New Recruit - Territorial Army

OP Tosca

2011-12-03T10:19:00.000-08:00

The last few posts have contained a few spelling mistakes the reason for this is that the spell checker seems to have had a major malfuntion and is refusing to work.

So thats me now a United Nations Peacekeeper for the next 6-7 months having passed all that was required at Bicester and Nesscliffe which to be honest wasnt all that hard, it could quite as easily been taught within a week but who am i to complain, its all work and extra money, not that i'm doing this for just the money, i'm doing it for the experience and because i want to do it, and the day i recieve my medal will be yet another proud moment.

So Nesscliffe was complete and it was time to head back to Bicester, i had found the first 3 weeks working with the regular army very interesting, they may shout and growl a little more than the TA but there really is very little difference, which is good as its suppose to be one army, Regular and Territorial, The TA lads who had been picked alongside me to go on Op Tosca had more than stood up to the test, infact to be honest i think there were a few unhappy regulars with thier pride a little bit hurt knowing that the majority of us TA lads had out done them on fitness, along with actual hard work and intelligence...this wasnt to be the last time either.

So we all gathered on the rather large parade square at Nesscliffe for the regimental photo to be taken and then onto the bus back to Bicester, we were given two weeks leave to go home relax and say goodbye to family and friends before getting deployed to Cyprus. The two weeks home seemed to take an eternity but i was happy to be there, it had been a long five weeks altogether at Chilwell, Bicester and Nesscliffe with Chilwell being the most enjoyable part of it all.

As the two weeks were almost up i started to become increasingly more nervous, not about the deployment or the 6 months away, but the flight, this was to be my first ever time on a plane as i have a serious phobia about flying, i've stayed away from planes all my life but soon i wouldn't be able to hide from the fear anymore, a few doubts did creep into my head as the two weeks leave drew to a close but i tried to suppress the growing nervousness and just thought to myself if the worst happens then at least i'd have died in uniform, maybe a bit wierd to some but it did help.

Time was up, it was time to say goodbye to family and dog, dog being my sisters dog ofcourse, who had come with me during my hill running and long walks to get fit for the army when i first joined the TA, they say a dog is a mans best friend, the loyalty she has shown to me and the excited displays of happiness she shows when i walk thru the door proves that this is very true, as with family i would miss her just as much and hoped she wouldnt forget who i was when i returned six months later.

Back at Bicester for a final few days then we were taken to RAF Brize Norton where our plane awaited us, now the nerves were really starting to play up. We packed all our kit onto the transport and left Bicester barracks. It took a while to get to RAF Brize Norton time i spent thinking about how i was supposed to suppress the intense fear that would almost certainly grip me once we reached the gates of Brize. I didnt tell a soul, i had met some good lads and was among friends from the TA but i didnt tell anyone i had never been on a plane before, not because i was embarressed or anything but because i knew squaddies being squaddies they would have loved to have winded me up about it and made me one hundred times worse.

The bus pulls up outside Brize and already i can see the rather large scary looking Tristars lined up near the hangars, the bus enters Brize and stops just infront of them for which seemed like forever, i, surprisingly wasnt feeling too bad as i stared at the old Tristars that have been used since the 1970's or something like that, i thought to myself these are RAF planes, they will have a very strict safety check proberly everyday since they have been in the RAF's hands, these planes have carried a endless supply of troops to Afghanistan over the past ten years so they cant be too bad, this all helped keep me calm but didnt change the fact that i'd soon be actually getting on one.

The driver came back and the bus drove off, passing right under one of the Tristars and down the runway a small distance and then pulled up alongside a civilian commercial plane, this was to be the one we would get to Cyprus as the tristars were to busy taking troops to and from afghanistan, all the safety stuff i'd thought about with the RAF had just gone, i was about to get on a civilian plane. A sudden huge onslaught of nerves gripped me but i thought 'ah fuck it' just get on and see what happens.

I got on the thing and found a seat towards the back, the pilot did his safety checks while the rather nice ladies did their own routine of if there is a crash you will leave here and here etc, none of which i listened to as i had more pressing things on my mind like 'where is the toilet'!
the engines fired up and the lights flickered on the plane i looked at the other lads to see if there was any reaction to this but they all seemed calm so it must be normal, i was soon delighted to learn that another TA lad sitting in just infront of me to the right hand side was also on his first flight, but he had made the mistake of letting the lads know and they soon started with the horror stories about take off, turbulence, landing etc.

The plane began to taxi along the runway and then stopped but almost straight away began hurtling down the runway, it was a bit rough but all off a sudden it was nice and smooth as it left the ground, i was feeling ok to be honest instead taking comfort from the lads laughing as the clearly terrified other flight virgin gripped his chair. We were soon up and away and i settled down....Four hours later the plane touched down in Larnaca airport, Cyprus, I was there, i'd actually gotten on a plane and now i was in another country.

Bring on OP Tosca....

Regular Army, Bicester, 23 Pioneer Regt, OP Tosca, Nesscliffe...continued.

2011-11-30T11:53:00.000-08:00

The week spent at Bicester wasnt too bad apart from the few snarls and growls we all recieved from a overly enthusiastic RSM, and a equally enthusisatic PTI who we were sure was trying to break us all with PT twice a day everyday, for a moment we thought we'd somehow been mixed up and swapped with people going on deployment to afghanistan but we soon realised this is just 23 Pioneers attempt to be the 'best' in the RLC, but this was to be expected now as we were on the 'big boys' turf, the week was mostly made up with power point presentations about Cyprus, the buffer zone, the turkish and greek cypriot forces etc and ofcourse the near heart attack inducing PT sessions.

The week was soon completed and we were on our way to Nesscliffe, yes that place in the middle of nowhere, where i'd spent two weeks earliar in the year hoping to be selected for this deployment and now i was returning to it for a further two weeks...that place!

We got there, was given rooms, my room was worse this time than it was earliar in the year but the guys i was sharing with didnt snore unlike my last sleepless stay at that place where i'd had to put my headphones in and play music as high as the volume would let me just to drown out the pre-historic sounding snore from one of the guys who i was unlucky enough to have shared a room with for two weeks at that place.

We unpacked or should i say we opened our bags, as there was 8 guys in the room but only three wardrobes one of which would look better in a junk yard, the other two had nothing to hang coat hangers on and were equally useless, i lived out of my bag for the two weeks, i would have to be careful to keep my uniform ironed and pressed to a decent standard now that there were many many officers here too and also the RSM who would love nothing more than to catch you out with a single thread out of place, but then again, thats his job, to maintain a good level of discipline and boy did he do his job well.

So why were we at this place again, we were there to learn more about the buffer zone, the land that separates turkish northern cyprus and greek southern cyprus, we were to be split up into groups and sections, there would be Ops Squadron whose job it was to patrol the BZ (buffer zone) support squadron whose job was pretty much everything from chefs to welfare, 'and servants for the officers occasional loud cocktail parties' less said about that the better, and MFR (mobile force reserve) who were the riot control element. I was picked for ops squadron i was pleased about this as i'd be getting out on the ground and seeing the BZ, getting into the thick of the action, or extreme lack of it.

Time went fairly quick and the days soon passed, more powerpoint presentations, mock scenarios on the makeshift BZ etc pretty much filled up the time we were there with not much really to write about. The whole time we were there dealing with the mock scenario's for example, the TF (turkish forces) throwing stones at the NG (national Guard) or a farmer on the BZ who shouldt be there or the occasional 'social rendezvous' or otherwise widely known by the troops as 'dogging', yes it really happens, in Nicosia there are several open area's that lead onto the BZ and locals often drive onto it for a bit of 'social rendezvous' much to the delight or sometimes shock to patrolling troops who find them.

While dealing with these mock scenarios we were under the constant gaze of a handful of lads who had just finished thier tour of cyprus and were at nesscliffe to monitor us and test us on certain areas on the job we were going to be doing. At the end of it all we were allowed to wear our Blue berets for the first time after passing the two weeks training, we were now UN (united nations) peacekeepers for the next 6-7 months, i was very proud about this, this is the sort of thing i'd joined the TA to do, as my mind wandered back to all the weekends i'd done my basic training at strensall when i first joined along with the freezing nights i'd been stagging on in the middle of knowhere near Grantham in a dark wood and sleeping in a hole while it rained, all the CFT's and the blisters they brought, everything i'd done previously all now just memories but all led up to this moment when i knew for sure i'd made it, this was my first deployment and i had the biggest smile on my face.

Regular Army, Bicester, 23 Pioneer Regt, OP Tosca, Part One..

2011-11-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

Firstly i apologise for the time its taken to update this blog, forgetting your password is not a good thing to do, secondly i apologise for any spelling mistakes as the spell checker isnt working for some reason. We arrived at Bicester, home of 23 Pioneer Regiment, in what can only be described as a monsoon, it was hammering it down as we dragged all of our kit from the buses and found our way to the accomodation that was to be ours for the week we were there. The camp itself didnt look too bad, a bit boring but not too bad, after at first having trouble being allocated a room i finally managed to unpack my kit, which by now was a bit damp thanks to the monsoon outside, the accomodation block was shocking to say the least, it was an old transit block which was in dire need of renovation, i could go on a bit more about this but i dont want to grumble, or get into trouble, plus i was only meant to be there for a week anyway.

The room itself was ok, a small two man room, as you will tell by older posts i do not like sharing a room with someone who snores, luck was with me this time as my room mate did not snore. Nothing happened over the weekend as the regs (regular army) dont work weekends unless on exersise or on tour etc, so we had plenty of time to settle in and find our way around camp before the hectic weeks training started.

Monday morning we were to form up outside on the main camp road and march onto the parade square for the CO`s welcome brief, a few minor hiccups later and a very unhappy RSM (regimental sergeant major) we were getting a brief from the boss, the commanding officer of 23 Pioneer Regiment, my first impression was that i noticed he looked physically fit, very proffesional, as you would imagine a CO to be, and very enthusiastic about the coming deployment which by the way is Op Tosca (Cyprus) not the one i was hoping for as i joined the Territorial Army with the sole focus of getting deployed to afghanistan but with the peace process in Cyprus looking promising this United Nations tour is coming to an end soon and im very happy to be given the opportunity to deploy on it.....To be Continued....

Territorial Army info

2011-09-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

http://army.mod.uk/territorial/143.aspx

Two Weeks @ Chilwell, Regular Army

2011-09-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

I recently spent two weeks at Chilwell in Nottinghamshire, we were there to pass all the MATTs, shooting, map reading, fitness etc. Chilwell is where the reserves go to get accepted into full time service before going on deployments etc, we got to Chilwell around 4pm, we got booked into our rooms, the accommodation was quite good, small eight man rooms, i was to share with with only another four people, three from my unit and one lad from a London unit who was going to Afghanistan.

The food at Chilwell was very good it was also free, next to the scoff house was a small bar, the drinks were very expensive, also there were several computers, TV`s, pool table etc.

The first few days were very chilled, we completed lots of paper work, medicals etc. After that things got a bit more interesting, we were issued several items of kit, went to do our shooting etc, while on the ranges a few lads got quite bad sun burn it was that hot.

At the end of the first week we had to do the 1.5mile run, i completed that and passed, i knocked 50 seconds off my last time, i got ten minutes, while at Nesscliffe i got a time of 10.50, i was very happy with this and will try and better it the next time. Being 37 i only have to get within 11 mins 30 secs so I'm well within my time scale.

We had the weekend off so we explored the local area, its a decent place from the looks of it, right outside the camp there is a huge Tesco so that was very handy.

The second week was much of the same, the staff at Chilwell were excellent, they were always ready to listen and help. At the end of the second week was the CFT yet another CFT i thought, Ive done countless cfts`s this year and here i am about to do another, but this one is not anything like any of the other ones I've done before, at Chilwell the CFT route involves at least 5 steep hills and they suck the energy out of you, now after my last CFT at Grantham i vowed never to use issue boots again and brought myself a pair or Grafters Combat Boots from COPSHOP.CO.UK these boots are light as a feather, they have no metal in them at all, they feel like you are wearing a pair of expensive trainers and for only £44 they are a bargain and what a difference they made, absolutely no calf muscle pain, absolutely no blisters and no hot spots, now knowing what issue boots do to my feet i am so very glad i brought the new boots as i hate to think how much pain i would have been in if i didn't.

After the CFT we had enough time to chill out and get our kit packed as we were going straight to Bicester, i had passed everything at Chilwell and was now part of the Regular Army for the next 9 Months.

Two Weeks @ Nesscliffe

2011-09-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

After all the fun of playing the part of the enemy was over it was time to concentrate on the annual camp which was at Nesscliffe in Shropshire, i`d never been there before and had looked at several comments on the Army Rumour Service (ARSE) Forum, the comments were not very positive so i wasn't looking forward to it at all.

We Got there by coach quite late at night, luckily the coach stopped right outside the room which was to be mine, accommodation from the outside looked ok, but inside it was a eight man room with only four wardrobes, there was no bedding at all so we had to use our sleeping bags, now using a sleeping bag in summer which was designed to keep you alive in winter meant there were many hot and sticky nights.

Day one was full of classroom type lessons and briefs, there was to be PT (physical training) twice a day once in the morning and again after evening meal, this caused alot of moans and groans but it helped alot of people knock a few seconds off their 1.5 mile run time.

The entire two week camp was based on Operation Tosca (Cyprus) there was a makeshift buffer zone created where everyone hoping to be deployed on Op Tosca would complete the training exercise, it was very enjoyable and to be honest very easy.

During the second week we were given choices on which adventure training we would like to do, i picked kayaking and spent the day on what i think was the river Severn, being a hot summers day made this more enjoyable, its not all hard work in the army you know.

The camp at Nesscliffe was miles away from any shop, the camp itself had no cash point, no shop, only two washings machines for the hundred plus troops that were there and no tumble dryers at all. The food was free and was very good, evening meal is always good with pudding thrown in for good measure. If anyone could open a small shop either in or just outside the camp they would make a decent bit of money i think.

After all the training had been completed we got back on the coach and headed to Grantham where we would stay for a night and do the CFT (combat fitness test) the dreaded 8 mile fast paced walk carrying 15 kg or more. I`ve done many CFT`s and you just have to keep going, ignore any pain and keep going, however this one was probably my most testing one, i do them in my issued boots while most others wear expensive Lowa Combat Boots, this one was to be my last CFT in issued boots. It started well apart from the usual calf muscle pain for the first mile or so, it was ok until the 6 mile mark then my feet started to hurt badly, i was getting blisters on my heal and under my big toe, the ground was quite rough and i found it very hard to walk properly while the people wearing their lowa`s were not having any problems at all, towards the end i was ready to drop, my feet were killing but i knew there was only half a mile to go so just kept going but vowed to myself this would be the last time i do a CFT in issued boots.

CFT completed i headed to the showers and after that patched up my feet, got into a fresh uniform went for final parade and then boarded the coach to go home which i looked forward too very much, while at Nesscliffe i didn't get a single decent nights sleep there was one guy in our room who beat the record for loudest snorer, I've never heard anything like it, its like he was snoring through his mouth and nose at the same time, needless to say he had several shoes and other objects thrown at him during the night.

Playing Enemy

2011-07-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

When i was asked if i`d like to be part of a section and play enemy for five days i could hardly say no, We were to play the part of enemy troops and make life a little difficult for quite a large course of corporals who are basically trying to get promotion to sergeant, they were on a intensive two week course. The final five days of it was spent out in the field doing patrols etc.

When they went out on patrol we would split up and ambush them at certain points along the route, mostly this was at night time but there were a good few during the day. This went on for the whole five days all day and night, talk about sleep deprivation, after an ambush we would get back to HQ and just sleep for two hours then back up and out again, it was tiring at times but the adrenaline kept you going, knowing you are getting one over on the corporals was good.

The whole five days was ration packs which doesn't bother me really they are quite tasty but occasionally you get a crap one. We fired off hundreds of blank rounds, seen alot of Norfolk countryside, had fun and got paid for it, which leaves me bewildered as to why not more people join the Territorial Army. You go away places you would never normally go to, you get to fire weapons and blow things up, you meet alot of great people, your fitness improves, your confidence improves and you get paid for it, why people arnt queuing up to join is beyond me.

Weekend @ Catterick Ranges

2011-05-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago i completed a weekend at Catterick Ranges, basically the whole weekend was based on live firing.

Shooting is the thing i enjoy the most so when i was asked if i wanted to attend i jumped at the chance, Catterick Garrison is huge and our driver took a few wrong turns before eventually finding where we were to call home for the weekend, now we were supposed to be given accommodation but thanks to a bit of poor organising we ended up sleeping in field conditions using ration packs etc.

I wasn't too bothered about this as i quite enjoy the great outdoors, we were not entirely in the wild however as we slept in a run down farmers barn building, Friday night we took it in turns to guard the live ammo so for an hour i had to go on stag, i hit lucky as my guard started at 11pm so by midnight i was in by sleeping bag and had quite a good sleep.

6am Saturday morning up and shaved etc and ready for the shooting, we were all given a quick weapons handling test just to make sure, but one thing you don't forget is how to disassemble and reassemble your weapon and how to do the weapons handling test.

We piled into mini buses and taking to the ranges, the ranges are situated in amazing countryside with the three peaks in view. The Saturday shoot was a practice consisting of the 50m 100m 200m and 300m ranges, we were told if we didn't pass this then we would not be shooting on the real test on Sunday.

I love shooting and this was the hardest shooting i`ve done but was very happy to have passed first time. I sat and cleaned my weapon while waiting for the others to complete their shoot, then it was back to the barn for a few makeshift class room power point presentations powered by a noisy generator.

After that it was time for a few drinks at the makeshift bar and i was given my time to go on stag (guard) this time i wasn't so lucky and was given 4am to 5am. 4am comes and i`m woken up, even tho its hot and sunny thru the day it still gets very cold at night, i walked around the barn areas trying to keep warm, the sound of snoring coming from the barn was immense, i`ve never heard anyone snore like that since basic training. As i kept an eye on the barn area i could see in the distance a few dim lights in the trees about a mile or so away and as soon as it hit 5am i realised what they were, 5am and the whole countryside came to life with flares lighting it up in the distance, alot of shouting and blank gun fire with what sounded like thunderflash bangs too, it was most proberly new recruits out on exercise getting a nice early morning attack, memories of my basic training came flooding back, i stood watching and listening for a few minutes then went in to wake up the lad who was next on stag and went to bed for what felt like 5 minutes then i was up again at 6am.

After breakfast we went back to the ranges, i was in the first lot to take the test, same as the day before 50m 100, 200, and 300m. Things were a bit tricky this time around as i got to the 200 and 300m part as the wind changed direction coming from right to left but happily i passed again first time.

That was it for a very enjoyable weekend, very much looking forward to a few more good weekends coming up.

Weekend @ Thetford

2011-05-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

The Thetford weekend consisted of plenty of lessons for OP TOSCA (Cyprus) along with yes you`ve guessed it another CFT and 1.5mile run, however this time i could not do any physical activities on this weekend due to a lower back injury.

It took ages to get to Thetford, we arrived at 3am and had to be up Saturday morning at 6am, the camp is quite a large place and very old now, they filmed the Dads Army ending here so im told, the billets are something out off a WW2 film and we were unlucky to have one that smelled like cat pee, Saturday consisted of the 1.5mile run for those without injury, and then onto plenty of power point presentations all to do with OP TOSCA as well as a very good presentation from two lads who only 24 hours earlier had returned from their 6month Cyprus deployment.

During lunch time i looked across the canteen and noticed a lad that i did my basic training with at Strensall in Yorkshire, he belongs to a different regiment to me and it was great to meet up again, if you join the TA or the Regs you will never forget your basic training and the people you met during that time.

Sunday the ones without injury did their CFT, then it was onto a few more power point presentations and then that pretty much was it, another weekend ended without much to write about. The OP TOSCA lesson really has got ten me in the mood for the deployment now.

Next update, weekend @ Catterick.

Weekend @ Berwick

2011-05-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Another kick up the back side given to myself for leaving it so long to update the blog, a few months ago i completed a training weekend in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

On the menu for this weekend was finishing off our MATTS in order to be bounty qualified which consisted of Navigation, 1.5 mile run and yet another CFT (combat fitness test).

Friday night we got stuck into the map reading test, it doesn't matter how many times i do map reading it never seems to get any better, i must just be one of those people who just will never be very good at it.

Up at 6am on Saturday morning get breakfast etc then its onto the 1.5mile run, after that a few lessons on values and standards etc then a bit of sport. After the days activities we congregated in the bar for a few drinks and a dangerous game of darts, less said about that the better, a few pool competitions and then the silly drinking games started.

We were put into teams of 3, at the table were one boiled egg 4 crackers and one weetabix oh and a can of cider....

On the command GO we had to eat the egg crackers and weetabix as well as drink the whole can of cider in any order, i did quite well with the egg and crackers but when it came to the weetabix i thought i was about to throw up my entire insides, the combination of cider and weetabix is not a very good one.

Sunday it was another 6am start and we got our bergans ready for the 8 mile CFT, we got dropped off along the coast and the CFT started, i was a bit nervous following the blisters i suffered on the RAF Boulmer CFT but it turned out OK, out of all the CFTs I've done before this one was the most scenic, tabbing up the Northumberland coast was great i think having so much to look at made things a little easier as it took your mind of the stiff leg muscles, we made it back and everyone passed, the more you do it the easier it gets.

Next update will be on the weekend in Thetford, Norfolk.

Weekend @ RAF Boulmer

2011-02-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

About a month ago we had a weekend at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, on this weekend we passed our MATTS (mandatory annual training tests) to qualify for the annual bounty. What this involves is pretty much a quick going over of what you would have gone thru during your basic training. Some of which are,

Navigation test (classroom)

WHT (weapons handling test) including a shoot.

First Aid test (classroom)

PFT (personal fitness test) could be 1.5mile run or a Bleep test, also press ups & sit ups in a certain time depending on age.

CFT (combat fitness test) 8mile fast walk with 20 kg Bergen to be completed in two hours.

Plus more things which i wont bore you with but the above are the main parts.

We got to RAF Boulmer at around 9pm on the Friday night, our accommodation was to be the transit block, now those who have stayed at Army barracks will know that the accommodation for private soldiers is pretty basic to say the least, so it was a great boost to see what accommodation the RAF gave us, basically you had your own room (the door even had a lock) two wardrobes, nice comfy bed, bedside light (major luxury), window that opens, mirror, and your own sink. The room even had carpet. and this was the transit block.

I unpack and hang up my uniform ready for the morning, and go to the main classroom, we have a few talks about OP tosca (Cyprus) and then the make shift bar opens, these weekends are good for catching up with people you met while going thru basic training or other courses in the past. After a few drinks i went to my luxurious bedroom and slept like i log without any worries about getting woken up by someone snoring, 6 am I'm up and ready, we have quite a few classroom lessons otherwise known as death by PowerPoint, then we do the navigation test and first aid test.

After that we go to a separate part of Boulmer where the indoor shooting range is DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) basically a giant xbox 360 with real SA80`s converted for use with this amazing bit of kit. you have to take five shots at a target in the sitting, prone, standing and kneeling positions and you have to get a certain grouping per target to pass. I find the standing position the hardest, but i pass anyway, altho the DCCT is great and i could easily play on it all day if i were given the chance, i much prefer live shooting, the smell you get after firing a live round, the kick in your shoulder, the sound, the nervousness you get when you know you have live rounds and you need to be 100% in control at all times, you don't get that with the DCCT.

After the DCCT its onto the Gas chamber or the CBRN testing area (Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) Basically here we get into our CBRN kit, put our respirators on and enter a chamber where CS gas is released, I've done this a few times now but it still gets to me, if you are unfortunate to get a lung full of CS gas while trapped in a small indoor space its not pleasant, luckily this time all went well and i carried out the drills perfectly and didn't choke.

After that we were back to the transit block for yet more PowerPoint lessons. Mustn't forget to mention the food, i thought the food we got with the army was good until i tasted the RAF food, it was absolutely perfect, and lots of it, i would happily pay a decent amount to receive this good quality food in a restaurant, the RAF people are lucky, great accommodation, great food, what more could you ask for. I made the effort to find the chefs and thanked them personally.

Sunday it was time for the dreaded CFT (combat fitness test) 8 miles with a 20kg bergan. We all lined up, had our bergans checked to see if it was the correct weight, then fell in to three ranks, off we went, now i had no idea i was carrying an injury to my right calf muscle until we started, after only five minutes into it i was in pain, every step i took felt like i was being kicked in the leg, i knew i was in for hell.

On a CFT you HAVE to keep in three ranks, there can be NO gaps between you and the person in front, so basically i had to run to keep up, every time i put my right foot down i was almost collapsing with the pain, normally CFT`s do not bother me, they are easy to be honest, but if you have an injury to your legs or your feet you will suffer.

Halfway thru i was suffering, i was shattered having to run to keep up, two others dropped out and that made things even worse, not only did it piss off the SGT Major but we had to carry the bergans from the guys who dropped out, i wanted the ground to open up and swallow me, my leg was in intense pain, was shattered from running and to make things worse a bitch of a blister was developing on my left heal, but one thing i will never do is give up, i will never quit, i would have to be put on a stretcher and carried away before i quit. I just thought about the lads who have lost their legs in Afghanistan and then realised altho in pain i still have mine, that carried me on to the end and i completed the CFT.

That was the final part of the weekend, Very enjoyable, RAF personnel were very friendly and welcoming.

Next blog update will be Weekend @ Berwick.

Remembrance Day, Driving Test.

2011-02-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

Keeping the blog up to date and filling in the gaps between the two weeks at Deepcut there was a weekend at Cramlington, basically just a few command tasks to carry out and a quite intense bit of circuit training on the Saturday, Sunday was the Remembrance day parade, this was my first parade, it was great to get in amongst the veterans and to hear their stories etc, before the parade there was a short church service, the church was packed and it was standing room only, it was great to see young and old come together for this special day, it in a way restored my faith in humanity just a little, with all the problems our country has at the moment, with feral youth, anti-social idiots and criminal low life everywhere i look, this day showed that not all is lost in our society and there is hope for the future.

The parade went well, we stopped at the war memorial, trying to stand dead still when you are absolutely freezing is quite a challenge, i could feel myself shaking, it was a very cold November morning. After the parade it was back to the unit HQ for drinks etc.

Not long after the remembrance day parade i found myself at Grantham on a driving course, this was a week long course all payed for by the army, unfortunately i failed the final test, i hate to make excuses but it didn't help that my instructor was deaf in one ear and was very impatient. I failed on the most simple thing which i thought was very harsh.

Altho i failed i cant complain, i had a week away driving, i enjoyed it, and i got payed for it. The driving instructors are civilian but the examiners are military, if you join and pass out as a TA soldier and you cant drive then phone your units HQ and ask for driving courses.

While there i shared a room with four other lads, three were TA and the other was a regular soldier, one thing you`ll notice is that when you go away and meet other TA/Regular lads or lasses you always get on very well very quickly. The Regular lad brought along his xbox 360 with a copy of Call of Duty Black Op`s which kept us amused for a while, also a large collection of DVD`s. All the lads were also there on driving courses, some HGV and others forklift.

Two weeks @ Deepcut

2011-01-28T04:58:00.000-08:00

Not long ago myself and a few others from my unit were training at Deepcut for a two week course on how to build things and use all of the power tools etc. Quite a simple straight forward course, on my way to Deepcut i have to admit i was a bit nervous after all the stories in the media about the suicides in the past etc but when i got there and settled in it was nothing like what the rumours had described it to be like, not far from Pirbright and close to camberley and only five minutes from where i was born in Farnborough.

It was during the world cup last year so we were almost certain to have plenty of down time to watch the games as our instructors were also football fans. The two weeks flew by to be honest and it was one of the most relaxing courses i`ve been on so far, building cuplock towers, putting up tents and filling sandbags didn't take much time, and learning all of the power tools was quite simple with most of the time being spent on health and safety. There were no incidents apart from one female soldier nearly cutting her knee off with a grinder and after whats happened recently to Sky sports Andy Grey i think less said about that the better.

There was no PT at all on this course so we made our own activities, one day football, the next basketball etc. Deepcut has a great Gym and sports hall. The food at Deepcut was good during the week, not so good at weekends but for the price you really cant complain.

All in all it was a good two weeks and i have to say i was a bit sad to leave in the end, the instructors were great the accommodation and food was good and the surrounding area outside camp from nice.

Next update will be from my Cat B course at Grantham.

Two Weeks @ Grantham and Pass Off Parade

2010-08-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Well I've gave myself a good boot up the backside and have updated the blog. The two week final training at Grantham was upon me, i was very nervous in the run up to this for a few reasons, one of them being that my back was giving me a hard time and the thought of a 4 mile tab (tactical advance to battle) basically a quick paced walk carrying a 20kilo Bergen and rifle, was making me nervous, the last thing i wanted was to fail anything. Also knowing that we were to be trained by regular army instructors was slightly worrying as i knew they wouldn't accept any mistakes. my worries however were proved to be wrong as you`l see as you read this blog.

Only myself and another new recruit from my troop traveled down to Grantham, the barracks are quite large, they belong to the RLC (Royal Logistics Corps). We arrived quite late, we were told to go to the booking in room, we eventually found it, one thing you will find is you never get dropped off right beside the place you need to be, you have to carry all your kit quite far to get there, anyway we get booked in, the regular army instructors were friendly and quite welcoming, they took us to our block and we get shown to our room, there were ten beds to each room with a locker beside each bed. I was given a separate room from the lad from my troop but there was a lad i knew from the seven weekends training we did at Strensall, the rest of the lads in my room were easy to get on with, everyone got along well and throughout the two weeks helped each other. I unpacked all my kit, put my gear in the locker making sure it looked very neat and tidy as you never know when a kit and locker inspection might happen.

That night i hardly slept a wink, the bed was quite comfortable but the anticipation of the first days training was keeping me awake. the alarm went off around 6am, i jump out of bed, washed dressed and stood by my bed as did the others, expecting a room inspection but it didn't come, instead a Corporal came in and told us to fall in on the parade square, we stood there for what seemed like an hour in the pouring rain waiting for the Sgt to come, he eventually did and himself and two corporals put us through our paces with intense drill. Those who put a foot wrong knew about it, and we quickly learned that these instructors wouldn't be taking any prisoners.

After the fast paced drill session we were able to go to breakfast, the food was very good. I ate quite a bit but soon regretted it as it was PT next. PT was a bleep test, it was done in the sports hall, basically you run from one point to another point before the bleep sounds, sounds easy enough but the bleep gets quicker and quicker. I completed this, it was fun, i`d rather do this than a 1.5 mile run anytime.

If i wrote about every lesson we did throughout the two weeks at Grantham this blog would be huge, so basically you do everything on this two week as you do during your seven weekends training at Strensall or wherever you have done your weekends.

The first week was definitely the hardest, people getting beasted etc but if they had listened and not back chatted to the corporals then life would have been a bit easier, instructors are there for your benefit, they only want you to be as good as them, if you listen to them and do as they say and give it your best then they are more than happy with you, if you mong it and be lazy or back chat then you`l get beasted. during the first week we had the first two day exercise, this comprised of field craft, patrolling, fire manoeuvres, target indication etc. We packed our gear into the Bergen's and fell in on the parade square, while waiting for the coaches to arrive the Sgt did a quick check on our Bergen's to see if we had the correct kit. The coaches arrived we all piled on and were taken about an hour or two away to somewhere way out in the countryside, we were dropped of and had to TAB to the exercise area, this seemed to be miles away and i received my first ever blister, now if you have never had a blister on your feet then you wont know how painful they can be, just take it from me when i say try your hardest NOT to get any.

We arrived at the exercise area, it was getting dark, we were split into two groups of around about 20 people in each, we patrolled to the area where we would set up our bashers and sleep. During the night we all took it in turns to go on stag, basically two guys keep guard on the area while others slept.

Next day we did patrolling and target indication, also pairs fire maneuvers which is great if like me you like firing off loads of blanks (not in a sexual manner either). The day went very quickly and instead of sleeping in the woods again we slept in a nearby barn which was so much better, altho you never get a full sleep as you always get to go on stag every hour or two depending on the size of your group.

Next morning we pack up, clean our rifles and TAB to a nearby firing range, by this time my foot is killing me, the blister i have is stinging with every step i take, i just carry on with the occasional swearing. We reach the firing range and sit around for a while while they set up the targets, this is a 100 meter range which i was quite nervous about, i passed my 25 meter range first time and i wanted to repeat that here. The time it took them to set it up gave me plenty of time to see to my feet, i took my boots off and gave my feet a good rub, borrowed a few plasters of a female recruit who just happened to be a medic, i put my boots back on and felt better. When you are away with the army you will soon learn to care for your feet at every chance you get.

The range was set up and it seemed like an eternity until it was my turn. I stood at the firing point, filled my magazines, listened to the corporals instructions and started to fire at the targets. The SA80 is a great rifle, it gives a good kick into your shoulder but its very accurate, we wasn't using the SUSAT (Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux) just the iron sights. I finished the shoot and waited patiently for the pass or fail message to come through. I didn't have to wait long, and hearing my name followed with a pass was a great relief, again i had passed a live shoot first time which fills you with confidence.

That was the end of the first two day exercise and we were back on the coaches and taken back to Grantham where we unpacked, washed our gear, got a shower, went to the naffi but with the no alcohol rule we could only drink soft drinks. Everyone got an early night and ready for whatever they would throw at us next. There were plenty of tests, the shooting test along with the map reading, drill, TAB, etc there was plenty to keep you on your toes.

The second week was a bit easier, the corporals were alot easier on everyone, they had gotten rid of the few dropouts who they knew wouldn't make it and gave us a bit of an easier time with plenty of free time. The second two day exercise was somewhere near oxfordshire, i think. An old world war two weapons storage place in the middle of nowhere, it was great, they had set up a FOB (forward operating base) but before we got there we set up what we thought would be a harbour area out in the woods, we were told to get in our sleeping bags, we did this and with in no time were ambushed, we grabbed our rifles and began to fire back, we were screamed at by the Sgt to pack up and prepare to move, being midnight and pitch black and not allowed any light it was quite amusing.

We then tabbed to what was to be a FOB complete with Sanger's on each corner, this was proper Afghanistan style training complete with battlefield casualties etc while patrolling from the FOB you had to be alert to IED`s (improvised explosive device) etc. This was very enjoyable and hope it wont be long until i get to do more of the same. Also we had a scenario where a land rover had gone over a mine and you had to treat the wounded inside the vehicle, with a sgt shouting at you at the same time, was challenging but very good.

The final two day exercise came to an end and we were back at Grantham preparing for the pass off parade but one thing stood in the way of this, the four mile TAB, with my foot patched up i was ready for this final test which we completed in an hour. I`d say the first mile is probably the hardest as your legs are getting use to it. But just keep going, its only an hours work.

The final day arrives and our kit is immaculate as we know our families have arrived for the passing out parade, excited but nervous we fell in just up from the parade square, the band fired up and we began to march down passed the parade square and then onto the square in front of the families, this was a very proud moment. There were presentations for best recruit, best shot etc. Then we marched of the square and fell out. Bringing the two weeks at Grantham to an end.
It was hard at times, very good at times and with the blisters very painful at times but I'm glad i did it and would jump at the chance to do it again.

So ive passed out as a Territorial Army Soldier and now will work hard to get deployed, whether it be Cyprus or Afghanistan i will keep you updated on my progress.

The next update will be my two weeks trade training at Deepcut which i completed in June.

Update Soon

2010-03-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

I should have updated this blog last november when i completed the two week CMSR at Grantham, i will do it in next couple days...oh and im now 36 years old, birthdays should stop when you reach 30!!!

Final Weekend, Weekend Seven

2009-12-21T16:06:00.000-08:00

Firstly very sorry for the huge delay in updating the blog, it will teach me not to forget my password. Well my final weekend at Strensall was a while back so i`ll have to jog my memory to remember what i actually did, mostly it was a very easy weekend, very chilled, just really going over everything we had learned over the past six weekends.

The Saturday night in the bar was good, alot of people maybe drinking a bit too much, everyone saying there goodbyes in case they don't get the chance the next day, the accommodation was so much better for our final weekend, only four to a room instead of about 12, and much better than the standard block.

Sunday we had a 3 mile tab with about 15kilos, easy, the more tabbing you do the easier it gets and that's a fact.

Sunday is over far too quick and the sad realisation of never coming back to strensall starts to sink in, the girls obviously have a cry, the lads just give each other a slight right handed jab to the arm etc. Then were off, looking forward to the final two weeks training at Grantham, which i will add to the blog asap.

If you are reading this blog with the thought of joining the TA or any of our armed forces then just do it you will not be disappointed, its a great experience that you`l only understand if you do it yourself, you learn some great stuff and meet great people who you will never forget and the best thing of them all is you get to wear the uniform of the British Army which for me at least fills me with immense pride.

Weekend Five, Weekend Six

2009-09-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Firstly sorry for taking so long to update the blog, since my last update i have completed weekend five and weekend six.

If you have been following my progress then you will know the process for these training weekends so i wont bore you with the nitty gritty and just concentrate on the important parts.

Weekend five, the fitness lessons are getting alot harder, mainly circuit training which is very demanding but as long as the PT instructors can see you are trying then its all good, if you mess them around they will beast you into the ground, i have nothing but good things to say about the instructors at strensall they are great and just want to get the best out of you.

Weekend five also saw us doing our weapons handling tests (WHT) i was quite nervous and was convinced i was gonna mess it up, its mainly the safety aspects you need to get spot on for obvious reasons, i passed first time which was a good feeling. The rest of the weekend was easy going with a two mile tab to round things off.

Weekend Six was the one we were all looking forward to, basically you are in the field for the whole of Saturday and Sunday morning, lesson starts with the Sgt Major showing us how to pack the Bergen the right way, we were given four magazines and filled them all with blank rounds. We then started to patrol out of the base to a harbour area and set up our camp for the night, the Bergen's are very heavy and can take their toll on you after a while but you dig deep and keep going.

We get to a decent harbour area and set up camp, 9pm we get separated into 3 sections and begin patrols out of the camp, basically playing search and destroy, we had to find the enemy camp and attack it we were ambushed along the way which was great, firing of round after round is great, flares going off thunderflashes banging all around, great stuff.

Hours later we find the enemy camp and attack it, within a minute or so its all over and take the camp, mission accomplished. we then head back to our own camp about 3/4am getting ambushed one more time along the way.

5am were suddenly woken up as we get attacked, its still dark so I'm thumbing around trying to get my boots on, we then rush out of the camp and attack the enemy as they try to leave the area, we fire off every last blank round we have and the Sgt Major brings the exercise to an end.

We have breakfast which was very nice for a ration pack, i had beans omelet and sausages, oh and a mars bar i sneaked into my bag. 8am we pack up and head back to strensall barracks. A really excellent weekend, hard at times but enjoyable.

One weekend to go at strensall which I'm gutted about, will really miss the place and the instructors, also my platoon.

Escape & Evasion Weekend

2009-08-02T10:52:00.001-07:00

Just back from a Escape and Evasion weekend in Yorkshire, it was fantastic.

The Saturday we were in the field learning all sorts of field craft and survival techniques including fire lighting, catching and cooking food, building good shelters etc.

We had the pleasure of the SAS reserves being there for the night time escape and evasion session, there were to hunt us down and they did a very good job.

9pm we were suddenly interrupted by a loud bang as the SAS and the senior officers burst upstairs into our barn we were sleeping in, split us into teams of three, stripped of all things useful and dumped miles away in the woods, all we had was a map and compass.

We managed to dodge all the flares and got to the first checkpoint, an hour or so later we were close to checkpoint two when the SAS lads out of nowhere were suddenly in front of us and we found ourselves captured, i wont go into much detail about what happened next but an hour or so later we were released and about two hours later we completed the task.

Very enjoyable, and rough at times, but would recommend it to anyone.

Weekend Four

2009-08-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

Weekend four was quite uneventful, it seems to be getting easier the more i do. Mainly focusing on weapons handling training, a little bit of PT which was a game of none stop cricket, basically you have the bat and you keep batting until your out but its at a fast pace, good fun.

The moaners are still there, cant believe they are only between 17 and 22 but the moaning is becoming pathetic, whats the point of being there if they don't like it, god help there unit if they pass their training and get deployed on operations in Afghanistan. never mind.

My next training weekend is four weeks away, the RTC (recruit training centre) is close throughout August, so I've joined the Gym to keep me busy until then.

Weekend Three (i think)

2009-07-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Getting confused about how many official weekends I've done now so i`ll call this weekend three, didn't really do a great deal on this weekend, Saturday we did more weapons training, stripping the rifle down etc, also learning the prone position etc.

Then we had our first real drill lesson which was great, learning to march is more tricky than i thought, but great fun.

After that we had the mother of all PT session which was in the gym doing sit ups, push ups etc basically there were about 20 different exercises placed around the gym and we had to do around 30 seconds on each section, harder than it sounds trust me.

Sunday we did more drill and its starting to sink in now, we know most words of command etc. and to finish of the day we had a four mile run at the PTI`s pace, easy.

This weekend is my weekend four (i think) looking forward to it. Watch this space.

Weekend Two Basic Training

2009-06-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

Firstly i apologise for the late update, better late than never. Well weekend two of my basic training was great, the weekend started with my usual nervousness as i pack my kit bag on the Friday, as i wasn't sure what to expect i just packed every item i was issued, this made the bag very heavy, i will not be doing that again. What i didn't know then was that your unit should give you the program for your weekend so you know what you will be doing and therefore you know what kit to pack. You should ALWAYS take your PT kit, and make sure you have proper running shoes, not fancy fashion trainers but proper running shoes, you can ask at your local sports store if you are unsure.

6pm i get picked up, we then make two more stops picking up other recruits along the way, including one young lass who is about to do her selection weekend, she reminds me of how i was before my selection weekend (RSW) she was nervous and worried about the 1.5mile run, i give her as much advice as i can and tell her to just be herself and enjoy the weekend.

We arrive at the barracks at around 10pm i show the new female recruit where she should go and wish her luck, i then log in and pick up my sheets and make my way to the block where i`ll be for the weekend, amazingly I'm sharing a room with three of the lads i went through my selection weekend with which was great, they are from the Nottingham area and are great lads, also in my room is a Sunderland fan (yuk) and a young lad who is already moaning about a `ingrown toenail` it annoys the crap out of me when i hear people moan on these training weekends, its simple really if you don't want to be there don't come in the first place, you are being trained to be a British Soldier stop moaning and get on with it.

Up at 5am showered and in uniform for 5.45am it was the only night we would spend in the block as we were to camp out in the woods to be shown how to put up a basher etc (shelter) and how to use and cook items from your ration pack. Excellent.

6am breakfast, all the yummy bacon sausages etc swimming in saturated fat great stuff! were then taken to the armoury where we are issued with the SA80 assault rifle, i was over the moon to get my hands on one of these, i was surprised at how light they are, the next few hours we are taught how to strip the rifle down, and again I'm surprised at how few parts actually make this rifle work, its so easy to do. We are then marched to the kit bays and issued with a Bergen, and webbing, the webbing has two large pockets for your mess tin and water bottle, word of advice, keep your water bottle filled with water at all times, thirsty work playing action man you know.

We`re then told the unwelcome news that we are to do the 1.5mile run again so we change into our PT kit and are marched to the gym, where the PT instructors await us. We do the usual 800 metre warm up at the instructors pace then form up at the starting line, here we go again i thought to myself as the whistle went, i was confident of beating my time i set on the selection weekend, second lap however a young lad was struggling so i push him along, this slowed me down as i was four seconds slower than my selection weekend run. Gutted.

After the run we get changed back into our combats and taken for another lesson on the SA80 this rifle is great and i cant wait for weekend six when i get to fire it. Then were fully packed up and taken to the woods where we`l set up camp and spend the night, first we rummage thru our 24hr ration packs as if it was Christmas, each ration pack contains around 3000 calories, there are daytime meals and breakfasts, tea, coffee, whitener, sweets, chocolate, juice etc all in a ration pack i was unlucky to get a chicken tikka meal with rice, so i had the bacon ommelette and beans breakfast meal for tea, and in the morning had chocolate pudding for breakfast.

Setting up the basher is simple you have some bungee cord, you fasten them to two trees then fasten the cord to the shelter to hold it up at an angle, you then put your sleeping Matt's on the floor under the shelter and put your sleeping bag on the Matt, i can tell you I'm scared of spiders so wasn't looking forward to sleeping in the open, however it was very comfortable more so infact then the beds back in the block.

5am were all up and cooking breakfast on our little stoves, oh i forgot to mention, Sir snore alot was there again and i had the misfortune to build my shelter right next to his, surely there must be a cure for snoring it was so loud i think it scared the sheep in the adjacent field. Never mind.

Well i think i got about 3 hours sleep in the woods, we pack up all our gear grab our rifles, which we had to sleep with, and head back to the barracks, there we are shown more rifle lessons, how to fill the magazine with bullets etc. Then the PT instructors tell us to get into our PT kit for another run, this time we are taken to a field and we run around in a larger circle doing all types of weird warm ups, then the instructor, who happens to look like Daniel Craig (James bond) takes us for a run around the outside of the field, a few push ups and that's it, quite enjoyable really. We then get taken back to the gym and change into our uniforms once more (without being allowed a shower i must add) then its time for final parade where all the new recruits stand on the drill square (car park) and prizes are handed out for best recruit, runner up and most improved recruit, this is for those who have just completed their final weekend of basic training, it was nice to see a female win most improved recruit, you could see the pride all over her face, amazing.

Final parade over we are free to go, i make my way to the car park where our transport is and meet up with the young lass on her selection weekend she has a large smile as she passed her run in about 12Min's, great stuff.

A great weekend, I'm looking forward to my next one which should be next week.

First Training Weekend

2009-06-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Well just about to go on my first training weekend with the TA, I'm really looking forward to it, a bit nervous too. Not sure if I've got all my kit, soon find out.

Not sure what to expect, I've been given no list of things to take or any info on the things i`ll be doing. Never mind. The weather aint going to be as hot as it has been lately so thats a bonus.

Will update the blog on Monday and give you all the details of my experiences good and bad, hopefully good.

Finally

2009-06-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

After the long wait i finally swore allegiance and am now a proud member of the Territorial Army, now the hard work begins starting this weekend with a training session. Will post more details soon.

Judgement Day

2009-06-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

Another quick update...

Well finally my references have been delivered to where they should have been weeks ago, I've now ended up with three. Nevermind.

Tonight is make or break i think, i am to meet the main recruitment person at the units HQ for this part of the country and if all goes to plan i shall be attested and have my uniform.

Its been a stressful time since my selection weekend, i just want to get on with the training etc so fingers crossed tonight is the night it all falls into place.

Waiting Game.....

2009-06-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Just a very quick update..................

I hate waiting, one of my references hasn't arrived at HQ yet so i cant progress any further till it does.

Army Photographer

2009-06-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update..As I'm trying to join the Royal Logistic Corp (RLC) there are plenty of trades to choose from, including a Army Photographer, seeing as tho photography is my hobby if I'm selected to join then I'm going to try for that job.

Check out this clip, a day in the life of a Army Photographer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=rhAD06bGeRs

Weekend @ Strensall

2009-06-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

Back from a great weekend at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in york, and I'm aching from top to bottom. We left at 6pm on Friday, having to stop to pick up a few other lads along the way we got to the barracks at around 10pm. This was a busy time for the instructors booking everyone in, not just the 100 new potential recruits but all the other newbies on phase one and phase two basic training, all this on top of the regulars who stay at the barracks, it is a busy place.

The barracks cover a large area, there are buildings everywhere if i was dumped in the middle somewhere i`d get lost.

So i get there at around 10pm, unload my stuff from the mini bus, start to get nervous when i realise this is now reality, all the new PRs (potential recruits) are lined up along side a shed/hut thing, inside awaits a rather stressed looking officer checking each recruit of on a huge list as we walk thru, we are given a blue bib with a number on i was number 18, some sheets and a pillow case.

Were then taken to the accommodation block where we are to call home for the time being. These blocks are cheap and nasty blocks with the only luxury being the showers. The beds were old metal framed beds with springs keeping it together, the mattress was a thin thing wrapped in a plastic cover, very basic, but not too uncomfortable. we all scramble to make our beds before the midnight `lights out` order. I have a PR beside me who starts to moan and complain, already!

Saturday Morning..Up at 6am straight in the showers, didn't have a good sleep as one of the lads snored, this was extreme snoring, i had both hands clamped against both ears and i could still hear him, each room had at least 9 people in, just unlucky we ended up with sir snore-alot.

Outside the block in three ranks at 6.45am. Were greeted by a member of the parachute regiment, i start to get nervous thinking he`s our instructor, but he`s there finding potential new recruits for the paras, he has 6 lads with him who are para recruits, these guys are in a different league all together, bigger stronger fitter. But as i was to find out, some of the most decent people you`ll ever meet. One of them is a 23 year old lad from New Zealand, nickname Kiwi, now if i had the fitness and strength of this guy i`d be a happy man. Over 6ft, muscles everywhere, he was in the New Zealand army, trained with the New Zealand SAS and that wasn't enough of a challenge so he came to England to join the Paras.

Breakfast was great, the army encourage you to eat proper meals, so breakfast was a plate of sausages and bacon, beans and coffee, oh and fryed toast, all swimming in saturated fat, but very very enjoyable, high in calories to keep you going til lunch.

After breakfast we were quick marched to a area outside the gym, where a gym beam thing awaited us, here we were instructed to jump up grab the beam and do as many chin ups as possible, three lads at a time, i kept going till the other two dropped off then dropped down myself, easy.

From there we were quick marched to the medical block where our medicals were carried out, this consisted of a hearing test, eye test, blood test, urine sample, and a strip to your boxers in front of a doctor test. easy.

We lost 6 people at this stage, they failed the medical and failed the selection process.

From there we went alongside the live firing range, which was very loud, to a shed/hut thing inside was things that looked like they were better placed in a torture chamber, first test in here was a pelvic test, what they do is strap you in this thing and you have to push your pelvis into it as much as possible so they get a reading to see how strong your pelvis/back etc it. very difficult to put alot of pressure on it. Then they put you in the stress position, you have to then lift a weight that is attached to a sensor. then a few weight lifting tests. Needless to say the Kiwi broke every record in the place.

Then we were taken to one of the many car parks, here there were cones lined up with Jerry cans filled with water. We had to take a Jerry can in each hand and walk with the PTI (personal training instructor) a certain distance, i have a good grip and found this easy.

Then we had a BARB test, just a simple test on a touch screen computer, my 11 yr old nephew could have done this test. easy.

Then it was Lunchtime, more yummy fatty food. Outside the lunch hall one of the para guys decides to back chat the PTI and is given 20 press ups. another lad is caught with his hands in his pockets and is also given 20 press ups along with another lad who has his hands folded.

You meet some great people here, but also the idiots who don't own many brain cells, they are quickly routed out by the instructors, one young geordie lad is ordered to do butterfly skips all the way to the outer fence and back, twice.

After lunch we were able to go back to the block and wash up etc, then we were taken to a field for a ice breaker session, basically getting up in front of the squad and some officers to talk for five minutes about your life etc. easy.

From there we were given team tasks, basically, here is a barrel, some poles and a bit of rope, work as a team to get it from A to B without stepping on the gravel. easy.

Then finally for that day we were given a lecture on the hand grenade. everything you need to know about a hand grenade we were shown. Then its back to block, change of clothes and go to the NAFFI bar for a nice cold drink.

The biggest worry for me on this whole weekend was the 1.5mile run on the Sunday, I'm 35 yrs old and have never ran since high school, in the run up to this weekend i was taking my sisters dog out quite often along the beach and up the cliffs but never running 1.5miles. The dog is a rottwieler, she is great to take out, she seems to enjoy the running up hills part.

Anyway its Sunday morning, 6am, I'm shattered as sir snore-alot did his usual routine of keeping everyone awake again. I'm also dehydrated, i only had one bottle of bud the night before. 6.45am off to the breakfast, i eat as many sausages and eggs as possible. Then were taken to the place we were taught about the hand grenade the night before, here we were tested on how much information we were able to retain. easy.

Then the bit i was dreading most, the 1.5mile run. to make it worse we had to do a half mile warm up. At the starting line i thought `right great plan` all i need to do is stay behind the Kiwi and i`ll make it around in the time needed, didn't happen that way, the run started, the para`s were off like a shot, no chance of keeping up with them crazy guys. I paced myself for the first mile then picked it up a bit, my lungs were wanting to jump out and slap me, my mouth was dry my legs were sore, this made me realise how unfit i am and made me more determined to get better, i had a boost when i saw one of the para`s drop out due to a calf muscle injury, i could see the finish line so started sprinting as fast as i could and completed the run in 11minutes, and passed the run test.

Then we were away to the showers, and then taken to the NAFFI bar for some light refreshments. At 13.45pm we had final parade where prizes were handed out to best new recruit and most improved recruit. this was for the phase 1 and phase 2 training. Finally the weekend ended and we were given a goody bag each full of fruit, biscuits water chocolate etc.

I passed the weekend, and have been booked into another weekend later this month, i have one more thing to pass, which is a selection interview with a commanding officer, i hope to get selected, i want this more than ever.

Quick Post....

2009-05-29T03:36:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post, its 11.30am on friday, just packing my stuff for the selection weekend, i leave at 6pm. The nerves are starting to wobble now, its like going for a job interview but ten times more.

The next time i post on here it will be monday with all the weekends news on how i got on.

Where Shall i Begin...

2009-05-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well my Training and selection weekend is finally here, this weekend, 29th - 31st may, is going to be proberly the most important weekend of my life so far. I am to spend the weekend with the Territorial Army somewhere in the UK, for security reasons i will not go into too much detail on this blog, names, locations etc, not only for personal reasons but it could break the rules of the armed forces.

Im very much looking forward to it, a bit nervous too but i shall give it my all, the bit i am going to find the hardest is the 1.5 mile run im 35 yrs old and the last time i did long distance running was back at high school when we were on cross country. Some Family members dont seem to be taking an interest, on the other hand friends have taken a big interest, my boss at work is happy for me to be doing this, he is an ex TA soldier so understands why i would like to do this.

Others who i talk to just ask WHY, why at the age of 35 years old would you want to try and join the Army, well i have many answers for that question, one of them being that i have two kids who i cant see thanks to their stubborn self centred mothers, the Child Support Agency (CSA) are hounding me into an early grave, thanks again to my childrens mothers. People who know me know that all ive wanted in life is to be a father, i love my kids, i want to be with my kids, i would give anything to be a full time father to them. It hurts a hell of alot when i cant see them. that is one reason.

Other reasons are just as simple as i need a new challenge in life, i have no direction in my life at the moment, im going around in circles, the Army will give me a new direction, something new to get stuck into, yes it will be tough but i know im mentally tough, ive been thru hell and back in my life and i`ll give this one chance to finally do something positive 100%.

You can follow my progress on this blog, hopefully i will go far and proudly pass out at the end of my training, but i shouldnt jump that far ahead just yet as this weekend will decide if i have a future in the armed forces.

Here is a taster of what im expecting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=T1D9zkHKXFQ