaincy today was about relationships within the Royal Marines. We left the chaplaincy full of tea and biscuits to begin loading of the vehicles ready for our 4-day visit to the field for Exercise Twosome.

Tuesday
We left HMS Nelson during the morning and moved into the field for Exercise Twosome, everyone was so worried as we didn't know what to expect. The majority, and highlight, of the day was spent learning the skills of camouflage and concealment with Musn Burton trying to make himself look like Uncle Fester.

Wednesday
Wednesday morning got off to a bad start on because we all arrived 15 minutes late for our first field kit inspection. We then set off on a yomp (march) with all of our kit now packed and firmly strapped to our backs. At the end of our yomp we decided our lesson was now well and truly learnt and we would never be late again. During the evening the rain started coming down and the sentry duties became really difficult and uncomfortable, as we were all cold and dripping wet. Everyone was really tired and Musn Linden decided to try halting a dog mistaking it for one of the training team. At 05.30 in the morning we were bumped (attacked) by the training team. Most people got away with all of their kit but Section 1 left Musn Linden behind in her sentry position.

Thursday
Everyone made an extra effort to be on time this morning but the training team had a little treat for us… a 'Griffin' breakfast! CSgt Basford had a hand full of sausages so we thought it was a sausage called a 'Griffin'. The whole Troop's faces dropped when we realised it was Sgt Griffin for Breakfast and the IMF period he had promised us! We were all so tired and we knew we were going to be running around. In the evening we were sent out in pairs on a night navex (Night Navigation Exercise). The training team were concealed in various locations around the woods and it was our task to locate them. As we walked past them they shook the tree to attract our attention. It certainly did attract our attention and scared most of the girls and a couple of the blokes as well, especially Musn Keeping

Friday
The Troop was really happy on Friday morning, as we knew we were going home. We turned up at the training team's tent to be teased by them with the offer of a 'Griffin Curry', once again all of the colour drained out of our faces. A 'Griffin Curry' is double trouble as it is both of the PTI's Sgt Griffin and CSgt Curry! Thankfully the PTI's were not there but when we arrived back at HMS Nelson they were and we were taken on a 'Curry' run, a BFT with CSgt Curry. Everyone was so tired that few of the Troop managed to pass the BFT in the correct time. After the BFT we moved back to our rooms and started the cleaning of ourselves, our kit and our rooms ready for rounds on Saturday morning.

Saturday
Rounds went well and we were told the male accommodation was better than the females. I don't quite think that could have been possible. We were then out on the parade ground for some drill where we were going around and around in circles as no one could get the turnings in quick time correct. We than had the rest of the day to ourselves.

Sunday
Sunday was a day of cleaning everything ready for rounds on Monday. It was early to bed for everyone so that we could catch up on our sleep ready for the week ahead.

At the start of exercise Twosome, the Troop move into the Harbour position.	Sgt Henderson gives an introduction to camouflage and concealment.
The Troop 'cammed' out ready for action.	"Sorry, I didn't see you there!"
Sgt Henderson instructs the Troop in moving with a weapon.	...the crawl...
...still crawling...	...and into the prone firing position!
'The Griffin' breakfast starts!	...with Fireman's carry, note the steam.
Sgt Griffin offers encouragement...	...and as the troop begin to struggle...
...determination and grit come through as fatigue sets in.	Endex! Troop ready to return to HMS Nelson

Musn Hall