Week 14

Monday 10th
A nice cold start to the morning and nothing better than a bit of PT which, of course, involved running, sprinting and double mark time on the spot.  After a nice warm shower and coughing from the cold air in our lungs, we marched to the School of Music.
The day involved sitting in our cells practising hard until our next detail or stand easy.  Later on in the afternoon we had practice wind band which was good.  We could show off our hard work from our cells as we played through the marches given.
Monday night brought good old rounds.  Well, cleaning for rounds.

Tuesday 11th

Bright and early and looking immaculate (we hoped) on the Parade Square we waited for the Drum Major to begin ‘Training Parade Band’.  Today was to be the first time we would march and play, and dressing …  It was interesting, to say the least. It could have been a lot worse, I’m sure!
Later on in the afternoon we headed out for our Military Training at Portsdown to practise our map reading skills.  It was a long, cold afternoon but we got there eventually after a bit of shouting and running – good times.

Wednesday 12th

Wednesday for us Phase 1s consists of just practising in our cells and the odd Prof lessons.  The Phase 2s have the afternoon off for RT.  For us though it was just filling the time with music awaiting the call of the bugle.

Thursday 13th

Thursdays are pretty similar to Wednesdays, a lot of practising and drill.  This week we did a star formation, which was brilliant.  Drill has always been on of my favourite activities even though we are all a bit dusty at it.  We are slowly but surely improving.
Friday 14th

Last day of week and we finish early to prepare our rig for Monday again and catch up on some washing.  A nice bright day starting with PT.  This time we had the chance to visit our gym on Base to carry out PT our own way.  Some chose to use weights (Gregory, Atkinson), some chose to run (Hurley) and the rest were either doing cross training or the rowing machine.  Even Mills and Nelson chose to do something different and had a go on the training balls.
For the rest of the day we were back in our cells working hard.  To finish the day off
We had ‘Training Practice Music’ that took us to secure, which means ‘hello weekend’.  This always goes past so quickly, but you can’t wait until Monday as there is nothing to do.  At least I can say I’m looking forward to it as it is our last one before Christmas!

Musn Graysmark

Our week started like every other, with drill and wind band rehearsal being the only time not spent in our ‘cells’. 

However Tuesday started quite differently.  First thing we had Training Parade Band, and after doing our usual marching with instructors at our sides we were then ready to play.  We had our first opportunity to play and march as a band which, apart from one of the buglers losing their stick somewhere halfway across the Parade Square and having to carry on without it, was an enjoyable experience for all.  Parade Band was cut very short, however, by the arrival of the Royal Navy’s Compulsory Drugs Testing Team and our first snap drugs test shortly followed.

On Wednesday we were away from HMS Nelson for the afternoon as we went to Portsdown Hill for some map reading as part of our continuation Military Training.  I think it is safe to say that for most of us the highlight of the afternoon was the very conveniently placed burger van.

Drill on Thursday saw us attempt some more complicated movements that went surprisingly well and we rounded off the week last thing of Friday by playing some Christmas carols as a band.

Musn King

	Meet the Troop
	Meet the Training Team
	Meet the School of Music Staff
	Service Slang Abbreviations