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RSM Sitrep as at 11 Sep 07
(Archive)
Current Deployment - RSM/Sgts Mess
The aim of this page is to keep Sergeants’ Mess Members up to
speed with Mess Business and also to act as an interface between
those serving on Op HERRICK, those on Rear Party, and those at
ERE. In short, a CC1 message service for all things Non
Commissioned Officer and Warrant Officer related. If I get
really bored, I will fill it full of really exciting stories
about what I am getting up to in Lashkar Gha! For those who
didn’t know – I will be based there throughout the tour filling
the post of SO3 Influence at Brigade Headquarters.
From this lofty height, the Commanding Officer and I will be
doing our best to keep you all up to date with Regimental
business. In addition, we will attempt to visit as many
Coldstreamers in theatre as we possibly can, without getting in
the way of anybody’s private war of course. With deployment
imminent then, here are a few Sgts’ Mess issues in overview:
Mess Closedown
This took place on Fri 07 Sep 07. Mess Members on Rear Party
will continue to live in the building, but take their meals in
the Junior Ranks Dining Room. The Washing Machines will remain
in place and working. All other facilities are closed until the
Bn recovers to Windsor in Mar/Apr 07. The guest rooms will be
available over limited dates only. Booking is through the DSgt
Rear Party and he will hold the keys for these rooms. All Mess
Members are to box up their rooms and leave the boxes stacked
neatly and in situ, preferably on top of the beds, desks, in
order to facilitate deep cleaning if required.
Pay As You Dine
This will descend on Victoria Barracks from Jan 08. At the
moment, I am under the impression that the impact on the Sgts’
Mess will be minimal. The bar will remain firmly in our hands.
The Mess Manager and the bulk of the staff will remain
Coldstream. You may see the odd civvy waitress and almost
certainly civvy chefs. Food will be paid for as you dine through
whatever system is established, which means that tea and toast
and casual meals will be self funding and no longer payable
through Mess Bills. Other than that, I don’t think there should
be too much change. My main concern is that the cost of
Regimental Functions does not become excessive. I will monitor
this closely with the contract manager and Quartermaster. We
will be entitled to a number of functions that are free of
labour costs as part of the contract. This should help to keep
costs down.
Regimental Arrivals / Farewells
In the not too distant future, WO2 Davey Mann will return from
Op HERRICK 6 and spend a few weeks under the Rear Party umbrella
whilst he takes his leave and conducts some admin, before
heading of to Brunei for a two year posting in the Spring of
next year. In December 07, CSM Jones will return from RMAS and
spend a few months as the Rear Party Warrant Officer whilst
attending some courses in preparation for his next appointment.
Sadly, a number of people will be heading off for good on
completion of 22 years service. DSgt Dec Donaghy finishes at
ITC(C) in November 07 and will retire to Newcastle with his
family. All Mess Members wish Dec, Gill, Thomas and Lucy all the
very best for the future up in the ‘Toon. WO2 Dave Waller and
LSgt Steve Thompson ‘The Barnsley Bomber’ will eventually fade
away towards Christmas 07 having been dined out in July. Again,
we wish them all the best for the future when they eventually
step off.
As the Bn starts to recover from Op HERRICK we will also lose
DSgt Bri’ Dart and CQMS Kev Smith on completion of 22 years
service. A function will be held to say farewell to them,
details to follow when next years programme and recovery dates
are clearer. This will take the form of an all singing / all
dancing working lunch with all Mess Members at ERE welcome to
attend. Dates to follow. Drum Major Taylor will also move off in
May/June 08 and he too will receive a 22 year farewell. There
will also be a function in May/June 08 to say farewell to the
present Commanding Officer who will be due to hand over to Lt
Col TW Gray on our return to Windsor.
Welcome Home / Summer Function
Part of the reason for paying an entertainments contribution
throughout the tour is to help build up the entertainments fund
for a large Summer function on our return. Whether this takes
the form of a welcome home function or a Troop Ball really
depends on the recovery and post-tour- leave dates.
Past and Present / Coldstream Association
The Past and Present Dinner will take place in Oct 07, once the
Battalion has deployed. I would appeal to all Coldstream
Sergeants’ Mess Members on Rear Party, in No.7 Coy and at ERE to
do their level best to attend this, in order to ensure that the
present membership is well represented. The Dinner is always a
good night and I will send a letter to the President to be read
on the night.
There will also be a large number of branch dinners during the
Winter months, and once again, I would ask all Coldstreamers
based in the UK to do their very best to support the Association
by attending their local branch dinner on the behalf of the
serving members.
Black Weekend 2008
Due to the forecast return dates and subsequent leave period, it
is unlikely that the 1st Bn will be able to host Black Weekend
2008 in Victoria Barracks. I have yet to discuss the details
with RHQ and will post more information when I have it.
Leadership
I will finish this update with my usual harangue on leadership.
You, the Sgts’ Mess Members are the Junior Leaders of the
Battalion – the ‘Battle Winners’. Grand Strategy counts for
naught when the bullets start flying. You are the people who
will make the difference. Lead your soldiers well; work them
hard and enforce high standards and strict battle-discipline at
all times. I understand that most of you will be operating under
pretty grim conditions. I do not expect you to dress as if you
were on barrack guard, but I do expect every member of the
Battalion to dress and act like a professional British Soldier,
rather than some Hollywoodesque Mercenary. Adhere to strict
hygiene procedures and look after your weapons, vehicles and
equipment. Ensure your troops are as rested as is possible,
especially your drivers. Pay attention to your soldiers. In
between the high intensity shouting, screaming, hand chopping
and QBOs, your troops will need just a quiet word of
encouragement here and there, not to mention some good humour.
All of this you will deliver – I have no doubt. Remember that
wherever you are serving within Afghanistan you are representing
this fine Regiment and Battalion. You are a soldier and
commander in the Sovereign’s own Bodyguard Division of the
British Army.
Set the example for others to follow, but do so with a sense of
magnanimity and grounding. Do not be arrogant or pretentious
with others. We are extremely proud of who and what we are, but
we also do our bit for the wider Army and greater-good. That is
the true indicator of an elite formation or unit.
ONE TEAM – ONE
FIGHT
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