9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2003 - Page 0050
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
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48 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) The Royal Yeomanry or the more passionate reader (who may have shown a little misplaced envy over the last year), I must start this article with the confirmation that RHQ RY has indeed relocated from central Chelsea to Croydon. The majority of the Duke of York’s Headquarters has now been transformed into a commercial and astronomically priced residential metropolis, and the RY have settled in alternate environs. The Regiment is unusual in its ORBAT; RHQ and HQ Sqn are purely enabling and therefore non-deployable. There are 3 Sabre Squadrons that provide CR2 Crewmen and 2 NBC Sqns that specialise in decontamination. Additionally, the RY are privileged to have a band, the last one in the Yeomanry. The dual role ofthe Regiment can complicate day-to-day life. It is essential to be able to talk to a NBC squadron leader about specialist courses for troopers’ promotion and then engage in CR2 Firing Camp banter minutes later. As Adjutant, you either have to learn quickly or raise your bluffing game another level. Ofcourse, as the professional soldier that I am... Making the transition from working in the Regular Army to being in a key appointment in a Territorial Regiment is easier said than done. Those that have experience of the TA will easi- ly relate to the trauma that can be felt on occasions when “sim- ple” things are not done. It is the individual’s struggle with accepting the unusual that may make the transition difficult. Any soldier who has thoughts of working with the TA should remember that flexibility and prior planning are essential and he must forget about the, sometimes inflexible, systems that the regular army uses. This TA system is only made possible by the combined efforts of the permanent staff and the last minute flair and out of the box thinking at which the Royal Yeomanry seem to excel. Having said earlier that the RHQ was non-deployable, I arrived as the new Adjutant with the Commanding Officer deployed on Op TELIC 1. Additionally, both A andW Sqns (both NBC) had deployed in their war role, forming Y Sqn of the ]t NBC Regt. It was a strange feeling being the anchorman back in London, each night returning to my wife, house and creature comforts while my CO and 115 soldiers, whom I had not met, sped around the hotter climes of Iraq. The use of the TA on Op TELIC since January 2003, has cer- tainly forged the relationship between Regular Army and TA. The “One Army” ethos is now a reality and not just a concept. This can only be for the good of the Army, at a time when the Defence budget is cut to the point of limiting training opportu- nities and reducing manpower. It is not difficult to understand why, on every operational tour, numerous FTRS or TA person- nel will augment a deploying formation. The acceptance of the TA in the Regular units, and what seems genuine relief and pleasure in having them, is most encouraging. As I write, anoth- er 54 RY are willingly preparing to mobilise in support of the QRL on Op TELIC 4, proving again the depth of the relation- ship between the TA and their affiliated regiments. The pros and cons of serving with the TA as a regular soldier could be pursued endlessly and will vary with every individual. From my point of view, the sacrifice made to serve with the RY has thus far proved worthwhile. The first year in the seat has proved to be a great deal more challenging than previously expected, and has thrown up a working lifestyle that is eye open- ing to the shape of some things to come. Living in London has been rewarding. Apart from a more than welcome period of sta- , , . a. a Smart as a carrot and Iwrce as crunchy bility and a chance to socialise with civilian friends, I have fea- tured on The London Tonight Programme, whilst on parade, when the RY were awarded the Freedom of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea! I have also managed to marry Alison and ride the CRESTA, both a first for me; I wonderwhat will follow? NEGW |
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