|
RSM Sitrep as at 17 Nov 07
(Archive)
Regimental Sergeant Major’s Update
WO1(RSM) Andy Johnson - Reverse SITREP
It has been a very busy period indeed for all the Coldstreamers
in theatre with the pace of Op HERRICK 7 increasing rapidly to
match the Brigade Commanders intent. Those involved with the ANP
reform programme have been driving on doggedly with the
difficult task of transforming them into a credible police
force, led by the Commanding Officer and ably supported by Capts
Pepper, Raley, Sugden, Lt Joyce, DSgt Quinton, WO2 Murphy, LSgt
Toginavalu and the entire Recce Platoon. Major Brinn and his
OMLT crew have broken out of Camp Shorabak with Kandak 4 in tow
and are now based out of FOB Price at Gershk.
No.1 Coy continue to patrol the mean streets of Kabul and
support a wide range of special agencies of various
nationalities. They have also conducted some joint patrolling
with the US troops who are based nearby.
I was privileged to jump on a rare resupply heli-lift to Patrol
Base KEENAN last week and spent a fantastic five days with No.3
Company Group, which includes a Mortar Section under Sgts Jarvis
and Bolton, a Javelin Section under LSgt Wallis and a Machine
Gun Section under Drum Major Roberts. The whole Company is on
great form and morale is sky high despite the arduous conditions
in which they are living. There are some photographs below to
illustrate this.
No.3 Coy have adapted well to their circumstances. They have
produced all sorts of home comforts out of standard military
equipment, including a H83 Container Deep Fat Fryer complete
with perforated Mess Tin Scoop, Hesco Sofas and much more
besides. Most of the Platoons and Support Company sections have
also taken to keeping chickens in order to supplement their
compo rations. The Mortar Section had two, named Tikka and
Masala. Sadly, only Tikka remains after Masala drew the short
straw after a particularly bad compo menu arrived (The fruit
dumplings in treacle sauce one, eeuugh!)
The LAD crew under Sgt Dale Turner are working extremely hard
under very difficult conditions and their adaptability is key in
making sure that the Coy’s vehicles remain on the road. CSgt
Douglas, the CQMS is doing his level best to keep them supplied
from the rear link at Camp BASTION, but he and his crew are
working all hours god sends, just to get the basics up to them.
Mail is a much appreciated rarity and I would encourage all
family and friends to keep sending the No.3 Coy boys little
parcels of morale. Dried pasta, cooking sauces, biscuits, shower
gel and washing powder are all useful items. Anything that helps
them keep clean or gives them a break from compo rations will be
much appreciated.
I have always felt privileged to be the Regimental Sergeant
Major of the Coldstream Guards, but I have never felt so proud
or humble as I did during my visit to No.3 Coy. The courage of
individuals like Gdsm Whyebrow, Dunn, Anderson, Patterson,
Pickard, LCpls McHugh and Fleming and many, many others, not to
mention the sheer fortitude displayed by all ranks was truly
inspirational. You can all be immensely proud of what No.3 Coy
are doing in our name. The Coy Comd (Maj Charles), Capt
Johnston, CSM Spence Wright and CSgt Nath’ Allen are running a
tight ship and juggling the many tasks admirably. The Platoon
Commanders, Platoon Sergeants and Section Commanders and 2i/cs
are earning their pay tenfold. Some individuals have acquired
new nick-names, such as Sgt ‘Collateral Cliff’ Hanger.
My orderly, LCpl Shakey Marks (who’s ministrations I am missing
terribly!) is having a whale of a time up at KEENAN and says he
doesn’t want to come back. Not sure I’m sold on the idea, but
whatever keeps him happy…
The attachments to the Coy from the Welsh Guards are fully
integrated into the platoons and working extremely hard
alongside their Coldstream colleagues. I was lucky enough to
share a water-filled ditch with one of them the other day (can’t
remember if he was a Davis or a Jones!) and he was good enough
to impart a considerable amount of Welsh wisdom to me as we
paddled around.
Finally, I must thank Mr McMahon and Sgt Hutt for allowing me to
share their big adventure the other day. So, on to some random
bits of Regimentalia…
Sergeants’ Mess Forecast
One of my favourite forms of escapism over here in Afghanistan
is planning all kinds of crazy activities for next year. Here is
a sketch of what I have come up with so far. Any more ideas will
be more than welcome so please feel free to e-mail me via
ArmyNET with any thoughts on functions, etc.
|
April 08 |
St George’s
Day Celebrations |
Gunfire, Champagne Breakfast,
Drumhead Service, Pageant of St George and St George’s Day
Lunch. |
|
Apr 08 TBC |
Freedom of
Windsor Parade with HCR |
Followed by families afternoon
in the Sgts’ Mess and on the Bks Green. Buffet Lunch. |
Apr TBC
|
Working Lunch
for Bri Dart, Kev Smith and Jeb Cooper
|
Stag lunch. Ladies in bar
afterwards. |
|
Apr TBC |
Farewell
Dinner for Comd Offr |
Mess Dress |
|
Jun TBC |
Farewell
Dinner for DMaj Taylor |
Mess Dress |
|
Jun 08 TBC |
Troop/Summer/Welcome Home Ball. |
|
|
Jun 08 |
All comers
Happy Hour |
Incl Offrs and ERE |
|
Jul 08 |
Families BBQ. |
Shorts and T-Shirts |
|
Jul 08 |
Offrs v Sgts
Mess Cricket |
High Tea and Bar |
|
Jul 08 |
Cpls to Sgts
Mess |
RSM brief, curry and beer. |
|
Sept TBC |
GIVE ME SOME
IDEAS!!!! |
|
|
Oct 08 |
Hallowe’en
Ball |
Fancy Dress, Band, and all
sorts of weird stuff! |
|
Oct 08 |
All comers
Happy Hour |
Incl Offrs and ERE |
|
Nov 08 |
Guy Fawkes
Supper |
Wellies and woolly hats, baked
potatoes, hot dogs and beer. Children until 2100 hrs. |
|
Nov 08 |
All comers
Happy Hour |
Incl Offrs and ERE |
|
Dec 08 – all dates TBC |
Sgts v Offrs
Mess Football
Christmas Cake Competition
Hanging the Brick
Christmas Draw |
|
Hopefully
there is a bit of something for everyone, but remember that
socialising is a participation sport, so don’t be shy with your
suggestions. Can’t guarantee they will all come off but all
ideas will be carefully considered.
New Mess Manager
Great news! Sgt Ben Price, our very own cuddly ginger bear and
former Medical Sergeant has agreed to accept the post of Sgts’
Mess Manager on our return to Windsor. This is fantastic news
for the Mess and I am extremely grateful to Ben for volunteering
his services. He will run a good, tight ship for us, and as you
are all aware, Ben and his good Missus have always been staunch
Mess Members. I would ask all of you to support him as he gets
stuck into his new job in April.
Sergeants’ Mess Cricket Team
I intend to field a Sgts’ Mess Cricket Team next summer, in
order to humiliate the Offrs Mess well in advance of our annual
victory over them in Football in December. Sgt Richie Walton
from Tech’ has agreed to Captain the Sgts’ 1st Eleven. All
budding cricketers should speak to him on return to obtain
details of pre-match training. Cricket is what made the British
Empire and it is also a good excuse for a jolly old knees up one
sunny afternoon in Windsor.
LE Commissioning Board
Congratulations to WO1 Ady Hunter on picking up his LE
Commission on the recent Board. The WO2s to WO1s Board sits
shortly and by the time I post my next update I should be in a
position to let you know who the lucky individuals are who
picked up.
Coldstream Penpals
If you are a single man with no significant other, then send me
a photograph of yourself (decent – not rude!) and a little CV
including your name, age, home-town, interests, hobbies, etc and
I will send them off to Maj Whitaker of the Coldstream
Association who is running the Coldstream Pen-pals scheme. Your
details will be forwarded to a daughter, sister, grand-daughter,
niece, employee or female friend of an Association Member in
your home town and hopefully you will get a nice letter or two,
probably heavily perfumed! The offer extends to young Officers
too, so don’t be shy gentlemen. BE ADVISED – I take no
responsibility for whatever happens afterwards; I’m just the
messenger. I would prefer the photo/CV on disc, preferably by
Coy or Platoon, but hard copy will be fine.
In Summary
Time just seems to be railroading ahead at the moment. Already I
am dealing with more and more business for 2008 which can only
be a good sign. I can almost hear the drill boots stamping on
the square already! Keep working hard fellas and keep smiling.
Ladies, Mums and Dads, keep the parcels and letters coming
because it really makes a difference to the troops.
Additionally, make sure you tell everybody you come into contact
with what a fantastic job your loved ones are doing. Believe me
– you can be proud of each and every one of them. Very proud
indeed.
ONE TEAM – ONE
FIGHT
|
