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Second to None Section

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Second to None
(The Coldstream Guards Newsletter)
Edition 10
Apr - May 07

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LSgt Wall


Ascension Island


An elephant, with very large ears!


A African Morale Boost

At the beginning of 2007 Number One Company deployed to Lohatla, South Africa on Exercise African Thorn. After a brief yet enjoyable stop off at Ascension Island the Company arrived in South Africa courtesy of the RAF. For the first nine days the Company deployed on to the Training Area to undergo low level Section/Platoon training. Getting used to the heat was the first obstacle. After some well earned rest the Company moved on to the Live Firing Package that included an impressive fire power demonstration from the Mortar Platoon.




After a fire power demonstration given to the South African Army and a visit from the Commanding Officer and the Regimental Sergeant Major the Company started a Field Training Exercise putting in to practice all that had been learnt over the past weeks. The Company worked extremely hard and were pleased when it came to the decompression phase that included white water rafting, a safari and a battlefield tour of Rorkes Drift. This was a fantastic opportunity for members of the Company to see more of South Africa and to let their hair down before moving back to Windsor.



 

Horses for Courses
Just a FEW of the courses that are available to you whilst serving in Battalion.
 

MILITARY COURSE DATES 2007
All Arms Search Team Course	Jun 07
HAZMAT Course	Jun 07
Team Medic Course	Jul 07
Helicopter Handling Instructor Course	Jul 07
Lance Corporals Course	Aug - Oct 07
Physical Training Instructor Course	Sep – Nov 07
Lance Corporals Course	Oct – Nov 07

 

SPORT COURSES
Basketball Skills	Jul 07
Boxing ABAE Assistant Coach	May 07
Boxing Skills	Jul 07

BATTALION TRAINING



With Operation HERRICK on the horizon, the Battalion deployed to Salisbury Plain Training Area on Exercise Wessex Warrior at the beginning of May for the start of the pre deployment training. Members of the Battalion can be seen above going through the Urban Confidence Course at Copehill Down.



Other training involved learning how to use the Grenade Machine Gun (pictured above) and the .50 Browning Machine Gun (pictured Below). The Grenade Machine Gun is capable of accurate long range fire against point targets up to 1500 metres and area targets up to 2000 metres. The normal rate of fire in bursts is 16 rounds per minute and the rapid rate is 32 rounds per minute.


 

St Georges Day



During Exercise Wessex Warrior the Battalion made time to celebrate St Georges Day in true Coldstream Style. The traditional re-enactment of Saint George slaying the Dragon and saving the Damsel in distress took place.

CAST
Saint George:  Regimental Sergeant Major
Dragon:  LCpl Colburn
Damsel in Distress:  LSgt McGowan



 

Physical Training Instructor


Gdsm Ash & LCpl Simmons

You can become a Physical Training Instructor in the Coldstream Guards.
All Physical Training Instructors have attended the 9 week All Arms Physical Training Instructor Course at the Army School of Physical Training at Aldershot.  The course trains and equips individuals with the skills needed to train Trained Soldiers for operations and general health and fitness. As an AAPTI you would be expected to guide individuals and large groups of people on an almost daily basis, as well as supporting Battalion level Sporting and military skills events. PTI’s are responsible for testing and recording Mandated Annual Training Tests that are physically based. Once having successfully completed the AAPTI course and having suitable experience combined with bolt on qualifications Non Commissioned Officer PTI’s become eligible to attempt selection for transfer to the Army Physical Training Corps where they will be tested on a wide range of Physical and Academic subjects. Upon successful selection AAPTI’s have to complete a 30 week Probationers Course prior to Gaining their ‘Cross Swords Cap Badge’ and subsequently Transferring!
 

Second to None
The Regimental Newsletter
for the
1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
Produced by the Coldstream Guards Regimental Recruiting Team