9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2002 - Page 0045
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2002 |
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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 43 At 0800 we started our final activity in the ‘field’. It was a test of team building and observation. We were split into our teams and were given 30 seconds to remember 21 items. We then com- menced on a walk around the woods blind-folded except for the first person whose job it was to guide and direct us. The only other aid was a piece of string that covered the route that they had to follow. At the end of the walk, we all had to remember the 21 items previously seen. This was more difficult than you might think. We headed back to camp to undertake our final test of the exer- cise ...... PT! This began with a 1 mile run that came as a bit of a shock to some. However, everyone started the run in good spirits! That was until the halfway point and we had to turn around for the return run. At one point, Sgt Dunn (PT instruc- tor) requested that everyone catch up and run as a squad , there was no swearing just a plain and simple NO!! Finally, came the assault course. In teams again, we set off around the course using all the energy we had left which, I has- ten to add, was not much. This was really good fun, although by the end we were exhausted. We made our wayback to the training wing for a quick clean up, followed by a end of exercise summary and the prize giving. The whole exercise proved a tremendous success. Well done to everyone who took part in the exercise and who made it such a success. Our thanks go to Major Farrer for agree- ing to run the exercise, SSgt Clarke and Sgt Major for having the nerves to attempt to make soldiers out of us in just over 24hrs and for putting up with all the flack and laughter that was evi- dent throughout the duration. We would also like to say thank you to Sgt Dunn and LBdr Savage for giving us a taste of the physical stamina required to be a soldier. We realise there were many more people involved in the exercise from B Squadron, the SQMS, the night guardsmen, the camera man and video to name but a few, all of whom we would like to thank most sin- cerely. We appreciate that, in “civvy street”, you wouldn’t often get the opportunity to participate in such an event as this, and certainly not for free. Being married to a soldier does hold its advantages! Exercise RED STRIPE in Jamaica 11 May Capt Lort-Phillips was joined by Tpr Hopkins from C Sqn and attached to the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment for Exercise RED STRIPE in Jamaica. Ex RED STRIPE is designed to provide both excel- lent jungle-training opportunities for the British Army, but also provides a training team for the Jamaican Defence Force in Kingston. Tpr Hopkins was attached to the Recce Platoon of C Company RGBW into which he fitted well. Based in a burnt out hotel in Port Antonio on the northern shore of the island, the exercise was split into four phases: living in the jungle, live firing, a Platoon level exercise, and a final Company level exercise. A brief opportunity for adventure training was also attached at the end. The initial week was spent living in the jungle being taught low-level section drills and getting accustomed to the difficul- ties of jungle living. A small survival package was also run under the tuition of a local Rastafarian called ‘The Examiner’, showing us what we could eat and survive on in what is a sur- prisingly bountiful jungle. Unlike many jungle environments, Jamaica is considered rather clean and is full of fresh fruit and vegetables along with copious quantities of coconuts! The jun- gle school was also based on the banks of the Rio Grande river along which various rafts would arrive selling barbecued ‘Jerk’ chicken, a Jamaican speciality! The live firing package involved close pairs fire and manoeuvre and section level shoots. There was also dismounted GPMG and live grenade throwing. Control of fire in the jungle is espe- cially difficult due to the close foliage and Tpr Hopkins’ role as section commander led to many a offer to re-badge, all ofwhich he thankfully declined! The platoon level exercise was organised by the respective pla- toon commanders, with ambushes and platoon attacks being practised in the tough conditions. The final company exercise culminated in a full company attack onto an enemy position provided by the JDF, and under the watchful eyes of the British defence attache and Jamaican Armed forces minister. Sadly the three days R&R following so much hard work proved the most arduous stage of the exercise. The heavens opened and all hopes of enjoying a short laze in the Caribbean sun disap- peared. Furthermore Jamaica’s social problems came to a head, with some fifteen members of the trip mugged or robbed, with one private being stabbed in the arm. Sadly we also lost one Guardsman involved in an accident in Montego Bay. The irony that those involved in training the JDF to combat the rising problems in Jamaica becoming their victims was not lost. Jamaica was a beautiful and challenging environment in which to train. Sadly, however, the abiding memories will be of a country edging into social decay. Hopefully through the train- ing team in Kingston, and the co-operation between the JDF and ourselves, Ex RED STRIPE has led to a deceleration of this slide. Tpr Honk/n8 Keeps out of the way for once |
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