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RSM Sitrep as at 12 Oct 07
(Archive)
Well, here we are at last. Nearly everyone from the Battalion is
now in theatre, with just No.3 Company due to arrive in a few
days time. Brigade flags changed two days ago and the tour is
now well and truly under way. As I would have expected, you have
all thrown yourself into the tour from the word go. The Recce
Platoon, along with the Commanding Officer and a whole list of
Officers, Warrant and Non Commissioned Officers and Guardsmen
are currently taking the brunt of trying to sort out the
fledgling Afghan National Police. This task is going to be long
and difficult, but the whole SSR crew have really got stuck in.
The Commanding Officer has been on patrol with the Lashkar Gah
multiple and I have been up to Gereshk twice to see our boys up
there. Both of us are due to visit the OMLT and No.3 Coy at
Bastion and No.1 Coy in Kabul next week if the flights permit.
LSgt Franks is having to endure endless mickey-taking due to the
fact that he must wear a Tam O Shanter as part of the Brigade
Commanders Protection Team. There is a photograph of the
offending article on this site, probably under the Lashkar Gah
section. Drill Sergeant Quinton and his small team, along with a
dozen ANP are up in Kajaki, apparently living like drugs barons
in a Villa overlooking the lake. Captain ‘Lucky’ Reilly has had
an interesting couple of weeks by all accounts and is now in a
position to write a best selling book about his exploits.
The boys attached to Right Flank have been very busy up in the
Upper Gereshk Valley, working out of FOB ARNHEM. They will post
a detailed report themselves when they come out of the line for
maintenance. Meanwhile, on the G4 front, Sgt Walton, LSgt
Emmerson, LCpls Colborne and Johnson have made themselves
invaluable in Lashkar Gah, effectively being the driving force
behind the 258 Sigs QMs Department. That said, LSgt Emmerson
disappeared to Kandahar Airfield ten days ago and hasn’t yet
returned – apparently having become ensconsed in the Pizza Hut
there.
Out in Bastion, The Master Tailor, Lance Sergeant McGowan and
LCpl Davies are doing their level best to support our troops who
are spread across the whole theatre. Shortly, they will be
reinforced by the Technical Quartermaster Sergeant in order to
give them some more clout. Staff Sergeant Hewart and nine chefs,
along with the Mortar Platoon, are all up in Gereshk doing their
bit.
So, we are well and truly into it. Remember troops, don’t let
your standards slip. Be professional and think through every
situation. Don’t take random chances and shortcuts. Watch your
force protection measures at all times. When it’s time to
conduct offensive action, then be decisive and aggressive –
don’t let the enemy rest.
Maintain your clothing, equipment and weapons in good order.
A few points:
INFANTRY BATTLE SCHOOL / HDPRCC
The Commanding Officer and I intend to keep subscribing to
command and promotion courses throughout the tour. This is vital
to ensure that we don’t run out of trained NCOs next year.
Remember, No.2 Coy will need to be reformed in April next year.
Those on PSBC and SCBC are doing well at the moment and the next
courses are due in Jan 08. Those attending the January courses
will return to UK in order to attend the HDPRCC pre-course in
December. This is essential to give you a chance to ‘come down’
off your operational high, not to mention giving you the chance
to have a good blast on your fitness and get you in the right
frame of mind for the course. We also need to keep feeding the
LCpls Course at HDPRCC so if there are any rising stars amongst
your Guardsmen, get them sent back for the course. It only lasts
six weeks and you will get a superbly trained individual back.
We must continue to focus on the long term operational
capability of the Battalion.
I spoke to WO2 Pote yesterday who will shortly return to us
having completed a two year tour at the Battle School as an
instructor on SCBC. He is going to bring back with him a
training pack containing all the latest TAM inserts and handouts
in order to assist individuals with course preparation.
PROGRAMME FOR 2008
The flag change at the end of this tour is
(**deleted for
security reasons),
with every Coldstreamer currently expected back by
(**deleted for
security reasons).
There will be a two week reorg period in Windsor which will
include tunic fitting, home service issue, etc. Leave is
currently scheduled for(**deleted
for security reasons).
We then spend some time sorting out for public duties, including
street lining for the Troop. This year we managed to crack
street lining in just four hours due to your hard work on the
square and the fact that every member of the Battalion mucked
in. I would like to repeat that again next year. We will also
need to brush up on the procedure for Guard Mount, but given the
relatively short time frame, my wish is to do this in a
sensible, practical fashion, without any unnecessary time on the
square. That of course will depend on your hard work. We will
also take time to educate the Warrant and Non Commissioned
Officers on procedures for In Waiting duties, Discipline, etc.
All LSgts and LCpls will require Piquet Canes and all LSgts and
above will require Pace Sticks. I am arranging for some issued
pace-sticks for everybody to use, but if you value your thumb
ligaments, it will be worth investing in a racing stick. ALL
Coldstream Sergeants Mess Members will be pace-sticking next
year. After the Troop, we return to public duties, conducting
them in blocks of no more than seven days. At the moment I
intend to run an open roll system in order to spread the work
load, but I still need to discuss this in detail with the
Commanding Officer designate. Also, between Jun – Jul, there
will be 6 x 5 day rotations for 30 pax each at the Guards
Adventure Training Wing at Capel Curig. August will see us with
another three weeks leave. Our move to Aldershot is currently
scheduled for Jan/Feb 09.
TRAUMA RISK MANAGEMENT
ALL Commanders at all levels are required to evaluate the need
for TRiM referral amongst their men following major incidents /
troops in contact. There is nothing to be afraid of and no
stigma will be attached. TRiM is a management and leadership
tool. The more we use it, the more normal it will become. Most
importantly, it will prevent a great many problems further down
the line. The whole process is designed to reinforce the moral
component of fighting power and must be used when appropriate.
AND FINALLY
So far, so good. ‘Lean into the hills and work hard’ as the
saying goes. Show the people of Helmand that we are a force for
good. Show the Taliban that the Coldstream Guards are their
worst nightmare come true. Wear your Blue, Red, Blue flashes and
52 Brigade insignia with pride. Take your bayonets forward and
drive all before you.
ONE TEAM – ONE
FIGHT
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