Senior Royal Marines Officer's Inspection (SRMO's) Beckenham Camp, 1-3 October 2005
We were probably the best camoflaged unit
under assessment with L/Cpl Watts conducting
an excellent briefing and model making
demonstration. Minor issues with weapons
handling and safety drillsprior to the
exercise, undoubtedly caused by our lack
of regular access to L98 Cadet rifles were
ironed out before the examination with
some remedial lessons. However, the issue
of two LSW machine guns to the section
instead of the anticipated one caused some
problems and meant MC Fergusson, who had
never handled this weapon before was forced
to carry it into battle.
The section formations and battle drills were carried out efficiently, albeit with some interference from blank firing safety staff, slowing the impetus of the attack. The long final assaultleg caused some difficulties, particularly for the smaller cadets and the narrow valley chosen as the enemy position created challenges for L/Cpl Lansdown and MC Hughes to move into suitable positions to search the enemy dead.
Ultimately St Albans were graded 'Good' and placed 4th in Eastern Area, receiving a mark of 73%, only two % below the 75 required for the top grade. This is still an improvement on last year and with very little extra work a position in the 'top three' and a 'Very Good' status are eminently acheivable next year.
An afternoon on the newly acquired electronic range made the day, with all cadets firing off over 200 rounds during videoed ambush and river crossing scenarios. The lesson of 'dash, down, crawl,observe, sights, fire....' being thoroughly learned,with MC Ashcroft particularly realising the benefits of dashing sideways, not straight at the enemy!!
Saturday night concluded with a grueling 5 mile night navigation exercise. St Albans were the third unit to leave camp and after a tentative start quickly acquired their night vision and developed confidence in marching on compass bearings and measuring distance by their 'paces'. Ultimately they entered the 1/2 way rendevous point (RVP) ahead ofall other units and even after a first aid stop todeal with L/Cpl Wales' blisters (break in your newboots before camp Laurie), were second back into camp, with a faster time and more 'checkpoints' than any other unit in Eastern Area. An excellent result- but still allowing some room for individual improvement in navigation skills.
Finally on Sunday morning, after practicing the assault course twice the section began preparing for this years drill competition, anticipating an improvement in last years third place.
Excellent power of command from L/Cpl Watts and more suprisingly from MC Ashcroft resulted in a formidable demonstration of 'Forming to the rightand left' and 'Saluting on the march' leaving other detachments in awe of what to expect later this year! A superb weekend over all, culminating in L/Cpl Watts being awarded his well deserved Acting Corporal stripes, pending his attendance on a promotion cadre this December. Well done to you all.
Sgt P. Lansdown MCD October 2005