Army Reserve Quarterly: Spring 2015

Army Reserve Quarterly: Spring 2015
In this Issue
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•
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•
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Offers for Reservists
Training in USA, Kenya, Jordan and Belize
Adventurous Training
Welfare Services
Support for Students
Army Sport and Fitness
The Army Reserve
A Life Less Ordinary
01
F
rom the sands of Arabia,
through the scrub of Africa,
to the jungles of America,
this edition of ARQ is a
snapshot of just some of the
work of the Army Reserve across
the world.
But it also has an important role within
local communities.
The Army Reserve is very much of the
people and with the people.This can be
seen in many local schemes to help groups
such as young people and the jobless
reported in this ARQ. The links between
Army Reserve units and the surrounding
communities reflects the history of the
citizen soldier in each town and village, and
it is from such local bonds that support for
the Army, and recruits to the Army Reserve
will flourish.
As the nation marks fifty years since
the death of Sir Winston Churchill, who
served in the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire
Hussars, a Reserve unit, it is worth
remembering his description of those who
serve in the Reserves as Twice A Citizen.
And from April this year Army Reservists
will be twice a pensioner. The decision to
contribute to pensions for Reservists is a very
welcome recognition of the value of Reserve
service. For those who do the minimum of
19 or 27 days a year the pension will not
fund a champagne lifestyle, but with many
Reservists giving hundreds of days each year
to the Crown it is a significant improvement
in terms of service. This April will also see
holiday pay being given to Army Reservists
for the second year, at one day’s pay for
every ten days served.
These measures are a just recognition of
the importance of Army Reserve service
to Queen and Country.
The Media Operations Group do their Combat Fitness Test.
Left, Lt Claire Jackson Right, Major General Ranald Munro
T
The Editor
[email protected]
Like what you read and not in the
Army Reserve?
he Army Reserve is recruiting
and hundreds of different roles are
available across the country, including
accountants, bodyguards, cooks, drivers,
engineers ... It is not just about combat roles
although everyone is a soldier first.
You can use existing civilian skills or do something
completely different. You get paid, expenses are met,
and the minimum commitment starts at 19 days a year
although the norm is 27.
There are paid opportunities to travel across the world to
train, do adventurous training, and play sport.
As a member of the Army Reserve you have the
opportunity to enjoy some extraordinary experiences,
gain lifelong friendships and develop new skills that will
benefit you in your day-to-day life.
ARQ Spring 2015
02
The Scottish
and North Irish
Yeomanry (SNIY)
is the British
Army’s newest
regiment, and it
is manned by the
Army Reserve.
SNIY
is a combat
unit mounted
in lightly
armoured Land Rover vehicles
fitted with heavy weapons, and
charged with the Army’s new
‘Light Cavalry’ role, whose aim is
to find, understand and influence
on the battlefield, fighting to get
information about enemy forces if
required to do so.
The new unit takes on the proud heritage
of the Lothians and Border Yeomanry, Ayrshire
(Earl of Carrick's Own) Yeomanry, North Irish
Horse, Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and the
Scottish Horse.
Its soldiers and officers have already
been involved in a variety of overseas
operations and exercises, including
Afghanistan, Cyprus, and the USA, as
well as adventurous training in Dorset
and skiing in Val D’Isere.
The unit deployed to Germany for an
overseas training exercise with their paired
regular regiment The Royal Scots Dragoon
Guards (Scots DG) who are based in
Fallingbostel Garrison.
Exercise First Wolf provided both
regiments with the opportunity to conduct
fully integrated collective training with the
aim of developing a best practice model
for future combined training exercises and
potential deployments.
ARQ Spring 2015
The soldiers began the exercise
with a period of familiarisation
before proceeding onto Hohne
ranges to conduct a number of live
firing drills designed to assess their
gunnery efficiency and execute battle
procedures on the vehicles - all part of their
Annual Crews Test.
Corporal Danny Donald, based in Fife
said: “My main aim when I joined the
Reserves was to experience things
that I could not in a civilian job and to
travel. I have learnt to drive with the
reserves which I now do for a living and
recently travelled to North Carolina on
an exchange visit to see how American
troops train.”
03
Wolf
Howl
The Army gets a New Regiment
Photos by Mark Owens and Major Wendy Faux
A Landrover WMIK (Weapon Mounted
Installation Kit) of the SNIY along with a
Jackal from The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
(rear) at the official launch of the Regiment at
Edinburgh Castle last November
ARQ Spring 2015
04
The new unit’s
tactical recognition flash
ARQ Spring 2015
05
SNIY training
in Germany
and the UK
ARQ Spring 2015
06
The Army Reserve
and Young People
by Lieutenant Colonel Andy Black
I
am excited to explain firstly
how the 'Tactical Engineering
Development Scheme' (TEDS)
has delivered real results and
secondly how the programme
has changed to become the 'Armed
Forces Employment Pathways'
(AFEP), which works in direct
partnership with employers to
yield unprecedented outcomes.
The main aim behind
the scheme is to encourage
unemployed young people
into a career building
programme, to provide
the motivation for them
to 'get up and get started'.
ARQ Spring 2015
Redcar and Cleveland, located on the
coast of Teesside, has a higher than National
average figure for young people categorised
as NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or
Training). In 2013, 102 Battalion working
with the local authority, and with funding
from the Community Covenant and Prince's
Charities, delivered the first course in Redcar.
The early TEDS courses used a buggy
as a basic engineering model to encourage
participation in build and learn activities,
using military ethos to develop confidence,
leadership, and communication whilst linking
with important numeracy and literacy skills.
In Jan 2014, to maximise attendance and
minimise those leaving the course mid-way
through, we came up with a consolidated
course run over five days, based at Wathgill
Camp in Catterick.
07
We also expanded the offer of an
engineering experience by providing a range of
practical activities designed around the REME
trade groups, those being Vehicle Mechanic,
Recovery Mechanic, Armourer and Metalsmith.
In March 2014, TEDS 4 was delivered over
five long days, now incorporating clay pigeon
shooting, buggy building, driving across
Catterick training area, careers discussions with
REME tradesmen and a demonstration of heavy
vehicle recovery.
The acid test...from 32 starting the
course, from as far as Newcastle, Gateshead,
Leeds, Tees Valley, ... all 32 completed the
week, with a third expressing their interest in
either Regular or Reserve service.
In November 2014, 102 Battalion REME
were asked by 15 (North East) Brigade to
contribute to a substantially enhanced course
called the ' Armed Forces Employment
Pathways' (AFEP). A six week course, with
week one being delivered by the Army and
weeks two-to-six delivered by employers.
What I believe is really exciting is that this
truly links communities, employers, and the
Army with youth engagement, galvanised on
a common thread, 'supporting young people
into work'.
If you're an employer, in the north of
England reading this, I encourage you to find
out more (email [email protected]) I fully
believe this is a model that will sweep across
the country. If you're an employee reading this
I ask you to put this in front of your employer.
What I believe is really exciting is
that this truly links communities,
employers, and the Army with
youth engagement, galvanised
on a common thread,
'supporting young people into work'.
“A massive thank you to 102 Battalion REME for the fantastic
Look At Life week. I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot during my short
time with you. Keep on doing the amazing work that you're best at!”
Stephen Grealis
“Great experience, recommended to anyone who is interested in the
army and what a great set of people, one big family!”
Callum Casselden
“This week was awesome and it’s now safe to say I will be joining as an
armourer in 102 Battallion REME. Got beasted but couldn’t have done
it without the support from the boys and girls in our team and all the
information that the staff had to offer throughout the course so I would
like to say a massive thank you.”
Matty Grant Milne.
ARQ Spring 2015
08
Pensions for the
Army Reserve
Information from the Forces Pension Society
O
n 1 April 2015 a new
Armed Forces Pension
Scheme is to be introduced
- AFPS15 and Army
Reservists will be automatically
part of it. Contributions will be
in addition to pay. The pension is
not instead of Bounty - MOD has
confirmed that the payment of the
Bounty will remain in place.
AFPS 15 works on a principle called
Career Averaging, which lends itself well to
all types of Armed Forces service including
service with the Army Reserve. This article
is aimed at members of the Army Reserve
including those who are currently members
of the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme (RFPS)
because of full time service or additional
duties commitment.
There is a two year ‘vesting period’.
This means that, in order to qualify for
member and dependants’ benefits, you need
to complete two calendar years’ service. Time
within the last five years as a member of RFPS
will count towards this vesting period (and the
RFPS benefits accrued by those transferring to
AFPS 15 on 1 April 2015 will be protected).
Army Reserve personnel who have
received their Bounty in the two years
prior to becoming AFPS 15 members, will
vest automatically.
The pension builds up at a rate of 1/47th
of pensionable pay for each year of service. So,
for example, a Corporal in the Army Reserve
who received £2,162 for his attendances in
2015/16 would have earned a pension of £46.
If, in the following year his Army Reserve
earnings reflect an operational tour and
increase to £22,764,the pension he earns
for that year would be £484.34. The first
year’s pension is then increased by Average
Earnings and added to this £484.34. And so
the calculation goes on, increasing earlier
ARQ Spring 2015
years by Average Earnings and adding the
latest year’s pension earned.
AFPS 15 pensions are immediately
payable at age 60 if the individual serves
to that age. If he or she leaves before
age 60 the pension is deferred until their
state pension age. However, the deferred
pension may be claimed as early as age
55 but the actuary will reduce it to take
account of the fact that it will be in
payment for longer.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
(HMRC) rules currently state that age 55 is
the earliest age at which a pension may be
paid, except in the case of medical retirement.
Those who are medically discharged will
get benefits based on the severity of their
condition. If an individual dies in service, his or
her nominated beneficiary will receive a lump
sum of four times his FPS.
There is no automatic lump sum in
AFPS 15 but part of the pension can be
surrendered to create one.
When a member dies, their surviving
spouse, civil partner or eligible partner
will receive a pension of 62.5% of the
member’s pension entitlement for life.
An eligible partner is someone who is
living with the member (same sex or opposite
sex) and is financially dependent upon or
interdependent with the member. If you
have an eligible partner, it is a good idea
to nominate them to receive your death in
service lump sum as it will help Defence
Business Services to establish a financial tie
with between them and you after your death
Eligible children will be entitled to
pensions until they are age 18 or, if they
are still in full time education or vocational
training, up to age 23. If a child is unable
to undertake gainful employment due to a
mental or physical disability suffered before
age 23 a pension is payable for life.
The Forces Pension Society
If you find the information daunting and
you are a member of the Forces Pension
Society, you can call our dedicated help
line on 020 7735 0110 or find answers
on the Society’s web site.
If you are not yet a member, the
cost is modest and benefits (in addition
to advice from an expert) include
discounts on a range of useful products
and services and the assurance that a
dedicated organisation, independent of
the Government, is there to help you
get the most from your Armed Forces
pension. For more information,
go to www.ForcesPensionSociety.org.
09
Photos: 144 Parachute
Medical Squadron on exercise
An Example
This example shows three years’ pension earnings,
with earlier years being increased by an assumed 2.5%
Average Earnings increase.
Example:
2015/16 pension earned = £46. Average Earnings
increase = £1.15. £46 + £1.15 = £47.15.
2016/17 pension earned = £484.34. (this reflects his
much higher earnings during his operational tour)
Total pension earned at the end of 2016/17 =
£47.15 + £484.34 = £531.49.
2017/18 pension earned = 1/47 of £2,232.50 = £47.50
Pension at the end of 2016/17 is increased by
Average Earnings = £531.49 + £13.29 = £544.78
The new total pension at the end of 2018/18 =
£544.78 + £47.50 = £592.28
ARQ Spring 2015
11
Minister
Targets
Rifles
K
een to see how Army
Reserve recruiting is
progressing, Minister
for Reserves, Mr Julian
Brazier, visited 7 Rifles at their
Davies Street Barracks in London.
The Minister spoke to some potential
recruits and recruiters, as well as
watching training.
As a former Army Reservist, the
Minister could not resist having a shoot
on the range.
Lance Corporal Michael Filgate, a
financial advisor from Henley on Thames,
has been with 7 Rifles for eight years. He
told ARQ: “We were pleased to meet and
chat with the Minister who was keen to
have a chance to fire on the range, we
gave him his score card to take away, he
did pretty well.”
The battalion recruits in London and
along the M4 and M40 corridors.
Check
Mates
Combined Services
Chess Association
T
he association exists to promote
chess in the services; all service
personnel, reserves, and MOD
civil servants are eligible to join the
association and to play in our annual
championship.
This year it will take place in Kineton
Station, Warwickshire, 21-25 May.
Full details can be found in DIN2015
DIN10-07, Or contact [email protected].
Former SAS Officer Julian Brazier
keeps his hand in
12
13
Sappers
at the Proms
W
arrington’s Proms in the Park was launched
by the Army Reserve some 10 years ago
and continues to bring together the local
Reservist unit, now 75 Engineer Regiment,
with the local population. In 2014 the event was held
in collaboration with Warrington Council, giving the
Army even greater exposure as well as raising money for
three very worthy charities; The Army Benevolent Fund,
Combat Stress and a local charity, St Rocco’s Hospice.
Moving to a bigger venue, the event was well attended
by thousands of local residents. Entertainment was provided
by The Band of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and The
Warrington Pipe band and topping the bill was local mezzo
soprano Danielle Louise Thomas.
14
Go to School
with NATO
T
he North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation (NATO) school
at Oberammergau (NSO) in
Germany offers a variety
of courses bringing together
Reservists from across the 28
member countries.
The website www.natoschool.nato.int
contains full details, and applications
should be made through your unit.
Courses are open to Officers and
Non-Commissioned Officers, and are either
residential (usually one week) or available
on-line.
Two particularly relevant courses are
the Senior Reserve Officer's course which
prepares officers for NATO operations,
and the Reserve Forces Integration
Course for junior officers which looks at
the roles and doctrines of Reserve Forces
across the alliance.
Employer
engagement:
Employers visiting their employees
who were serving with the
United Nations in Cyprus
ARQ Spring 2015
15
Sappers
in the
Sand
by Sapper Eddie Joseph
Sapper Eddie Joseph of 131
Independent Commando Squadron
provided close engineer support
to Royal Marines on Exercise Jebel
Dagger in Jordan.
Protecting the camp. (Left Spr Joseph)
W
e reached our desert
placement late at night
and established a camp
with the vehicles. The camp had
been sited on a flat plain surrounded
by jagged, rocky terrain. Gusts of
wind blew up great clouds of dust
that nearly choked us, and found its
way into all our kit.
The next morning we set about
putting up tents. Supplies arrived
throughout the day and night.
This work, along with constructing the
water tank and guarding the camp
continued beneath the hot desert sun.
Engineering plant at work
ARQ Spring 2015
16
The camp constructed for
Exercise Jebel Dagger in Jordan
ARQ Spring 2015
17
The Monastery, Petra
The temperature dropped dramatically at night
and as we patrolled the perimeter our night
vision goggles gave the desolate landscape an
eerie glow.
Range days were started and instructors
taught us how to read signs and spoor left
by enemy movement in the sand. We learned
ground sign awareness, engine maintenance
and vehicle recovery in a desert environment.
When Arabic lessons became available I eagerly
signed up.
Our section provided demonstrations for
medical training and mine clearance lessons.
We used our own time to keep fit, and the
cultural advisor gave us briefs on subjects such
as the formation and history of the Middle East
and the Arab Spring.
We were also taken to Petra - a city
literally carved from sandstone cliffs.
It was a fantastic place with monuments
rising up the sides of the canyon. It
began life as Nabataean tombs, and
has since played host to Romans,
venturesome Crusaders - and now some
portly tourists.
Next morning we rotated with the section
producing potable water at Aqaba, next to the
crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. It made a
welcome change from the desert. Three of us
Sappers were then called back to participate in
a vertical assault course.
We practiced the Commando skills of
ascending and descending steep faces and
cliffs with weapons and equipment. At night
the Royal Marines practiced live firing in the
distance, tracers and flares going off across the
desert, lighting up the sky like fireworks.
We then moved into our special-to-arm
package that consisted mainly of demolitions
and urban combat training. We spent the
days practising compound clearance, using
explosive charges to gain entry into buildings.
Concentration and attention to detail were
vital. Nothing compares to the feeling of a
breaching charge exploding a couple of yards
away from you as you prepare to assault
a building.
A navigation exercise then took place,
yomping up to heights of 4,265 ft. At each
high point we tackled tests, including
judging distance, map reading and medical
training that tested patient care and
evacuation technique.
The following days were spent building
a culvert to redirect flash flood water from a
road, and we worked like Trojans to build a
protective fencing around another camp in
what felt like record time.
It had been an enthralling escapade
and I was happy to be home - but I can’t
help wondering what adventure awaits
us next.
Practise in clearing a minefield
Nothing compares
to the feeling
of a breaching
charge exploding
a couple of yards
away from you
as you prepare to
assault a building.
ARQ Spring 2015
18
This opportunity to have these fine folks
from Liverpool and Newcastle here has put us
over the moon and made us so proud.
Leading on the White horse is Cpl Lynsey
Crichton RLC, a chef with 208 Fd Hosp,
followed by Capt Gill Fitzgerald QARANC
a Nursing Officer with 208
California I
Trainin'
On Such a Winter’s Day
Photos: Sgt Steve Blake RLC
n recent years Field Hospital
training has focused around the
purpose-built British military
hospital at Camp Bastion, in
Afghanistan, but the Royal Army
Medical Corps is now ensuring that
it is fully prepared to treat the sick
and injured under canvas, at short
notice, anywhere in the world.
As part of this, Army Reserve medics
from across the North of England have been
training for the first time with colleagues
from the US Navy in sun-drenched California.
Exercise Integrated Serpent saw around
200 soldiers from 201 (Northern) and 208
(Liverpool) Field Hospitals travel to the US Naval
Expeditionary Medical Training Institute at
Camp Pendleton, San Diego, where they were
put through their paces in an exercise designed
to test their new post-Afghanistan role.
In civilian life most of the Reservists work
for the NHS in roles as varied as specialist
nurses, physiotherapists and anaesthetists
- each bringing valuable specialist skills and
experience to the Army Medical Service.
But, unlike in the NHS, Army
medics must know how to build
their own hospital from scratch.
Capt Janet Jordan works on simulated casualty Maj Mike Brownsell
ARQ Spring 2015
19
Capt Mel Bailey climbing instructor
Captain Zak Nathan of 208 Field
Hospital, a trainee GP working at Blackpool
Victoria Hospital, explained: “We started
with all of the kit in bags and put all of
the tents up ourselves with help from
our colleagues in the US Navy. Once we’d
brought the medical equipment in we’d
got an operational Field Hospital on
what was a completely bare site.
This is really important because it’s the
kind of equipment we’re likely to use on
future operations.”
The 17 bed Field Hospital was home
to a casualty reception area, an intensive
care unit, an operating theatre, a ward and
a laboratory as well as everything needed
for staff to live on site. It was also capable
of being sealed so as to treat casualties of
chemical,
biological and nuclear warfare.
Training for chemical environments
UK medics must be able to
erect the hospital anywhere in the
world within 16 hours and offer
life-saving treatment immediately.
Corporal Sara Palmer works as an accident
and emergency nurse at County Durham and
Darlington NHS Trust, and performs a similar
role at 201 Field Hospital: “We received
various levels of simulated casualties - the
kind you’d expect to see in a warzone
with specific training related to chemical,
biological and nuclear warfare.”
Captain Patrick Paul, of the US Navy’s
Medical Service Corps, who runs the Naval
Expeditionary Medical Training Institute at
Camp Pendleton said: “This is the first time
we’ve hosted a large scale focus on medical
elements from our two nations. From my
experience in Afghanistan I know that
our UK partners are just top notch. This
opportunity to have these fine folks from
Liverpool and Newcastle here has put us
over the moon and made us so proud.”
After the demands of Camp Pendleton
there was time set aside for adventure
training. For some this was kayaking,
climbing and horse-riding in Nevada’s Spring
Mountains for others camping and trekking
in the Grand Canyon.
Capt Thomas, 201 (N) Fd Hosp.works works with the Americans
ARQ Spring 2015
21
Quadzilla
U
nemployed young adults
in the London Borough of
Redbridge enjoyed a two
week engineering and life
skills course which culminated in the
building of four wheeled buggies
known as Quadzillas.
The course was run by 217 Field Squadron
Royal Engineers and 29 Royal Electrical and
Mechanical Engineers workshops in support
of Redbridge’s Job Centre Plus,
ARQ Spring 2015
22
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ARQ Spring 2015
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23
M
embers of 299
Parachute Squadron
Royal Engineers took
part in the building of a
football pitch and completed other
engineering tasks around a school
in central Kenya close to the main
town of Nanyuki.
Tetu School is home to 236 pupils with an
age range of 5 to 14 years old. Most of whom
are orphans who have very little in the way of
personal possessions and certainly the school
has very little to challenge or entertain the kids.
During the initial look around, Private
Emma Johnson and Sapper Jordan Themeras
handed out sweets to the pupils and joined
in with a sing along that brought a ray of
sunshine on a day that the heavens opened up
and rain of biblical proportions came down.
The Army undertakes many projects like
this leaving something that contributes to
the welfare of less fortunate locals. The 299
Para Sqn RE contingent are very proud of our
contribution and will remember Tetu School
for years to come.
Tetu School
Soldiers
Back to
School
Captain Jon Thompson,
Royal Engineers
Working on the school building
Private Emma Johnson
and Sapper Jordan Themeras
ARQ Spring 2015
25
Military
Memories
at Monte Cassino
Sgt Travis lays the Regimental Wreath
at the Polish War Graves
by Corporal Wayne Gee 202 Fd Sqn RE
O
n arrival in Italy Frank De
Planta De Wildenberg,
the excellent guide, gave
us a brief at the side of
Route 6 which is the main highway
from Southern Italy to Rome. He
orientated us to the main features of
the area and to how the surrounding
mountains called the Appennines
form the Leary Valley and would
play a significant role in the allies’
efforts to liberate Italy in the four
battles of Monte Cassino.
On the first full day it was an early start
driving high into the mountains to the south of
Cassino. Half way up we got off the coach and
walked down an unassuming track to a place
known as Hove Dump. This was away from the
Germans view up on the valleys high points
and which the allies used as a stores dump
and constructed a road using explosives over
two days that could be trafficked by jeep and
donkeys up to the font line.
After lunch we drove to the Polish
cemetery which is huge and on a slope near
Cassino Monastery. Many Polish died in their
efforts to capture the high point 593, Frank
told us how the Polish army was formed and
trained in Iraq after the fall of Poland to the
Germans and Russians.
Much can be learned by todays
soldiers by studying the battle
of the past, and 75 Engr Regt
visited Italy to examine the
events surrounding a famous
engineering achievement,
the bridging of the Rapido.
Monte Cassino Town memorial.
This is the only reference to the War left on display in the town
ARQ Spring 2015
26
Here we held a service and laid a
wreath before moving on to the British and
Commonwealth cemetery where we each got
given a cross or poppy to lay at the grave of a
soldier who gave his life before laying a wreath
and short service.
ARQ Spring 2015
The following day we visited Cassino
Monastery itself which had been rebuilt after
being destroyed by allied bombing. We later
moved to the river Rapido to see where the
British constructed a Bailey bridge under
heavy fire which was instrumental in breaking
the German lines of defence better known in
Corps history as Amazon bridge.
After Cassino was destroyed the
Germans retreated to the Hitler Line, their
second line of defence six miles north of
Cassino to continue to defend route 6
to Rome which we visited on day three.
Here Canadians suffered large numbers of
casualties as they lead the main attack.
All in all a great battlefield study whether
it's your thing or not. Personally, I learned a lot
of stuff I never knew, and it is my thing. The
guide was outstanding with a great in-depth
knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject
and a great guy to shoot the breeze with and
really made the battlefield study. If you get the
chance, get on one! It will be worth it..!
Sapper Kim Lord 202 Fd Sqn
Listening to the guide speak with such
knowledge and passion allowed me to feel
like we were watching the battle unfold in
front of our very eyes. On the second day we
climbed the mountains to view the Liri valley,
and stepped into the footsteps of not only
British soldiers, but also some of the allies
who are not so greatly mentioned in history
as they should be - the Polish, New Zealanders
and the Indians.
I was able to appreciate the hard work
and determination that had gone into a
battle that only seemed to face horror
and death over such a beautiful landscape.
When we arrived at the last cemetery which
was overlooked by the Monastery, I felt the
sheer doom the monastery must have made
the soldiers feel as it peered over them where
they stood, and fell.
Even at the end when the allies had
succeeded in breaking through the German
defences and progressing onto Rome, for me it
felt like so many lives had been wasted due to
poor decisions.
Therefore once the guide had covered the
battle with such depth and detail, he concluded
the trip by discussing the five principles which
should be taken into account in the strategic
planning of a battle - concentration of force,
maintaining momentum, security, surprise and
finally simplicity.
27
Cpl Shaheen Ali 202 Fd Sqn
I found the most moving and poignant
moment of the Study to be our visit to the
Cassino War Cemetery and Memorial. There are 4,266 Commonwealth
servicemen of the Second World War
buried or commemorated at the Cemetery. Within the cemetery stands the
Cassino Memorial which commemorates
over 4,000 Commonwealth servicemen
who took part in the Italian campaign and
sadly whose graves are not known.
WO1 Terry Crooks 107 Fd Sqn
For many years, on the walls of RE
messes we have gazed upon copies of
the painting by the artist Terence Cuneo,
Bridging the Rapido. Many of us know little
of this depiction of a Bailey bridge being
constructed by Sappers whilst under fire,
other than it was during the campaign in
Italy and it was a bloody battle.
Spr G Gareth Zallmann 202 Fd Sqn
In this day and age it is too easy to
forget what so many did for the good
of others. It highlighted what so many
sacrificed so that other generations could
live a free life in a free world. What those
young men of 10 different nations had to
endure in such treacherous conditions of
the battle and the hardships they faced
was a reality check for us all.
They shall truly never be forgotten.
The fourth and final battle took place
between 11th-25th May 1944 and resulted
in the march towards Rome. British,
Canadian, French, Polish, South African and
American forces finally pushed the Germans
off Monte Cassino and claimed the high
ground that enabled them to move north
and link with the American forces assaulting
through Anzio.
This was the operation that involved
the crossing of the Rapido made so famous
by Mr Terence Tenison Cuneo, standing
at that river crossing point brought home
the sheer gallantry and bravery of those
Sappers involved. Nobody could possibly
imagine constructing a Bailey Bridge
under such overwhelming machine gun
and constant artillery bombardment. We
reluctantly left this area in awe and with
a feeling of great pride in what had been
achieved here in 1944.
75 Engineer Regiment
75 Engineer Regiment is based in Warrington,
Birkenhead and Manchester numbering some 296
Reservist personnel and 91 Regular soldiers, The
Regiment has a unique role providing amphibious
and logistic bridging.
View of the monastery from the Commonwealth War Graves Monte Cassino
ARQ Spring 2015
28
Mechanics
Test Their
Metal
Millions of pounds worth of the world’s
best operational vehicles and equipment
was in the hands of Army Reservists from
103 Battalion Royal Electrical
and Mechanical Engineers
(REME) during Exercise
Griffin Viper.
Craftsman Dave Williams, 128 Field Company
in Hilsea, honing his metal smith skills,
working with oxygen and acetylene
ARQ Spring 2015
29
B
ased in Ashford (Kent),
Crawley, Portsmouth and
Redhill, the unit includes
a wide variety of trades
including vehicle mechanics,
metalsmiths, armourers, recovery
mechanics and vehicle electricians.
The Reservists from 103 help carry
out the all-important role of inspection,
maintenance, modification, repair and
recovery of the Army’s equipment, all over
the world, and in all conditions.
Working with their paired regular unit
4 Battalion REME, the aim of the exercise
was to update knowledge and competency
at their specific trades, developing them as
individuals, so that they are able to mobilise
and support the Regular Army when required.
Craftsman Dave Williams is a day skipper
on the Thames and has been a member of
128 Field Company in Hilsea for two and
a half years. He used his metal-smith skills
- preparing, refurbishing, manufacturing
and restoring any metal components into a
usable state such as bent brackets or vehicle
components. He told ARQ: “I really love
it. I’m getting to work with different
metals and practicing different types of
welding. It’s not often that you’re able to
work with oxygen and acetylene as most
welding nowadays needs electric power”.
He continued “I’ve always been
interested in woodwork and model
building and this is definitely bringing
out my creative side. I’m also taking my
new skills to my day job - there is a lot
of metalwork that needs to be done on
our boat and I’ve been able to fix lots of
things with the knowledge gained from
Army training”.
Craftsman Jackie Healy, swapped
changing nappies for changing cam belts.
The mum of two who has been a Reservist
for two years, said; “In addition to learning
how to be a vehicle mechanic, I’m also
part of the Recruiting Team, encouraging
other people to join the Army Reserves
and learn new skills and gain confidence.
It’s the best thing I could have done”.
Lance Corporal Nathan Johanssen of 128
Field Company in Portsmouth is a civilian
mechanic and HGV technician. He joined
the REME because he wanted to expand his
knowledge. Having trained in mechanics
since he was 19 years old, he has worked on
practically everything mechanical; cars, boats,
lorries, vans and plant. He can now add
Challenger Tanks to the list.
Craftsman Alex Howe,
Recovery Mechanic with
150 Recovery Company,
based in Redhill
Craftsman Jackie Healy,
swapped her career in child care
for a part time role
as a vehicle mechanic
ARQ Spring 2015
30
The charity produces a superb pack
for children when their parents are
serving overseas.
David Beckham with Louise and
some of the Little Troopers
Louise and Little Troopers with
Jeremy Clarkson and Mary Berry
who presented the award
(Photo credit The Sun/
Arthur Edwards)
ARQ Spring 2015
31
A
s Army Reservists serve
across the world, a small
charity that supports
their children has won
a National Military Award for
‘Support to the Armed Forces’.
My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures
was formed four years ago, after Louise
Fetigan realised how her daughter was
struggling with her dad being posted to
Afghanistan. The charity has become a
great source of support for all children
with serving British Army soldier parent(s),
including Reserves, by providing vital
resources and events while they are
separated. The key aim is to ensure that
the bond remains between soldier and
child even though they are apart.
The charity produces a superb pack
for children when their parents are
serving overseas. It is available from
www.mydaddyisasoldieradventures.org
My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures
received the award from Mary Berry and
Jeremy Clarkson at the ‘Millies’ in the
presence of TRH the Prince of Wales and
Duchess of Cornwall. The 'Millies' are
sponsored by The Sun newspaper.
Louise, who collected the award said:
Children's
Charity is
Champion
Charity for Little Troopers
wins National ‘Millie’ award
“It was such an honour
to receive the award for
our charity. Being in an
Army family is a unique
experience for our children;
they have a lot to contend
with. We can’t stop the
loneliness children feel
when their parent is away,
but we can make them feel
safe and secure.”
Little Troopers wanted
for Jurassic Adventure
M
y Daddy is a Soldier Adventures
is asking families to join them
on a Jurassic Coast trek to raise funds
to help them continue their work.
The 9m fund raising walk will take
place on the 25th April 2015
It will take place along part of the
Jurassic Coastline, which is England’s
first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Families can choose from two
Jurassic routes:
•Diplodocus - 9m scenic cross-country
route with some hills. The trek will
end at a ropes course where the Leap
of Faith challenge will be awaiting
participants. The Diplodocus route is
suitable for children as young as seven
although the Leap of Faith is only
suitable for children over the age of
nine (depending on harness fitting).
• T-Rex Ultimate Challenge - Speed
pace 9m cross-country trek, 45ft
Leap of Faith plus a demanding
coasteering route along the Jurassic
coast (Coasteering is a physical
activity that encompasses movement
along a zone of rocky coastline on
foot or by swimming.) Participants
must be 13yrs+ and a strong swimmer.
There is a registration fee of just £20
per family (two adults and up to four
children) for this event, which covers all
the administration and set up costs. All
families will be encouraged to raise funds
for the charity through sponsorship.
For more information and to receive
a challenge pack email: fundraising@
mydaddyisasoldieradventures.org
ARQ Spring 2015
The winning photograph.
This article appears with kind permission of the editor of Sussex Life
33
ARQ Spring 2015
34
ARQ Spring 2015
35
ARQ Spring 2015
Changes to Ages
for Joining
Army Reserve
A new Army policy has extended
the maximum age limit for direct
entry to Group A units of the
Army Reserves to 50 years.
37
T
he increased age limit
will enable a section of
the population previously
excluded from service,
to experience the challenges,
opportunities and potential benefit
of being in the Army Reserve,
providing that they meet all
necessary requirements, including
all physical standards.
Maximum Age:
Applications from candidates to join the Army
Reserve as soldiers will be accepted up until
the day before an individual’s 50th birthday.
Officer candidates must start the RMAS-based
module of Reserve Commissioning training,
or the Reserve Commissioning Course Plus
before their 50th birthday.
Trained ex-Regular and trained
ex-Reserve Other Ranks may still join the
Army Reserve up to their 52nd birthday
and previously Commissioned Officers may
still join up to their 57th birthday.
Minimum Age:
The minimum age for soldier and officer
entry of 18 years of age remains the same,
however, candidates may now apply three
months prior to their 18th birthday.
All Reserve officer candidates must
be over 18 before they attend AOSB
Main Board.
Further information can be obtained from
Army Briefing Note 167/14.
3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment
on exercise in Cyprus
ARQ Spring 2015
39
The Army Ornithological Society
For Military Birders
www.armybirding.org.uk
ARQ Spring 2015
40
It does not matter how long it
takes to identify those killed
in action as today clearly
demonstrates.
We are committed to ensuring
they are given the dignified
burial they deserve.
ARQ Spring 2015
41
4 Yorks bearer party
T
he remains of 15 WW1
soldiers from the York
and Lancaster Regiment
were finally laid to rest
in Commonwealth War Graves
Commission Y Farm Cemetery having
been discovered during construction
work near Lille, France, in 2009.
The soldiers, many of whom were
Reservists, were all members of the 2nd
Battalion, who encountered an enemy force
in the small hamlet of Beaucamp Ligny, west
of Lille on 18 October 1914. The Battalion
suffered substantial casualties, with 93
wounded and 34 killed in action.
Lt Col Ian Hallam, CO 4 YORKS, said
“It was a great honour to take part in the
ceremony and it provided an opportunity
for us to pay our respects. It was even
more poignant for my soldiers, due to
the county and regional links they shared
- all my men were from the same towns
and cities as the fallen soldiers.”
Amanda Edwards, the great granddaughter
of Private John Brameld attended the
ceremony. She told ARQ: “It has been one
of the best days of my life, even though
it’s a sad day. I feel so sad for his wife and
children, that they have gone to their
graves never having known he had been
found. Today has been a privilege.”
Laid To Rest
100 Years On
First World War soldiers were
given a true Yorkshire send off
when they were laid to rest
by Army Reservists from the
Yorkshire Regiment at a special
ceremony in northern France.
ARQ Spring 2015
42
Levelling a roadway
During the day our activities drew
the attention of elephants, giraffe
and zebra and it was not unusual
to be working with all three
walking along side us.
Be Sure To Insure
T
Collective Personal Accident Policy for off duty risks
he Council of Reserve Forces'
and Cadets' Association
offer Army Reserve units
the opportunity to insure
their soldiers for off duty accidents
connected to their military service.
The insurance covers all unit members
when they are, for example, travelling from
home to training, or on a social activity
during annual camp, if they are not covered
by the Ministry of Defence.
To enrol to this added benefit for their
Reservists, units should contact their local
RFCA or email [email protected].
43
Night time at Impala Farm
proved quite eventful with
either scorpions or camel
spiders paying us a visit
A Hercules lands on the airstrip
I
n 2014 I headed out to Kenya with nine
members of 299 Parachute Squadron to
build two TLZ’s (Temporary Landing Zones)
and re-establish a Drop Zone (DZ) in time
for the airborne operations which were to be
part of a major exercise called Askari Storm.
The first airstrip was to be at Impala Farm, a remote
and fairly barren piece of land on the edge of a game
reserve where we were living under canvas and using solar
bags for showers, ah Army living at its best. There was
already a small bush airstrip used by the local landowner
and students of Harvard University, to track and tag wild
animals. Our job was to widen, lengthen and generally
upgrade the airstrip to accept a C130 Hercules aircraft and
we had only six days before moving on to the next job.
Work at Impala Farm went well and the weather held,
in fact the weather held up too well and we started to
have a dust bowl issue. Night time at Impala Farm proved
quite eventful with either scorpions or camel spiders
paying us a visit, or lions taking down a zebra some 300
yards from where we were located. During the day our
activities drew the attention of elephants, giraffe and
zebra and it was not unusual to be working with all three
walking alongside us.
From Impala Farm we moved straight up to Archers
Post and to an airstrip that had been used in the past but
needed upgrading. It was also famous for being in the
film ‘Wild Geese’ and the area is hot, dry and renowned
for being 10 degrees hotter than the rest of Kenya. Again
work progressed well and the DZ was also graded to
provide a strip over a mile long by 150 feet wide for the
drop to aim at.
During October an RAF C130 Hercules did
numerous flights into Impala Farm and Archers Post
with 120 Paratroopers jumping into the DZ and the pilot
commenting that the airstrips were so good that it was
like landing at RAF Brize Norton….time for a beer to
celebrate job done.
Jambo
from
Kenya
Captain Jon Thompson,
Royal Engineers
(Jambo is Swahili for hello)
ARQ Spring 2015
45
Gunners
Start
New Role
with a
Bang 106
Gunner Jennifer Lee on the LML
(light weight Multiple Launcher)
A live missile leaves the Stormer SP Missile Launcher
Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Grove
Park in London, Southampton and
Portsmouth spent two weeks missile
firing in Wales as they begin their new role as air defence
gunners equipped with new Ground Based Air Defence
Missile systems - the ‘Stormer’ SP (Self Propelled), and
LML (Light - weight Multiple Launcher),
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Matt Young said: “We
had over 80 of our Reservists here in Wales and the training
was a resounding success, demonstrating the close working
relationship we have developed with our sister Regiment”.
He added, “The benefits of this integrated training goes
without saying, both Regular and Reserve officers and soldiers
are learning from each other.”
Twinned with 12 Regiment Royal Artillery based on Thorney
Island, Portsmouth, the Reservists at 106 Regiment are already fully
integrated with their Regular counterparts.
Bombardier Andrew Radford (Left) is a duty control manager
for Go Via Thames Link Railway with Gunner Robert Stevens
who is a fork lift driver
ARQ Spring 2015
46
Personal
Online
Security
S
ocial networking sites are
great for keeping in touch with
family and friends, and letting the
world know what you’re up to. This
document contains guidance on how to help you
stay safe and to think about what you post online.
Remember that there maybe those who are using such
sites for unsavoury reasons. These can range from criminals
looking for ways to con you or steal your identity, to those who
may wish us harm. While it is unlikely that you’ll fall victim, you
should be aware of the risk.
Google yourself - how much information
about you exists online? Not just that which
you’ve put there yourself, but what other
people or organisations have posted. Be extra
careful if you have identified yourself as being
a member of the military or an MOD civilian.
It is easy enough to collect information
to build up a picture of who you are
from various sources. Similarly it might only
take one careless comment, or posting
a picture without checking what’s in the
background to put friends and colleagues at
risk or major embarrassment.
Alongside being careful about what
you choose to share online, you should also
look at the privacy and security settings on
every social networking site you use. Are you
happy with how your information is being
used and shared? And if there are sites that
you no longer use, and have no intention of
using again, it’s better for you to close your
account rather than just ignore it.
There is a short guide to appropriate
social media behaviour for Defence personnel.
There is also a guide for commanders providing guidance on how to deal with the
inappropriate use of social media amongst the
personnel they command.
Security and Privacy Settings
General
Whenever you join a new social network,
you should always look at the privacy and
security settings so you are aware of how much
information the service is sharing about you,
and who is going to be able to see it. If you’ve
been a member of a social network for some
time, it’s worth looking at the privacy and
security settings frequently as they are subject
to change.
Each social network deals with privacy and
security in different ways, and you shouldn’t
share information on their service until you
know where that information will end up.
Facebook
You’ll find the button for privacy and security in
the blue bar on the top of the Facebook page,
towards the right side of the page. It has a
picture of a lock.
Inside, there are settings where you can
decide who can see your ‘stuff’ - the things
you post to Facebook. There’s also a handy
setting where you can take a look at how your
profile will look to someone who is not one of
your contacts.
In the same section you choose who will
be able to send you messages, and who
can send you friend requests.
There are more settings available than the
ones mentioned above, and you can reach
them from the same tab. It’s worth looking
through them to get a good idea about what
information you’re sharing, but at the absolute
minimum, you should make a decision about
who can see your posts, who can message you,
and who can friend you.
Twitter
Twitter’s security features can be reached by
clicking on the cog in the top bar, then
clicking on settings. On this page you’ll be
able to choose whether Twitter can add
your location to your Tweets (if you have this
checked, you can still turn off location on
a Tweet by Tweet basis, but if you never want
to add your location, you can turn it off
using that check box). You can also choose
whether Twitter will show you sensitive
content, and you can choose whether to
‘Protect’ your Tweets. If you check this box,
all your current followers will still be able to
see your Tweets, but any new followers will
need to be approved by you before they can
follow you. Also, any Tweets you posted
before you protected your Tweets will still
be searchable.
Contact Directorate of Defence Communications for more policy, advice and guidance about
using social media or speaking officially in the media or in public as a member of the defence
community. The guidance in this document does not supersede any other official document
ARQ Spring 2015
47
It is up to you if wish to protect your
Tweets, but you should never think that
because your Tweets are protected that you
can share any sensitive or secure information
using your account, because it is still possible
that your followers could share your post with
others, or the information may get out in
other ways.
Google & YouTube
If you’re logged in on the Google homepage,
and click on your name, you’ll find a button
marked ‘Privacy’, where you are able to
choose various options about how visible your
Google+ account is (if you have one), as well as
getting access to your ‘Dashboard’ where you
can view and edit what information Google has
across the various services they run and own.
This page also gives access to their ‘Privacy
Centre’ which will give you more information
about Google’s services and privacy policy.
On the same page, if you click on ‘Security’
on the left, you’ll find the place to change
your password, and how to set up ‘two-step
verification’ which is a means of making your
account more secure from people who may
want access it. You’ll also be able to find out
which apps have access to your account and
review these.If you’re logged into your YouTube
account and you click on the arrow by your
avatar near the top right of the screen, then
click on ‘settings’, then on ‘Privacy’ on the left
hand of the screen, you’ll be able to choose
whether your likes and subscriptions are
private, you’ll also be able to set your account
so only your contacts can send you videos and
decide whether people can find you on
YouTube by using your email address.
You can also see what apps have access
to your account, similarly to the Google
page above.
Pictures and Videos
Pictures are powerful and often revealing
assets, and while photos can contain trivial
information they can also pose a risk to
personal and operational security if placed in
the wrong hands.
Whether in a professional or personal
capacity, you should always consider what
information you are revealing through imagery
you publish online or anywhere in a
public domain.
Always consider how the images and
videos you publish might be interpreted, and
what level of information they are really
displaying. Remember, unless you have
appropriate privacy settings activated, there is a
strong chance that your images can be viewed
by the wider public, so consider whether you
wish to identify yourself, family members or
your location, and how you are representing
your profession. In general, you should avoid:
• Operational security breaches; images that
disclose location, operational intentions,
equipment specifications and capabilities.
• Images that could damage your
Service’s reputation.
• Aggressive, abusive or inappropriate poses
in uniform.
• Identifying yourself or other personnel
on operations.
• Using content that you don’t own;
remember Copyright law exists online too.
• Videos that display specific locations or
operational intentions.
• Videos that use inappropriate, foul or
abusive language.
Location Services
and Geotagging
Various social media services can use
information about your location, either from
a mobile device, or from your computer, and
attach it to information you share on
their site. Some social media is based solely
around this (for example, Foursquare,
where you ‘check in’ to places you visit).
Although there is nothing wrong, under
the right circumstances, in sharing your
location in this way, you need to keep in mind
how much information you are giving, and
whether you are comfortable with it. Although
sharing a single location may seem fine, what
information are you giving away when you
check into many locations over a long period
of time? Is it possible that people could work
out yourroutine, or where you live from this
information, even if that is something you have
not chosen to specifically share?
family, indeed it may well be the best way to
stay in touch, but make sure that anything
shared online is safe, and that you, your
friends and family aren’t giving away more
than they mean to.
Commenting and Debating
Many news websites, blogs and social
networking sites allow you to give your
views about subjects in comments sections
beneath particular stories, and forums
provide a place in which many people share
their opinions. However, on these sites there
are some things you need to bear in mind:
Be careful about giving away too much
information as some blogs, news websites
and forums are easier to search than sites such
as Facebook and keep their information easily
accessible for longer than sites such as Twitter.
Never share anything which could breach
operational security in a comment section or
forum, and be careful not to share personal
information such as where you live, names of
your family members, or information about
anyone else unless you’ve received their
permission in advance.
Please bear in mind that the guidance on
communicating with the media applies
in comment sections as much as it does if you
went to speak to a journalist in person.
Don’t try and speak on behalf of your service
and keep opinions clearly personal. Act online
in a way that reflects well on your Service and
if you are a civilian, remember to follow the
Civil Service code.
Friends and Family
It’s not just you who needs to think about
your personal security online. Your friends and
family will often know about your deployment,
travel arrangements, and other information
that should not be publicly available. To make
sure they don’t share this information, you will
need to speak to them about what they can
and cannot talk about. You should also ask
them to read through this document so that
they too can make informed decisions about
what they share on social media.
There is nothing wrong with using social
media to stay in contact with friends and
ARQ Spring 2015
48
Scams, Fraud, Hoaxes,
Phishing and Blackmail
Phishing, scams, frauds and hoaxes are a major
source of cybercrime affecting many internet
users. Most users have a basic awareness of
computer viruses and a general notion of
what constitutes identity theft, but a number
of people don’t realise the real threat that
phishing, frauds and scams pose.
Given the increasing popularity of social
networking sites and the general improvement
in email filters, scammers are now using these
sites more and more in an attempt to harvest
private information and commit varying levels
of identity fraud.
On such sites, most users believe they
are in a secure network, but this is not the
case. The relative ease of creating accounts
or setting up profiles provides an easy
foundation for scammers to begin a number
of fraudulent activities.
Email and Forums
Most email phishing scams will catch users
off guard by appearing to be messages sent
from a recognised organisation or source;
commonly a bank, paypal, an address
book contact, or even one of your social
networking sites. The message may prompt
you to ‘verify your account’, ‘respond within
48hrs or your account will close’, or take
advantage of a ‘free upgrade available on
your account’.
Most scams will provide what appears to
be a link to the relevant organisation’s main
site, but it will actually be a link to a spoof
front-end site with a similar (but not the
correct) URL. If you enter login information on
this site, your account/profile will be vulnerable
to attack.
With login information captured, a thief
can hack into your account, pass themselves
off as you and then either trick your friends
into downloading malicious software,
make a plea for money, or lead them to
a fake website that asks for private login
information.
ARQ Spring 2015
To avoid becoming a victim, make sure
you do not give out confidential information
readily, especially if you are suspicious of the
email/message you receive. Don’t click any
links, but go to the organisation’s main site
through a new browser window. If there really
is a problem with your account/profile, the
main site will have the information that you are
looking for.
Blackmail
If you share information, or photos or videos
of yourself online, especially with
people you don’t know, could this material
be used to blackmail you? Your position
in the Armed Forces could be jeopardised
if you post material in the public domain
that shouldn’t. The best way to avoid this
is not to share material that could put you
in this position, especially with strangers,
particularly if they have an avatar that you
think is attractive.
General Tips
Scammers are always trying to evolve their
techniques and use different methods
to con people, so take care on all social
networking sites and when using mobile
applications. Remember:
• Use strong and unique passwords, with a
different one for each site.
• Always check you’re in the actual main
site before entering any login information.
• Be wary of suspicious links, requests for
passwords and unusual comments/
messages/updates from friends/followers.
Scrutinise all requests carefully.
• Limit what information you share on your
profile/account such as birth dates, phone
numbers and use of geo-locating services
(such as Facebook Places or Foursquare).
Use privacy settings to your advantage
• Keep your computer software and
browser up-to-date and virus-free.
• Select third-party applications with care.
• If it’s too good to be true, it usually isn’t.
So, don’t fall for it!
49
Blood M
on
Board
Army Reservist and consultant
anaesthesiologist at the Royal
Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle,
Major Rachel Hawes experiences in
Afghanistan have helped change
the way National Health Service
patients in the north east are
treated at point of injury.
aj Hawes, from 201
(Northern) Field
Hospital, who in
addition to her day job
also works as an emergency doctor
with the Great North Air Ambulance
Service (GNAAS), saw that military
helicopters delivering blood
transfusions directly to severely
injured patients at the site of the
incident, were making a significant
difference to patient survival rates.
She recognised the potential of
applying this within the NHS and
headed up the ‘Blood on Board’
project in the North East.
She explained; “Replacing major blood
loss of critically injured patients as quickly
as possible is vital. The ‘Blood on Board’
concept takes this approach one step
further and allows patients to receive
seamless high quality care at the site of the
injury right through to hospital treatment.
Having blood on board GNAAS helicopters
could make a huge difference to a gravely
injured patient’s chances of survival, just
as the Medical Emergency Response Team
(MERT) does in Afghanistan.”
Maj Hawes is just one of the many Army
Reserve medics who have brought back
techniques honed in Afghanistan, that have
saved lives back at home.
Watch the latest Army medical
documentary on the British Army YouTube
site, to see how military innovation has
revolutionised trauma care in the NHS.
ARQ Spring 2015
51
Jason Lincoln (London Military) v Lee Maskell
(Best bout of the evening)
Boxing
for Big Bucks
106 (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
and the London Military Boxing Club
recently hosted a charity boxing evening
adding to the £800,000 that they
have already raised for their chosen
beneficiaries, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
and Rugby for Heroes.
T
he evening was a high profile
community engagement
event which took the form
of a black tie charity dinner.
250 guests were welcomed to the
event including two former World
Champions, Lloyd (Ragamuffin)
Honeyghan and Colin (Sweet C)
McMillan both of whom openly
display their support towards the
military in the local community.
London Military Boxing club is closely
linked with the local community across a
broad range of training and social activities.
The club in Grove Park London is open to
all Army Reservists regardless of unit.
For more information go to
www.londonmilitaryboxing.co.uk
ARQ Spring 2015
52
Get T
Yourself
Some
Education
he Army Skills offer to Army
Reserve personnel and their
current and future civilian
employers is that throughout a
soldier’s Army career the Army will
provide opportunities for them to
gain civilian qualifications as a result
of Army training and service - and
will provide funding for them.
The Army Skills Offer
ARQ Spring 2015
Details of all of the qualification
opportunities and funding routes for Army
Reserve personnel are available on
www.army.mod.uk/qualifications.
Funded civilian qualifications in leadership
and management, coaching and assessing, and
employability skills from City and Guilds, the
Institute of Leadership and Management and
the Chartered Management Institute can be
accessed via 2014DIN07-093 the Army Skills
Offer available from unit administration staff.
53
For Army Reserve soldiers, the Army
Skills Offer will provide and pay for one
qualification per course for soldiers who have
successfully completed Phase1, Phase 2 and
Phase 3 training; and for each Command
Leadership and Management (CLM) course.
For example, a Warrant Officer who
has successfully completed Junior NonCommissioned Officer’s CLM, Senior NonCommissioned Officer’s CLM and Warrant
Officer’s CLM can apply to the Army Skills
Offer for a qualification for each of these
three courses - gaining three qualifications at
three different levels.
Reservists, who at this stage won’t be
undertaking CLM courses, can still gain the
same level of accreditation by completing
assignments set by the awarding organisations.
For Army Reserve Officers the Army Skills Offer
will provide and pay for one qualification per
course for Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
(RMAS), Late Entry Officer’s Course, Junior
Officer’s Leadership Programme 3 and Junior
Officer’s Tactical Awareness Course, Captain’s
Warfare Course, Intermediate Command and
Staff Course (Land) and Reserve Officer’s Staff
Course(Land).
The Army Skills Offer will run until May
2016, when an assessment will be made of
the uptake and a decision will be taken on
its continuation.
Funded Higher
Education Opportunities
Funded Higher Education opportunities are
available for Army Reserve personnel for
part-time and full-time Degrees, Fellowships,
Masters and PhDs.
Part-time distance learning Degrees with
the Open University are available following
successful completion of the Reserve RMAS
Commissioning Courses. Full and part-time
Fellowships, Masters and PhDs are available
by application to the Higher Defence Studies
Programme DIN (published Mar 15). Parttime distance learning Masters and PhDs are
available by application through 2015DIN07022 Post Graduate Masters’ Level Studies at
Cranfield University.
Standard Learning Credits
All Army Reserve personnel are eligible
to apply for their annual £175 Standard
Learning Credits for funded training
and Higher Education access courses
and qualifications. Popular courses and
qualifications include: First Aid, IT, Health and
Safety, Driver Training, and languages.
For further information and application forms
for these opportunities, please visit
www.army.mod.uk/qualifications.
Photos: 3 PWRR on
exercise in Cyprus
ARQ Spring 2015
g ive y o u r
LEArNINg
a LittLE
PUSH
Regular and Reserve Army personnel
are eligible to access funding towards
a nationally recognised qualification
that benefits the individual and the
Army. Claim your annual £175 Standard
Learning Credits for funded training,
Higher Education access courses
and qualifications like these:
First Aid
IT
ESOL
Health & Safety
Driver Training
Trail Leader
Sports Coaching
Fibre Optics
IOSH
NEBOSH
Security
Languages
Deer Stalking
Cooking
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
REGULAR & RESERVE
ADR003915
www.army.mod.uk/qualifications
55
Two Pence
A Day Makes
A Difference
R
egular soldiers know that
in the event of their death whether on-duty or off-duty,
and for any reason - most of
them can expect their dependants
to get an almost instant grant of
£12,000 from a charity.
But until now Reservists have been
unable to do that - unless they are mobilised
or on Full Time Reserve Service.
Now all Reservists can ensure that the
person they nominate gets financial help
virtually immediately - and all for less than 2p
per day.
The idea started in India in 1820, with a
“Widows Fund” - paying a bit of money into
a fund so that if a soldier died, there would
be an immediate payout to their next-of-kin.
Now it is run by The Army Dependants’
Trust, a registered charity that gives out money
in the event of the death of its members.
Membership is £8.75 per year, taken from
your pay each April. But the real cost to most
members is just £7.00, as the extra £1.75 is
that tax usually payable to HMRC anyway.
Last year the Trust paid out more than
£1m in instant grants, tax free, and any surplus
funds they have are sent to ABF The Soldiers’
Charity to benefit the whole Army community.
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Graham, a retired
officer who runs the Trust, believes that the
change in policy will be welcome news for
members of the Army Reserve.
“Our aim is to get financial help to
dependants fast - usually between two
and three working days after we’re told.
And now we need Reservists to know that
we can help their dependants as well.”
The scheme covers death under any
circumstance, whether you are on duty or not.
“It’s often in those first few months
after someone’s died that money can be
difficult to get hold of - and yet funeral
bills and debts often have to be paid
quickly. We can help as soon as the Army
Reserve unit informs us of a death.”
To join, simply ask your unit admin
office for form AFN 9284. It’s also available
on the internet - just search for “Army
Dependants’ Trust”.
ARQ Spring 2015
56
Rifleman Joe Willis helps one of the civilian
instructors put a jackstay pole in place
Students assembling a jackstay
L-R, Ashton Waters, Carl Sayers, Emma Brown
ARQ Spring 2015
57
T
he soldiers help the students
increase in confidence and
become self-reliant, learn how
to solve problems, meet deadlines,
keep fit and work as part of a team.
Wearing smart new jackets and hoodies,
part paid for by D Company, students on the
Uniform and Public Service course have taken
part in their first joint training exercise called
‘Head Above Water’, themed around being a
United Nations Rescue Team helping
flood victims.
Riflemen from D (Rifles) Coy assisted the
college by teaching the students command
and control, and the communications and
logistical aspects of an operation.
Katy Graham, the course leader
commented; “We had a really complex
exercise overlaid with a real and realistic
theme. The students got some really good
quality training, enhanced by the help we
received from the Army. The affiliation is
really working well.”
Uniform and Public Services students
conduct training over one or two years leaving
them with a firm and wide ranging knowledge
of uniformed operations and careers.
Rifleman Joe Willis, a gym manager
in civilian life, told ARQ: “The students
were really positive from the word go
and really threw themselves into it.
The planning phase went well and a
workable plan was produced. Then they
really handled the practical tasks well,
I’ve been proud to work with them.”
Students
Study
Soldiers’
Skills
D (Rifles) Company Fifth Fusiliers
have commenced a two year
affiliation with Bishop Auckland
College in County Durham to help
deliver top quality training to the
local population.
Lance Corporal Fletcher instructs the students
The soldiers help the students
increase in confidence and become
self-reliant, learn how to solve
problems, meet deadlines, keep fit
and work as part of a team.
ARQ Spring 2015
58
Why Employ Army Reservists?
Here Is Why
Some examples of the transferable skills
which can enhance Army Reservists’ CVs.
ARQ Spring 2015
59
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61
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62
Sappers
See Stars
Sapper Dan Watson
Corporal Jon McMahon,
299 Para Sqn Royal Engineers
E
xercise Market Star is a Royal
Engineer Corps adventure
training expedition that
is run twice a year by the
Royal Engineers Sports Parachute
Association (RESPA).
The idea of the expedition is to put the
participants out of their comfort zone and
for the seven members of 299 Para Sqn, it
certainly did that.
Sapper Callum Boothroyd
ARQ Spring 2015
We spent the first day at Gibraltar
Barracks in Camberley doing ground training,
kit familiarisation and learning the theory
of canopy flight. The following day we left
London Heathrow for the sunnier climate
of California.
For the duration of the expedition we
resided at the Lake Elsinore Hotel and Casino,
a lively establishment located about 5 minutes
drive from the Drop Zone. As well as the casino
(which was open 24 hours a day), amenities
included a pool and a hot tub, which was
hijacked pretty much every night by the guys
from 299 to talk about the days jumping.
The Accelerated Free Fall course involves
eight levels of increasingly difficult jumps
followed by 10 consolidation jumps.
The guys gradually made their way
through the course with only a couple of
people faltering on the more advanced
levels but with a bit of training in the wind
tunnel everyone made it through the eight
levels and 10 console jumps to gain their
‘A’ Licence.
Having an ‘A’ licence means that they can
now jump at any drop zone anywhere in the
world, unsupervised.
Overall the expedition was a great
success with everyone learning a new skill.
We even found some time for a bit of rest
and recuperation which included sampling
the delights of San Diego, where you have
to remortgage your house to buy a round
of drinks.
63
ARQ 1915
Reservists in The Trenches
I
n 1915 Walter Carter of The
London Regiment and his
friends and family are certain
that this year will bring victory
for the Allied Forces. He just
hopes it doesn’t happen before
he gets a chance to put his long
months of training into action.
Reports are coming in from his sister
Rose, who is nursing aboard a French
ambulance train, about the constant
rain which is making trench life nearly
impossible; about soldiers who have gone
for 11 weeks without a wash and about a
strange condition affecting the men’s feet.
Meanwhile, back home, Britain has
suffered its first Zeppelin attack, the
Government is threatening conscription,
the original ‘Lassie’ the dog has saved a
sailor’s life and Ma has found an advert
for ‘meat lozenges’ to send out to
hungry servicemen.
This is not a summary from history book,
but a new historical resource backed
by Greater London Reserve Forces and
Cadets Association.
David Noble Associates Ltd the notfor-profit project uses modern social
media to tell the story of Walter Carter,
from Battersea, who from 1912 is a
member of the Territorial Force, 1/23rd
(County of London) Battalion The London
Regiment. He goes to war in March 1915
where he will see action in Festubert,
Loos, the Somme and Cambrai.
The story covers the entire War and
provides not only his experiences but,
importantly, those of his family and
girlfriend back in England. Whilst it is
fictitious, it is entirely based on fact
and is continuously checked by military
historians both for accuracy
and authenticity.
The project’s aim is to get young
people more engaged with WW1 in a
way that comes naturally to them
- through Social Media.
As well as Walter’s Facebook page
there is also one for his girlfriend Lily,
his sister Rose and other friends and
family - their posts and comments paint a
broad picture of life at home and at war
referencing issues that are still important
today such as the role of the Reserves,
the effect of the War on families,
the changing role of women and the
treatment of the physically and
mentally injured.
Walter has nearly completed his
training and will soon be heading out
to join the fighting . . . to follow the
story, go to:
www.facebook.com/WW1SoldiersTale
www.twitter.com/WW1SoldiersTale
www.WW1SoldiersTale.co.uk/blog
Fictional Character
Lily Howes
Fictional character
Walter Carter
ARQ Spring 2015
64
Lauren McLean tries on some Army equipment.
ARQ Spring 2015
65
Lance Corporal Steven Church
of 6 Scots helps Dee Forbes clear
a burn during a navigation exercise
on Castlelaw Ranges
Yo u n g s t e r s
Get Fell in
Photos by Mark Owens
A
rmy Reserve instructors
from the Royal Regiment
of Scotland have been
working with a group of
young adults from Edinburgh and
the Borders to develop skills and
confidence to help them get and
keep a job.
Soldiers from 6th Battalion The Royal
Regiment of Scotland (6 Scots), along with
colleagues from the 1st Battalion, designed
a bespoke training package focused on
teamwork, communications, health and
fitness, problem solving, and leadership.
The week-long course provided the
young adults aged between 16 and 24 with
basic instruction in navigation, life saving
skills, military style fitness drills, and gave
them the opportunity to try some military
style team exercises.
Danial Cannon originally from Livingston
but now living in Edinburgh said: “It’s been
a really good week and a really good
experience. The instructors have been
brilliant answering all our questions. We’ve
done lots of fitness, learned map reading
skills and first aid, and learned about some
of the weaponry that the Army use.”
Captain Hogg gives a pointer to Joe Dallas
during a navigation exercise on Castlelaw Ranges
ARQ Spring 2015
66
Mayfair T
Mortars
As the Army 2020 plan begins
to take shape, the importance of
Reserve troops has never been
greater but to really get the best out
of both Reserves and Regulars, they
need to train and operate together.
ARQ Spring 2015
he beautiful rolling moors of
Otterburn in Northumberland
provided the perfect backdrop
for 7 Rifles to do just that during
their annual training period last
year. The brand new Mayfair-based
Mortar Platoon of F Company, used
the two-week exercise to complete a
modularised mortar cadre alongside
soldiers from 4 Rifles, with safety
staff provided by 2 Rifles.
The exercise was a huge success. Unusually
good weather prevailed, and Regular and
Reservist Riflemen worked seamlessly together
to deliver a newly trained mortar platoon for 7
Rifles and Mortar Fire Controllers for 4 Rifles,
but just as importantly, helped to develop
relationships between full time and part time
soldiers. That relationship will be particularly
important next year when 7 Rifles will deploy
mortar-men, machine gunners, assault pioneers
and riflemen to join 2 Rifles in Kenya on
Exercise Askari Storm.
67
ARQ Spring 2015
68
ARQ Spring 2015
69
Minister
Meets the
Future
The Minister for Reserves,
Julian Brazier, inspected some of the
next generation of Army Reservists
at their Passing Out parade at the
Army Training Regiment (ATR)
based at Prince William of
Gloucester Barracks in Grantham.
A
squad of 31 soldiers
marched onto the
parade square in
front of family and
friends having completed their
basic training in two stages.
The first stage saw the soldiers
complete six weekend courses
before attending the two-week
residential course at the barracks.
The course has taught the soldiers
everything they need to know to start their role
within the Army including military terminology,
drill, shooting, physical fitness, weapon
handling, first aid, field craft and map reading.
MP Julian Brazier inspected the parade
and presented a series of awards including
the Champion Soldier, Best Shot and
Champion Section.
Addressing the soldiers he said:
“Through giving of your time each of
you has the right to call yourselves
what Winston Churchill use to describe
as ‘twice a citizen’. He was of course
a long serving member of the Army
Reserve as it now is.”
A former reservist himself the Minister
continued: “I envy you, that time was for
me the best experience of my life.”
The course is delivered by Army Training
Regiment (Grantham) whose instructors have
been specially selected and trained for their
role. Their main task is to lead recruits through
their training and assist them with passing all
aspects of the course. The soldiers will now
return to their Regiments and begin their
trade training.
ARQ Spring 2015
71
Soldiers from the HAC form up to welcome
‘For The Fallen’. Photo by Jackie Pringle
E
ast Coast Trains marked the
centenary of World War
One, by renaming a mainline
locomotive (number 91 111)
‘For The Fallen’. The locomotive
carries a livery filled with images,
stories and tributes to regiments,
and the people who served in
them, from five cities along the
East Coast route.
On one side of the locomotive are
some of the Christmas Cards that HAC
soldier Christopher Douglas Elphick sent
from the Front to his new wife and their
new born son.
On 15 May 1917 he was reported
missing during the Battle of Bullecourt.
His body remained missing for nearly
100 years. It was discovered in a farmer’s
field in 2009 and buried with full military
honours at the HAC Cemetery in Ecoust St
Mein on 23 April 2013.
Next to the letters of Christopher
Elphick is a giant portrait of another HAC
soldier, teenage Gunner Douglas Elliott
Brock. Shortly after his 18th birthday he
joined the HAC and was sent to France
as a driver of a horse-drawn gun carriage
with 2/A Battery. In the spring of 1918 the
Germans launched a new offensive on the
Somme and during heavy shelling on 21
March 1918, Brock was killed aged 19.
Reservists
Remembered
on the Railway
One hundred years after British troops left in their
thousands on trains for the front in Flanders,
a detachment from the Honourable Artillery
Company were part of one hundred soldiers and
veterans lining platform 8 at London’s King’s Cross
to meet another important train.
ARQ Spring 2015
72
The Gryphon
Goes Stateside
by Major Pat Walsh, HQ Support Command
Photos: Mark Webb
E
xercise Resilient Gryphon
was an integrated Regular
and Reserve study of
American Homeland Defence
plans to help develop UK doctrine
and practice.
Organised by Army Reservist,
Lieutenant Colonel John Kendall, the
exercise started in Washington at the
Pentagon and included visits to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency
and the operations rooms for Fairfax
County, and the National Guard Bureau
operations room in Washington.
ARQ Spring 2015
Before departing for New York,
the team had a brief cultural visit to
the National Mall and its Lincoln and
War Memorials.
In New York the team were hosted
by the US Army Corps of Engineers for in
depth briefings and a walk-through of
the Hurricane Sandy relief operation.
The exercise was able to exploit
Army Reservists’ civilian knowledge in
emergency planning and resilience.
Major Carolyn Richardson an
Emergency Planner for West Berkshire
said: “Having worked closely with the
Army during the flooding in Berkshire as
a civilian it was great to be working with
some of the same team again in the US.
Apart from bringing my civilian perspective
to the Army this has also helped inform my
thinking in emergency planning for West
Berkshire. This has to be one of the most
worthwhile experiences of my Reserve
service and an exercise that will bring
benefits to my civilian work too.”
The visit culminated in a visit to the
World Trade Centre and Ground Zero
where wreaths were laid.
73
The team aboard the
DCV Hayward being briefed on
the impact of Hurricane Sandy
on maritime trade and
New York City's sea defences
World Trade Centre
Ground Zero - the team
listens to a 9/11 survivor's
recounting of events
Army Reservists
Lt Col John Kendall and
WO1 Ashok Chauhan
pose in front of the
Statue of Liberty
This has to be one of the most
worthwhile experiences of my
Reserve service and an exercise
that will bring benefits to my
civilian work too
ARQ Spring 2015
FLASH!
BANG!
WALLOP!
What a Picture!
But can you do better?
The Army Photographic
Competition 2015
• 15 categories for Amateur and
Professional Photographers
• New for 2015: Through the eyes of the photographer
celebrating ten years of imagery, covering
Operation HERRICK
• All photographs must have been taken
between 5 Sep 14 and 2 Oct 15,
with the exception of the HERRICK categories
• Amateur entries can be submitted online to:
[email protected]
or [email protected]
• Professional entrants must submit prints and a CD
- all entries must be in Hi Res JPEG format
• Submit your entries online or by post to:
Army Picture Editor, IDL 407, Ramillies, Army HQ,
Andover, Hants. SP11 8HJ
Closing date for all entries is 2 Oct 15.
ADR004525
• All entries MUST be accompanied by an entry form,
whether submitted online or by post. Entry forms,
rules and further details are available in ABN 23/15
at www.army.mod.uk/photocomp
76
Life as a
Para Medic
by Captain Will Stevens, Royal Army Medical Corps
Photos: Corporal Richard Cave RLC
I
am a foundation year two doctor
currently working in Oxfordshire,
in addition to this for the past
seven years I have also been a
serving Army Reservist. Recently
my unit, 144 Parachute Medical
Squadron, deployed to Longmoor
Training Area in Hampshire on a
training exercise, Ex Green Serpent.
The exercise itself saw us living in the
field and exposed to the elements on what
was a particularly wet and cold weekend.
Training focused on refreshing and
improving core soldiering skills which despite
being a medical unit are essential in order
for us to fulfil our role and work as a tight,
coherent team. This allows us to in turn slot in
alongside our Regular counterparts, should the
need arise, as part of one army on operations.
The weekend itself was jam-packed with
infantry lessons including tactical patrolling,
attack and defence, and care of casualties
whilst under fire during the day and night.
My own role for the weekend was
that of troop commander in command of
approximately 30 soldiers.
ARQ Spring 2015
And it is because of skills like these
that reservists are valued by any employer,
including the NHS. Serving with the Army
Reserve doesn’t come without some
commitment; training tends to take place
during otherwise free weekends and evenings
or during my own annual leave. That said, the
NHS as an employer is more than cooperative
due to the expertise and experience any
reservist can bring to them.
I believe that the leadership, time
management, communication, and teamworking skills that I have gained as
a reservist soldier have greatly
improved my ability to do any
job, but are particularly
useful in my job
as a junior
doctor,
when combined with the medical knowledge
and skills that I have learnt as part of an
airborne medical unit which is at the cutting
edge of pre-hospital emergency care.
The experiences that I have had
whilst with the Army are like no other
that you would be able to find as just a
civilian. In the last month alone I have
completed the military’s basic parachute
course at RAF Brize Norton and ‘earned
my wings’, represented my regiment
in full service dress at the service of
remembrance at Westminster Abbey on
Remembrance Sunday, and deployed into
the field on this most recent exercise.
In the past I have trained in all four corners
of the UK as well as overseas in
countries such as France,
the Netherlands,
and
77
Norway to name but a few. I have met
a fantastic group of people and some of my
greatest friends through the military.
Some of my greatest accomplishments
have stemmed from there as well; passing
P-Company - the Army’s pre-parachute
selection course, arguably one of the toughest
selection courses in the world, would have to
rank alongside passing finals and graduating as
a doctor only a few weeks beforehand.
It’s been tough, and I have been taken out
of my comfort zone at times, that’s for sure,
but it’s nothing that either myself or anyone
else for that matter can't accomplish.
The resilience gained from these
experiences will stick with me forever; if
I can successfully treat a casualty whilst
soaked through, tired and lying in a ditch
in the dead of night then suddenly a long
hospital shift on-call doesn’t seem so bad.
Whether it be to make new friends, travel the world, gain
new skills, or simply to push yourself I would urge anyone out
there looking for a new challenge to consider serving with the
Reserves. Regardless of the stage that you are at in your career
the Army Reserve will find a place for you and you will not
regret it. I certainly haven’t.
ARQ Spring 2015
78
Over The Top
Sprint to the Line
Oh What
A Picture
Photographs by Bombardier
Murray Kerr from the 2014
Army Photographic Competition.
Wings and Canopies - Pte Tom Emsley
ARQ Spring 2015
Bdr Kerr is an Army Reserve photographer
serving with the Media Operations Group and was
second in the amateur portfolio.
79
Yeomen
Yomp the
Mountains
of Majorca
by Trooper Karl Knight, Royal Yeomanry
Exercise Cockney Yeoman Solero
was a hiking expedition involving
a number of officers and soldiers
from the Royal Yeomanry, which
took place in Majorca/Mallorca
in 2014. Like all adventurous
training, the aim was to develop,
through authorised challenging
pursuits and within an outdoor
environment, leadership and the
qualities necessary to enhance the
performance of military personnel
during peace and war.
RY group on summit of Puig de Massanella
ARQ Spring 2015
80
O
ur expedition was to take
us, a group of 12 novice
mountaineers and two
instructors of the Royal
Yeomanry, from Port de Pollenca on
the east coast of Mallorca to Port
de Soller on the west and scalping
several summits en route, chief
amongst them Puig de Massanella
(4478 ft), which is the second
highest mountain in Mallorca.
A gentle start by bus to Port de Pollenca
for our acclimatisation day. The journey
showed us how beautiful and rustic the
landscape of Mallorca is and gave us an insight
into what was to come as the impressive
mountains were visible in the distance.
In Port de Pollenca we hiked across town
and took a dirt trail towards a 400 yard
high rock wall. This was a rocky peninsular
which jutted out into the sea separating
the secluded cove of Cala Boquer and Cala
Carbo. The incline was quite steep and the
heat was in the early 30’s degrees Celsius.
Together they made the ascent very arduous.
After 300 yards we rested in the shade
of a col, a recess in the ridge line. Here
the Colonel introduced us to some basic
techniques for hiking on mountains.
Reinforcing them by having us put our
hands on our heads whilst walking around
in a circle on a slight incline. The lesson
was in how to use balance and weight
distribution. This proved a good morale
boost because it looked hilarious.
ARQ Spring 2015
Early next morning we began the long hike
to Lluc via the mountain of Tomir (3615ft). At
this point Tpr Alex Williams lost some of his
dignity, managing to tear a gaping hole in the
seat of his shorts! Well, we were to discover
humour was needed as we travelled in searing
heat across dry rocky tracks. As we summited
Tomir, it became evident that the pace and
heat through this trip would test our resilience.
For some the descent of Tomir was both
painful and comical at the same time, but
eventually became a good lesson in tackling
the loose rock on the path, known as scree.
Trooper Higham seemed to nail it first, striding
out with his pole, digging his heels in and
allowing the scree to take him and the first few
of us followed his lead.
The other half of the group
followed the wily Colonel, who not
for the first time showed an expert
eye in spotting a less arduous route.
That evening we ate at a local restaurant,
where the owner not only provided an
excellent meal, but made two trips to drive
us back to our hostel as well.
The next morning we followed the GR221
line from Lluc to our next hostel, which lay at
the top of Puig d’ Alaro. A summit of Puig de
Massanella was incorporated into the route.
Temperatures in the mid 30’s and time were
against us -with a check in by 21.00 - but after
a determined attempt the team successfully
summited and the views were more than
enough reward.
We’re not surrendering
81
We had achieved the
objective of the expedition,
which was to be thrown out of
our comfort zones, to dig deep
and find the grit to endure.
The hike to Puig d’Alaro sapped the
last reserves of the group, which was
perhaps apparent to the hostel owner,
who after serving a pasta dish promptly
served jumbo sausages and baked
potatoes. What an angel she was.
Day five was an even more gruelling trek
than the day before with Captain Will Wythe
and Troopers Alex Grey and Alex Higham
leading the way. Nearly 12 hours after
leaving Puig d’Alaro the group arrived at the
hostel, Grey annoyingly looking as fresh as
he left.
From Deia we hiked to Port de Soller.
Once again the tranquil settings of these
hostels and the beautiful surroundings and
stunning views, were well worth any effort
spent getting there. In Port de Soller we
bathed in the sea and ate at one of the fine
restaurants.
We had achieved the objective of the
expedition, which was to be thrown out of
our comfort zones, to dig deep and find the
grit to endure. From Soller we took a box-car
train back to Palma, the scenery on route
some of the most stunning of the trip.
My positives of the whole experience
have motivated me to try to gain more
mountaineering experience and also to stay
in touch with some of the great guys I met
from the other Squadrons who shared the
experience.
Trooper Williams makes a friend
Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Donaldson
ARQ Spring 2015
83
T
he troops from the Battalion’s
companies in Edinburgh,
Glasgow, London, Liverpool
and Newcastle Upon Tyne,
converged on the rugged terrain
of Otterburn in Northumberland
to conduct live firing training
with machine-guns and mortars,
supported by a Chinook helicopter.
The training is a key opportunity for the
Reservists to hone their skills as an element of
the Army’s very high readiness formation, the
Air Assault Task Force. The AATF is ready to go
anywhere in the world at short notice to carry
out the full spectrum of operations from warfighting right through to stabilization.
Lieutenant Colonel Giles Timms, 4 Para's
Commanding Officer, said: “Now that
we have the same equipment as the
Regulars, it makes the training far more
realistic. Some of our guys are on five
days notice to move which, as a civilian,
is a real challenge.
“For this exercise, we have gone right
back to the basics. We are making sure
that the guys’ specialist airborne infantry
skills, weapon drills and ability to use the
latest night vision equipment are up to
scratch so they can operate side by side
with their Regular counterparts.”
Among the soldiers taking part was
Private Carl Toolan, a theatre technician from
Salford who joined 4 Para earlier this year.
He told ARQ: “The challenge of the Paras
was something I always wanted to do
and 4 Para’s reputation appealed to me
a lot. You’re trained as a Regular in your
spare time, so I’ve got the best of both
worlds now - I work full time and I’m
training to be a Para.”
Rapid
Reaction
Reservists
Reservists from 4th Battalion
The Parachute Regiment (4 Para)
joined their Regular counterparts in
16 Air Assault Brigade on
Exercise Black Jaguar.
ARQ Spring 2015
84
Instruction by local guides
on jungle survival,
ending in them showing
the troop how to kill and
skin a live pig which we
cooked and ate.
Dinner is served
(Spr Magee left)
It’s a Jungle
Out There
by Sapper Paddy Magee Royal Engineers.
Army Reservist Sapper Paddy Magee of
131 Independent Commando Squadron is
currently mobilized with paired unit
24 Commando Engineer Regiment.
He spent the first six weeks of 2015
conducting jungle warfare training in
Belize, Central America.
ARQ Spring 2015
T
he first few days of the
course were spent at the
British Army Training
Support Unit Belize (BATSUB)
learning jungle basics such as camp
routine and low level tactics. This
led us into the Individual Skills Phase
(ISP), where we spent eight days on
skills such as navigation through
secondary jungle, close target recces
and long range patrols.
The highlight of the ISP was the
instruction by local guides on jungle
survival, ending in them showing the
troop how to kill and skin a live pig, which
we cooked and ate. It was the best scran
(meal) we had all tour. ISP ended with a
five mile patrol, which is no easy feat in
the heat, humidity and thick jungle.
We then moved onto a live firing
package. This started with individual
shooting: one person going down a
jungle lane against targets. We moved
up through fire-team level, followed by
section and culminating in a company-level
live firing ambush. After this we had a
chance to really get stuck into the bread
and butter of being a Commando Engineer
- explosives, leading onto improvised
85
Bangalore torpedoes and claymores, which
had a devastating effect.
The final five day exercise tested all
that we had learnt, and was conducted
without the help of our Jungle Warfare
Instructors. The insertion was a five mile
yomp with full fighting order plus bergen
(rucksack) weighing up to 80lbs.
The attack on an ‘enemy’ camp at
troop level was a tough fight-through, but
once the camp was taken we used it as
our own base. As engineers we provided
advice to the Royal Marines on how to best
upgrade and defend it, which resulted in
everyone digging trench emplacements
and bunkers, and laying trip flares on lines
of approach.
The final attack was on another
‘enemy’ camp. The steep, difficult
terrain and fierce resistance from the
‘enemy’ were exacerbated by an area of
primary jungle with thick vines that were
particularly hard to force our way through.
Packing bamboo
with explosives
Once the camp was taken the
insurgents were pushed into caves which
we then had to assault. With all the gear
we were carrying, assaulting uphill into a
cave system was challenging, so it was a
relief and joy to all when ‘end-ex’
(the end of the exercise) was finally called.
Overall the exercise was a great
eye-opener to the challenges faced when
in a jungle environment, and another of
those experiences of a lifetime.
Improvising explosives
ARQ Spring 2015
87
Fancy a
Challenge?
T
he United Kingdom Reserve Forces
Association (UKRFA) is sponsoring
the Altcar Challenge 2015 which is a
two day event which provides participating
units with a number of challenges based
on military skills that are designed to test
knowledge, practical application, physical
and mental stamina.
As well as the Army Reserve, The Royal Naval
Reserve (RNR), Royal Marine Reserve (RMR),
and Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) and
representatives from international reserve forces
all participate in the competition.
The event takes place over the weekend 1 May
- 3 May 15 at Altcar Training Camp near Liverpool.
48 teams of four enter and go through 20 stands on
the Saturday with a shooting competition on the
Sunday. The stands are scored and test skills such as
mine awareness, battlefield first aid, assault course,
grenade stalk, pistol shoot etc.
For more information contact
[email protected]
ARQ Spring 2015
88
Rewards
for Reserves
Many firms recognise the service to Queen and Country
shown by those in the Army by offering discounts.
These discounts can change quickly,
and may not be available at all times or in all outlets,
always check before booking/ordering.
A
rmy ID cards (MOD 90s) are
usually acceptable evidence of
entitlement, although families
and veterans may be entitled to
the same discounts by using cards issued
by either of two websites.
www.rewardsforforces.co.uk
www.defencediscountservice.co.uk
These sites also allow Army Reservists to purchase store
cards for most major chains such as Sainsbury’s, B+Q,
M+S, Toys R Us and Boots at discounts from 5% to 20%
of the face value depending on the store. (There is a
postage charge)
ARQ Spring 2015
Motorway Service Areas
Both MOTO and Roadchef offer 20% off at many outlets on
their service areas including Costa Coffee and WH Smiths.
Eating Out
Some establishments offer the discount off the total bill
less drinks, others just discount the card holders meal.
10% off food: Bella Italia- Cafe Rouge- KFC-STRADA
20% off food: Krispy Kreme- Red Hot World BuffetGarfunkles- Giraffe -Planet Hollywood (Not Saturdays)Frankie and Benny's (when two main courses purchased)Nandos
25% off food: Chiquito -Yo Sushi (Tues to Fri only)
89
Days Out
Rail Travel
Many attractions offer discounted entry including the
Merlin Entertainment Group, owners of Blackpool
Tower, Sea Life Centres, Alton Towers, Legoland,
Warwick Castle and Thorpe Park. Contact each venue
before visiting. www.merlinentertainments.biz
Costing £15 Her Majesty’s Forces Railcards
offer up to one third off most rail tickets.
Railcards are available for Army Reservists
and their spouses or civil partners, and
dependent unmarried children between
16 years and 18 years, or children between
18 and 25 in full time education, who are
normally resident in the household.
The Royal Collections Trust offers free entry to
Buckingham Palace including the State Rooms,
Queen’s Gallery and Royal Mews, Clarence House,
Windsor Castle, Frogmore House, and the Palace of
Holyroodhouse. www.royalcollection.org.uk
For more information go to:
www.hmforces-railcard.co.uk
Historic Royal Palaces offers discounted entry to some
of its properties including Her Majesty’s Tower of London.
www.hrp.org.uk
Transport for London
Army Reservists travelling in uniform
with a MOD 90 get free travel on London
Underground, Docklands Light Railway,
and London buses.
Always remember your personal security
when revealing you are in the Army
ARQ Spring 2015
90
Mercians
in the Middle
by Richard Ault - The Sentinel - Stoke on Trent
(The article appears by kind permission of the editor)
To the north stand 70,000 Turkish soldiers many young and nervous conscripts who patrol
the perimeter. To the south, an army of 70,000
Greek Cypriot troops, raised on stories of Turkish
invaders. In between this political, religious and
historical unrest stand just under 300 unarmed
Mercian Regiment soldiers tasked with patrolling
the buffer zone between the two forces.
C
urrently 213 soldiers from
2 Mercian and 62 reserve
troops from 4 Mercian are
taking part in operations
around Nicosia, the capital city of
Cyprus, wearing blue United Nations
berets under Operation Tosca.
The Mercians’ commanding officer,
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Gilby, said:
“We are using the new army template,
which is to integrate reserve troops with
the regulars and they have been great.
“We have got a milkman, a lift engineer, a
watchman, but out here they are
all infantry.”
Captain Lawrence Fitzpatrick said:
“Our mission is to be the eyes and ears. We
have got the ability to cover the ground.
“During patrols, we are most likely to
encounter civilians flouting the rules by
entering the buffer zone, often to hunt.
“We get a number of protests. On
November 15 the Turkish Cypriot side
held a demonstration to mark the
Beyond the Green Line people lead normal lives
ARQ Spring 2015
91
We've got a milkman
a lift engineer,
a watchman,
but out here
they're all infantry
Property abandoned in 1974
intervention by Turkish forces in 1974 and
the Cypriot Greek side will hold a counter
demonstration.”
During the period between 1964 and
1974, there followed a period of tension
and violence between the islanders of
Greek and Turkish origin. In 1974 Turkey
intervened, sending in its military after
Turkish Cypriots were attacked and
driven from their homes. Turkey accused
Greek faction of a programme of ethnic cleansing.
Now the capital city, Nicosia, is the only
divided city in the world, with residents
having to cross checkpoints and show
passports or ID cards to get from the north
to south.
A ‘Green Line’ runs through the city,
patrolled by UN troops, effectively, ‘no
man’s land’ where neither Greek nor Turk
may go, without authorisation. Each side
has been guilty of trying to extend its own
territory into the buffer zone by stealth.
The Mercians are in Cyprus to ensure
the both sides respect the buffer zone,
to reduce tensions and to prevent any
outbreaks of violence such as the shootings
and killings which have occurred in the
not-too-distant past. But despite the
simmering tensions, the Mercians have had
little trouble to break up.
However, they have been kept on their
toes when not on patrol, with adventure
training, skills and education - to ensure
they not only enhance their abilities but
are combat ready should they be required
to go into action in the future.
Corporal Ashley McGraw, of Clayton
- a veteran of two tours of duty in
Afghanistan - said: “We are patrolling
four hours-a-day, it’s a more relaxing time
after Afghanistan, we can explore the
island and go out.
“It was weird for a bit, patrolling
without weapons. At first we were on
edge, we are infantry, we are used to
patrolling with weapons and it was
strange, especially after Afghanistan.”
Private Josh Grant, of Crewe - a
reservist with 4 Mercian who manages
an out of school club in civilian life - said:
“This is my first tour and I have learned a
lot, I have got a lot more experience.
“On patrols we have met a lot of farmers
and hunters who are not happy with being
told to leave. I work in a school and that
helps with the people skills you need. It is
understanding their point of view.”
He added: “The regulars have
welcomed us, it has been really good.
I have made some good friends.”
Private Josh Grant
ARQ Spring 2015
92
ARQ
Let’s Keep
in Touch
ARQ welcomes stories from
Army Reserve units and personnel.
We need to be able to follow up stories easily,
so reports should have contact details for
someone who was actually involved in the
event/activity, not just refer us to the PSAO,
Bn HQ or a PR firm.
Your write up should cover:
•What it was;
•Why it happened;
•Where it happened;
•When it happened;
•Who was involved;
•How it was organised.
You should include quotes from participants,
and the name of the author if they want it to
appear with the article.
You must have authority to submit the story.
Photographs.
You must have the authority of those pictured
to use photographs showing identifiable
people.
Photographs must be at least 300 dpi, at least
1MB and sent as attached JPEGs or on a disc.
Please do not send photographs by dropbox
or embed them in documents, just send them
as attachments. Metadata can not be read so
please send captions as a word document
Caption the pictures, with full names of those
shown if appropriate, and give the name of the
photographer if they want crediting.
Email us at:
[email protected]
Or write to us at the address overleaf
ARQ Spring 2015
Internet: www.army.mod.uk/arq
Letters to ARQ
Letters to ARQ can be sent by post
or email [email protected]
ARQ reserves the right to edit letters.
If requested, letters can be published without
naming the authors.
The best contributors will
receive copies of the Soldiers
Pocket Book or logins to the app
“The Reservist is
Twice the Citizen”
Attributed to Sir Winston Churchill KG 1874-1965
Army Reservist in the Queen's Own
Oxfordshire Hussars
ARQ is published by:
Army Media & Communication
Army Headquarters
Blenheim Building
Monxton Road
Andover
Hampshire
SP11 8HT
Cover Photo:
Corporal Paul Shergold,
144 Parachute Squadron,
16 Medical Regiment.
Correspondence, articles etc should be
sent to the address above or emailed to
[email protected]
The views expressed in ARQ are not necessarily
those of the Army or Ministry of Defence.
No responsibility is accepted for the quality of
goods or services advertised in this magazine.
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