Week 3

By Musn Brooke

Monday morning’s round again after a nice relaxing weekend fitting in as much relaxation as we could obviously, after we had finished all our personal admin.

The day began with Weapon Training, a joy to most, a nightmare to some, but no names mentioned!  We then visited the Chaplaincy, which was warm and comforting, and they looked after us with tea and coffee.  We wished we could have stayed there for the whole of training. We then had our first gym period which was a bit of a shock to the system because of the no itching or scratching rule, but some couldn’t resist, but we got over it!

Tuesday morning brought a freezing cold drill lesson that started with a bang (banging out press-ups!) as we were late.  The day finished with Weapon Training.

Wednesday brought swimming in which we girls all felt like we were better than the boys as they looked like they were about to drown! Next was another cold drill session and one person, not mentioning any names again, decided to do a little fainting drill. Thankfully, Graysmark saved the day by stopping her from becoming intimate with the parade square.  We were then all preparing for our Weapons Handling Test the following Monday.

We had some very exciting lectures on Thursday morning followed by light preparation for the Families Day display and setting up the gym. Cpl Sansby was scarily nice, creating a false sense of security. 

The troop warm up in the gym

Press ups!

Cpl Sansby proving that he can fly on the dias of the gymnasium

During the gym period there is the chance for a quick drink

The troop during Initial Military Fitness (IMF)

Cpl Sansby watches as the press ups and sit ups are carried out

Friday brought Families Day, which we had looked forward to, but nerves kicked in, firstly as our families had to arrive on time (and we can’t even manage that after three weeks of Basics), and secondly, because we wanted to impress them.  However, from the looks on their faces in the gym display, they looked like they were more concerned about our lives.  We all then had a well deserved long weekend, which was mostly spent travelling, but it wasn’t a bad week overall, but we dreaded coming back but also couldn’t wait at the same time.

By Musn Bowditch

After spending half of Sunday cleaning the accommodation, Week 3 began with even more cleaning! After a locker inspection, we went straight into weapons training and learnt about weapon cleaning and how clean they are expected to be during a field inspection – a rather scary thought for most people! A visit to the Chaplaincy was next on the agenda where we had a brief introduction into what the Chaplains do and how they could be used for just a chat or a shoulder to cry on, which I’m sure will come in useful in the weeks to come.

Monday ended with our first gym period and was focused around getting a display ready for the Families Day on Friday. To most of us it was a new experience; no itching, fidgeting or scratching – just like a drill session, but in PT rig!

Tuesday began how Monday ended, another gruelling session of PT but this time in the pool. The period consisted of lengths, treading water, laps, treading water, team games, and yes, more treading water! The next period was spent on the drill square practising movements we had already been taught, and also learning how to salute.

Cpl Haig inspects from head to toe
The inspection continues
The bugler sounds Stand Easy and the troop march to the edge of the parade for a break
Stand Easy for the troop and chance for a break and drink
Stand Easy over and onto part two of the lesson... Saluting
Cpl Haig gives some fine pointers on the position of the arm whilst saluting

We were up bright and early on Wednesday for a drill period at 0700! The period was used to prepare a small drill display for Families Day. Everyone survived the cold morning and then found themselves in the warmth of the Lecture Suite for a double lecture on kit insurance. The latter part of the day was spent weapon training where the pressure increased as we had more drills and information to remember and the thought of the looming Weapons Handling Test became clearer.

Thursday started with a double lecture on law and the rights of the soldier. We learnt all about what we could and couldn’t do, and also what punishments we could expect if the rules were broken. Thoughts of extra duties, docked pay and detention centres were a depressing start to the day. We hit the gym hard, adding more aspects to the PT display. We ran it through a few times and then once more to make sure the Troop had been completely thrashed!

Friday was a fairly relaxed day, with a PT run through at 0800, after which our parents started to arrive for Families Day. It was good to see our parents again, even though it had only been three weeks. They observed the PT display and then, after lunch, a drill display. After we had done our bit, the parents got thrown in at the deep end to attempt the drill we had just done, much to the amusement of the Troop, and most of all our Drill Instructor, Cpl Haigh. The weekend was then our own, but we couldn’t simply forget about all things military due to the Weapons Handling Test on Monday…

Predicted forecast of the training programme (Subject to change at short notice)

Mon 17 Sep

Rounds of accommodation
Weapon Training - Rifle Practice 1
Religious Education
Weapon Training - Rifle Lesson 4 + 5
PT - Military Fitness

Tue 18 Sep

PT - Military Fitness
Drill
Weapon Training - Rifle Lesson 6

Wed 19 Sep

Lecture -Kit Insurance Brief
PT - Military Fitness
Weapon Training - Rifle Lesson 7
Weapon Training - Rifle Practice 2

Thur 20 Sept

Rounds (Inspection) of Accommodation
Military Law - Rights of a soldier - Army Act - Queen's Regulations Royal Navy

Fri 21 Sept

Families Day

Sat 22 Sept

Weekend Leave

Sun 23 Sept

Return from Weekend Leave

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