Yes Minister! REME team forges ahead with 1000mph car project

Major Oli Morgan is the Team Leader for the Army’s involvement in the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car project.  As an Aircraft Engineering Officer in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, his technical background on Apache is used to good effect to provide the Bloodhound team with technical advice on Engineering Assurance. In addition to his engineering role he is also responsible for recruiting each 6 month attachment of personnel and managing the team on a day to day basis.

Defence Minister visits

It was great to see the Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology last week at the Bloodhound SSC Technical Centre in Bristol. Philip Dunne MP visited the Army Team from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) working on Bloodhound SSC to see what we had been doing since we saw him at the signing of the MoD-Bloodhound Concordat in Oct 2012.

Minister was impressed how we had integrated into the civilian team building the 1000 mph car and the ground breaking work the guys had been doing. I took the Minister around the workshop to allow each of the REME team to explain their role and what they had achieved during their attachment, which is fast coming to an end in March 13 (Details of the new team coming soon).

Left to Right: Philip Dunne MP, Cfn Rob Fenn, WO2 (AQMS) Mark Edwin, Maj Oli Morgan. Image by Stefan Marjoram

Craftsman Rob Fenn, our most junior tradesman (his rank is equivalent to Private Soldier), showed Philip Dunne MP the work that been done on the Super Sonic car’s lower chassis. Cfn Fenn has been part of a small group building this section of the car and he has also had the opportunity to work with Lee Giles, a very experienced mechanic formerly at McLaren R&D. The Minister was impressed by how much exposure Cfn Fenn had to wider engineering and his goal to work towards a Degree in Automotive Engineering.

Cfn Rob Fenn working with Lee Giles. Image by Stefan Marjoram

Bloodhound Team working on the rear lower chassis at the Bristol Technical Centre. Image by Stefan Marjoram

As a footnote to Cfn Rob Fenn’s role on the project, I must put his experience into perspective – he is 20 years old and has recently completed his apprenticeship after completing training at the Army’s School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. He was selected as an outstanding candidate in the REME interview process and has impressed Bloodhound’s F1 engineers and designers with his work ethic, willingness to muck in and drive to expand his knowledge. This knowledge transfer – in essence rocket powered professional development – is one of the key benefits of the MOD’s Concordat with Bloodhound. It will create a lasting legacy in each REME soldier’s career and have a positive impact on the Army’s ability to support equipment maintenance and repair, especially on Operations.

Origins of the Ministry’s Concordat with Bloodhound

The origins of the MOD Concordat go back to last year at a chance meeting between Peter Luff MP, then Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology, and Richard Noble. The meeting at DE&S’s Defence Vehicle Demonstration event led to an agreement being proposed that would draw together the various strands of collaborative work that already existed between the MOD and Bloodhound. This would provide a platform for deepening the relationship and express the Department’s and the Minister’s own belief in this ground breaking education project and the benefits that it will return to the Department and the Armed Forces.

Peter Luff MP and Richard Noble. Image by Ashleigh Kane Photography

But nothing in politics is straightforward and before we knew it we had a new Min(DEST). Fortunately, the new Minister, Philip Dunne MP was just as excited about the project and progress on the agreement continued at pace. On 1 October 2012 we were all present in the Officers’ Mess at Wellington Barracks in London to witness the signing of the Concordat by the Minister and Richard Noble amongst a throng of broadcast and newspaper journalists. BFBS TV Report

From Philip Dunne MP: “This is a great opportunity for the Army’s Electrical and Mechanical engineers to share experience and develop their skills whilst working on this innovative technology here in the UK; their experience will feed directly back into the front line as they progress through their Army careers.”

At last week’s visit to Bristol, the Minister got to see an example of REME tradesmen working at the cutting edge of technical development when I handed him over to WO2 (AQMS) Mark Edwin to explain his role developing the primary control system for the developmental EJ200 TYPHOON engines. The control avionics will allow Bloodhound’s driver, Wing Commander Andy Green, to control the engine and get the car up to speed before the rocket kicks in and blasts the car through the sound barrier.

In the next blog I will touch on the work the electronic systems team have been doing with the EJ200 engine and the Minister’s reaction to the news that the WO2 (AQMS) Edwin and the team have built a system to control the engine which has been successfully tested on Rolls Royce’s engine simulator.

First job for REME: Europe’s Largest Hybrid Rocket

Major Oli Morgan is the Team Leader for the Army’s involvement in the Bloodhound SuperSonic Car project.  As an Aircraft Engineering Officer in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, his technical background on Apache is used to good effect to provide the Bloodhound team with technical advice on Engineering Assurance. In addition to his engineering role, he is also responsible for recruiting each six-month attachment of personnel and managing the team on a day-to-day basis.

Bloodhound. MOD/Crown copyright – Sgt Adrian Harlen

The interview

While the Bloodhound-Army contract was being developed, I took the decision to start the recruitment process to find the best possible REME candidates to fill four positions working with Bloodhound SSC to build a car capable of 1000 mph . It was essential that this selection be completed as soon as possible as there was a risk that contract negotiations would continue up to the proposed start date on 1 Sep 12.

I spent a long time reflecting on how the interviews should be conducted and who was to be on the interview panel. It was absolutely vital that potential candidates could be assessed by both senior Bloodhound engineers as well as REME officers. Also, to ensure that the process was transparent and fair, a marking scheme/range of competencies had to be agreed between both parties. I was very grateful for the support of Colonel Rod Williams (Army Chief Aircraft Engineer) and Mark Chapman (Bloodhound Chief Engineer) in the design of the interview format, which included trade competencies, team work, integrity and secondary skills.

On a warm day in July 2012 and after a brief tour around Training Schools in Arborfield, the joint Bloodhound-REME panel got down to the business of interviewing tradesmen for four posts on the build team. Thirty outstanding applicants were hosted in historic West Court Officers’ Mess.  Getting the hundred initial applications down to thirty was a real challenge as the standard was incredibly high.

The panel was made up of the Head of Manning (REME Corps Colonel – Ian Gibson), Col Rod Williams and from Bloodhound Mark Chapman plus Chris Dee (Chief Mechanic) and Martyn Davidson (Operations Manager).

The interview questions were designed to assess candidates competencies e.g. “can you give me an example when you demonstrated leading a team?” with particular emphasis on providing the interviewee the best opportunity to explain their key skills and why they felt they should be considered by the team.

Left to right: Chris Dee (Col Ian Gibson out of shot), Martyn Davidson, Mark Chapman, Col Rod Williams, Cfn Rob Fenn.

I was very interested to hear what the Bloodhound team thought of the standard of REME Artificers (Fast track middle management) and our NCOs/tradesmen. They were very impressed by the breadth of interviewees’ experience, particularly in very challenging circumstances and the need to think laterally/creatively when faced with a plethora of technical issues. Also the ability to speak clearly and confidently in what must have been an intimidating experience.

Rocket trials begin

The four tradesmen selected were Avionics Warrant Officer (AQMS) Mark Edwin, Artificer Vehicles SSgt Neil Gallagher, Metalsmith LCpl Graham Sargeant and Vehicle Mechanic Cfn Rob Fenn. I had the honour of calling each of them in turn and listening to the woops and celebrations (and silent dancing) at the other end of a mobile phone!

Cfn Rob Fenn
Credit: Stefan Marjoram

I met up with the team met up for the first time at the start of September 2012 in Colerene to take over accommodation before moving off to the Bloodhound Technical Centre in Bristol for introductory meetings and welcomes. The first of which was a full Bloodhound team engineering meeting with around twenty of us being briefed on the project thus far – Craftsman Rob Fenn looked shocked when Wing Commander Andy Green sat down next to him and introduced himself.After the meeting the REME team were straight into the business of engineering and support to the rocket programme and deployed immediately to Cornwall. The main effort for the Bloodhound team during our very first month was to install the Rocket Trial test facility in Newquay Airport. This meant a busy period of assembly to structurally secure the test rig and its associated parts, including an emergency deluge gantry to soak the entire operation in the event of a leak of High Test Peroxide (HTP).

The rocket trial was held in front of the international press with more than 100,000 people watching online. I can vividly recall the sound of the control centre buzzing with a mix of nervous excitement and expectation before the Cosworth Engine started its run up routine. The noise of the engine alone was incredible – team members suggested turning the speaker sound down to be told the sound was coming from the other HAS and coming through the walls! Then start: Cosworth engine at 16,000 rpm – rocket ignition – the build up of sound and vibration and the ROAR of the hybrid rocket….then the cheers from the crowd!

High class Engineers

The first few months has seen a frantic level of work whilst integrating into a world leading team of engineers. I am pleased to report that the REME team have been well received and we have held our own.

Bloodhound team inspecting the rocket after firing. Credit Stefan Marjoram

Receiving positive feedback from our new colleagues has been immensely humbling and has dispelled any concerns that we may have been out of our depth.  Our technical skills have been put to good use with the opportunity to demonstrate the positive work ethic and initiative displayed by all service personnel.  We have also been grateful for the chance to publicly showcase wider REME capability to the civilian sector who appear eager to recruit high class engineers and managers.

Supersonic project takes off

Major Oli Morgan is the Team Leader for the Army’s involvement in the Bloodhound SuperSonic Car project.  As an Aircraft Engineering Officer in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, his technical background on Apache is used to good effect to provide the Bloodhound team with technical advice on Engineering Assurance. In addition to his engineering role, he is also responsible for recruiting each six-month attachment of personnel and managing the team on a day-to-day basis.

Bloodhound SuperSonic Car

Bloodhound SuperSonic Car (SSC) is the name of a UK project aiming to break the land speed record with a car powered by a jet engine and a hybrid rocket motor. The car has a design speed of 1,050 mph (1,609 km/h).

Bloodhound SSC is being developed and built with the intention of breaking the land speed record by the largest ever margin to inspire future generations of schoolchildren into careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Record attempts are aimed for late 2013 (850 mph) and 2014 (1,050 mph) on the Hakskeen Pan in South Africa, with run data being published on the internet for the student population to follow and download.

The Bloodhound SSC project is headed by Richard Noble OBE, former driver of Thrust 2, who broke the land speed record and achieved 633 mph in 1983.  In 1997, RAF Wing Commander Andy Green set the current record at 763 mph in Thrust SSC, and he has joined Richard Noble once more for the Bloodhound Project.

At the end of 2011, Richard Noble approached the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) to lease technical manpower, workshop equipment and deployable engineering facilities. The proposal was put to Major General Paul Jaques and the REME Corps Colonel and received unanimous support. However, the initiative required careful financial modelling and – more importantly – approval.

Bloodhound Project Director Richard Noble OBE

I was asked to staff the proposal through the Army financial chain along with a case setting out the benefits of involvement before it was sent to the Chief of the General Staff and then to the then Permanent Under Secretary (PUS) Ursula Brennan.

In considering the benefits of the REME’s involvement, I spoke with a wide range of interested parties in recruitment, training, procurement and scientific domains. I knew that the project would provide REME team members with ‘rocket powered’ professional development and benefit the field force by bringing cutting-edge knowledge and expertise back into the Army. The benefits, however, went much further…

The potential for Army Electrical and Mechanical engineers to engage with a young student population was unique. Using technology owned by every family to tell the story of science and engineering, we had the opportunity to inspire young people into STEM careers with the excitement and danger of the land speed record!

This meant that we could support the growth of future British scientists and engineers. Some may join the REME or REME Territorial Army, and others might consider the Civil Service as a potential career path, be it Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) or the Defence Scientific & Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

Even if those individuals inspired into STEM careers did not consider the Defence sector, they will be able to make a contribution to the wider economy and support growing sectors such as the civil nuclear industry.

Outreach with schools to inspire the next generation of engineers

After an uncomfortable wait, I received the news in May 2012 that the proposal had been agreed by Chief of the General Staff in consultation with PUS and a contract could be written by Army HQ’s Wider Markets team who specialise in requests by industry to lease Army resources. After another round of staffing, contract writing by the commercial staff (an excellent learning experience!) and lengthy negotiation, Army Headquarters signed a contract with Bloodhound SSC to supply technical services and equipment over a two-year period.

All I had to do now was find four REME technical experts for the first six-month work attachment…

The Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) are amongst the world’s leading engineering and management organisations, supporting cutting-edge equipment and technology in the most challenging environments across the world

Afghanistan Sounds.

Warrant Officer Class One Shane O’Neill is the Bandmaster of the REME Band. He started his career in the Corps of Army Music with the Band of the Grenadier Guards before completing the 3 year Bandmaster at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, Earlier this year Shane was attached to the RE Band in Afghanistan.

Day 10 (02 June 12) – ISAF Headquarters, Concert

The day starts at 0700hrs with the collection of the bands passes for our concert in the ISAF Headquarters in central Kabul.  A flurry of activity as a hymn was requested that the band had not brought with them, so to the Internet and with pencil and manuscript paper it was quickly scribbled out in time for a rehearsal in the gym.

Vehicle Commanders

After lunch full PPE was donned and kit loaded onto the transport.  There were five armoured vehicles and the BSM. We were informed that there were not enough spare personnel to run the convoy, which meant we had half an hour to get up to speed on the route, comms and security procedures and act as vehicle commanders.

The trip from Camp Souter to the main road into Kabul (H7) was another stark reminder of the pressure those on longer term postings fall under every day.  Kabul itself was a bustling hive of activity with many shops and street sellers offloading their wares to crowds of local people. The thriving atmosphere was good but you were always aware that everything was a potential threat.

The garden, behind very large walls, in ISAF HQ was beautiful and quite a surprise when compared to the arid nature of the land outside the protective walls.  “Last Night of The Proms” type concert to esteemed guests; commander ISAF Forces, four star General Allen and our own Lt General Bradshaw. 

The return trip to camp was a little nervy as it was getting dark and the odd teenager would throw a stone at the vehicle which kept you alert. Safely back and unloaded by 2100hrs and after a cold drink straight to bed.

Day 11 (03 June 12) – British Embassy, Kabul

An admin morning and a chance for the band to get some much needed washing done and hung out to dry on the makeshift para cord washing lines that were strung up between the sleeping quarters.  With the washing dry and ironed it was time to load up the convoy once more and depart to the British Embassy in Kabul.  Again we act as vehicle commanders, the difference between outside and inside the wall was a shock but we arrived without incident. The band set up stage on the tennis court under a massive red, white and blue tent.

Thankfully, an uneventful trip back to Souter where I used the remaining credit on my phone card to phone home and discovered that the RE Band Brass quintet was featured on the BBC back in the UK.

Day 12 (04 June 12) – Leading the Parade

Leading the parade

Today was given over to celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and it started with the band leading a parade to the square and supporting the soldiers in a Jubilee service.  The CO awarded several meritorious certificates to local workers who had contributed well to the running of the camp over the last few months.

After lunch the coffee bar area was turned into a shrine to Britain with cardboard phone boxes, London buses, BuckinghamPalaceetc. etc.  A fantastic site BBQ was arranged by the chefs and the band provided some entertainment during the evening with the pop group continuing the motion until the CO closed procedures at 2300hrs.

Both the band and pop group worked hard and it really paid off with everyone joining in and taking part, it went a long way to taking everyone’s mind off the troubles for an evening.

 Day 13 (05 June 12)- Entering the Hot Zone

An early breakfast then packed and cleaned rooms ready to be handed back to the Quartermaster.  There was a delay of 3-4 hours to our flight to Kandahar so we hung around the coffee area until called to airport.  We arrived at Kabul airport to the news that further delays were in place.  Eventually we boarded onto a Hercules at 1600hrs; two hours flight time to Bastion and then a further hour to Kandahar.

When we arrived the area was described as a hot zone and it was policy to carry your weapon loaded at all times, have a combat tourniquet and Mark 1 field dressing in right hand pocket, makes you think! 

Day 14 (06 June 12) “The Boardwalk”

The band plays live

The band set up on “The Boardwalk”, a raised shopping area within camp that surrounded a sports area.  There was a 5k Run for Life event taking place and the band played suitable “running music” while the amazing people ran, walked, tabbed, ran backwards and ran three legged 5k to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

The band then moved the kit to the “Hero’s” (Naffi) area where another “Last Night of The Proms” concert took place and the pop band carried on the motion until late in the evening.  Once again this went down extremely well with soldiers from many countries joining in and singing along.

After the music had ended we returned to our accommodation where we heard fighting break out in the nearby mountains.  Several jets and helicopters were scrambled and a fire fight was clearly taking place.  A stark reminder that the ‘hills were not alive with the sound of music’.

Music for the Troops – Corps of Army Music

WO1 Shane O Neill

Warrant Officer Class One Shane O’Neill is the Bandmaster of the REME Band. He started his career in the Corps of Army Music with the Band of the Grenadier Guards before completing the 3 year Bandmaster at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, Earlier this year Shane was attached to the RE Band on their operational commitment to supply music for Troops in Afghanistan over the Diamond Jubilee celebrations period.

Day 1 (24 May 12) – and the Band took off…

Despite knowing the tour was to be just over three weeks much of what was learnt on pre-op training and seen through the public media weighed heavily on my mind as my wife dropped me to Brize-Norton at 2230hrs.  Here I was to meet with the Band of the Royal Corps of Engineers and await our flight to Afghanistan.

Day 2 (25 May 12)

‘Ready for Take-Off’

At 0600hrs we boarded the flight and took off on time at 0640hrs, good old RAF. I was allowed to sit in the cockpit as we flew over Crete and headed to Cyprus where the plane would land to refuel.  After a two hour wait we re-boarded and began the final leg of our outward bound journey. Sleep on the flight was elusive and I had only managed four hours in the last 36.  The first real feeling of nerves came as the pilot announced that our final approach into Camp Bastion would be in total darkness and that we should wear our body armour.  I can assure you that every single passenger felt uneasy as we descended, safely, and touched the ground at CampBastion.  There we were greeted by Captain Matthews and Staff Sergeant Holt who had travelled several days earlier to prepare for the bands arrival.  Phone cards were issued, bags collected and we were shown to our quarters, D block, Area 8, Bastion 1.

A quick explore led me to the phone cabins and I phoned home before falling into my sleeping bag at 0200hrs local time.

Day 3 (26 May 12) – a different noise and atmosphere 

I was not prepared for the noise around the tent area during the night.  To combat the heat generators rattled endlessly through the night and much helicopter activity ensured that not much more than an hour’s sleep was had by many.

Normally any troops who arrived at CampBastion would have a Day to acclimatise but due to the bands tight schedule we needed to attend RSOI immediately.  With the severe lack of sleep and the 36 degree heat we attended an intense day of classroom lectures and briefs.  There was a fun, if sobering, end to the day with a trip in the Mastiff simulator where, with full Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) we were buckled in and turned upside down.  This was to simulate the vehicle rolling over after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated nearby.  The object of this exercise was to safely unbuckle and exit the vehicle as quickly as possible.

Op Minimise has been initiated since lunchtime which was another dose of reality for band members.  This is normally put in place when casualties are transported in to the camp from more forward positions that don’t have the larger medical facilities.

The band was very pleased to roll into bed in the evening and did their best to sleep before another very hot day of training and lectures.

Day 4 (27 May 12)

Another 0430hrs start to the day but with about four hours sleep so feeling much less tired.  After a light breakfast we fully kitted up and went on a 2.4km acclimatising walk to the ranges where we would check our weapons were zeroed and that they functioned correctly.  Even at that early time in the morning it was uncomfortably hot and that short distance was not as easy as you might think.

After this we were directed to different stands and received a detailed lecture on topics such as the Law of Armed Conflict, Battlefield First Aid and a history of Afghanistan.  The temperature was 38 degrees and several small sandstorms blew through the ranges area making it another stark reminder of where we were and what members of the British Army were working in day after day.

Captain Matthews introduced the Band Sergeant Major and me to Sergeant Kerr who was to be the band liaison while we were in theatre.  A schedule for the next 2 weeks was agreed. The Air Con has packed in again in the living quarters and its reading 29 degrees.  This will make for an uncomfortable night.

Day 5 (28 May 12) – Upping the tempo

Another better night’s sleep, at least 4 hours!  With some of our commitments involving transport outside the wire another reality check was had with a trip to the QMs in order to sign out more specialist kit:  Two large plates; to be fitted front and rear of the OSPREY (body armour), a Med Pack with a morphine injector pen, bandages and a tourniquet.  We were also required to sign out 150 rounds, one magazine to be fitted to the weapon at all times and the rest to be carried should we travel outside the main camp.  It was time for all band members to up their game as having a loaded weapon upon your person was slightly unfamiliar territory.  I must admit it was strange going to the cookhouse, the showers and even the toilet with your rifle ready to fire.

The Band

In the afternoon the band set up in the chapel, which was just a large tent with whatever metal was available fashioned expertly to replicate the cross.  Here we rehearsed all the music that we would need as a full band while Capt. Matthews took part in a live radio interview for BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service).  I had arranged the very popular Afghanistan dance “The Attan” for the band and was hoping to perform it at an event coming up with some high ranking Afghanistan dignitaries present.

It was the hottest day of the year so far in Camp Bastion, 40 degrees, and the heat in the chapel was oppressive with the band struggling to cope and the simple task of tuning became very difficult indeed.  The Band of The Royal Engineers were however more than up to the task and by the end of the practice it had all settled and a good sound was being produced.

Hitting the right notes

Day 6 (29 May 12) - a sour note

Top Brass

0630hrs and disappointing news as Sergeant Kerr (band liaison) informed us that our first trip was cancelled.  This was due to uncertainty with the return helicopter flights and we couldn’t risk not being available to travel to Kabul for one of the flagship jobs, a Diamond Jubilee celebration at the British Embassy.  To be honest we were all a little disappointed but that is the nature of things and the demand for transport is immense in this environment.

The brass group took the opportunity to get together and look through the large pad of music that would be required over the next three weeks.  This group had been booked to play in cookhouses, coffee areas and some of the smaller bases in the Helmand Province.

Day 7 (30 May 12)

We managed to get some much needed washing done and give some thought to repacking as we need to vacate the transit accommodation before our onward trip to Kabul.

After lunch the pop group “Funky Monkey’s” headed over to the Royal Engineers EOD Camp and gave them a great concert. The troops really got involved and were delighted to have live entertainment to take their minds of their day to day roles. The band felt that they had made difference and went to bed that evening feeling proud.

Day 8 (31 May 12) – a suitable note was struck

The air con packed up again so another extremely warm and restless night.  The brass group headed to the DEFAC (cookhouse) in Bastion 3 where they would take part in the “Big Lunch” to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

At 1400hrs the full band loaded the truck and headed to Tombstone.  It is from this camp that members of the Afghanistan Defence and Police Force are trained.  We performed as a static band on a bandstand and my arrangement of the Afghan national dance (The Attan) went down very well with senior Afghan Generals.

Day 9 (1 June 12) – and the Band played on..

‘and The Band played on’

Reported to bus at 0600hrs and headed to the airfield.  There was a familiar feeling of “hurry up and wait” as several flights had been diverted elsewhere.  Eventually we were packed into a C17, in full PPE, for a 2 hour flight to Kabul.

I managed to locate Lance Corporal McLauchlin, a CAMUS musician on a 6 month tour as a driver.  She was very well and spoke to us of day to day life as a driver in the Kabul area.

It was the J2 brief at the airport that once again reminded the band how dangerous things can get!  We were loaded into several heavily armoured Ridgebacks and minibuses and, safely, made the 20 minute trip to Camp Souter.  There was, however, one heart stopping moment when the convoy screeched to a halt and the top cover started to shout.

Armourer course fires all barrels

Latest blog from Craftsman Thomas Mortimore, currently on Phase 2 training at 10 Training Battalion, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

Now that we’ve started getting into the actual weapons on the armourer course, we had to start with general principles. This covers the basics of all weapons including cycle of operations, types of weapons, types of operations and ammunition types. We also did a practical on barrel inspection where we had to look through 20 different barrels and find faults (if any). This was a good test of our judgement as even the tiniest thing could cause major problems in the future.

Afterwards we started work on the Browning Pistol; this is the pistol that the army have used for decades up until recently. We had to know how to strip the weapon to its individual parts and put it back together again, perform tests on certain components and identify faults.

Weapons testing

There are two practical tests to pass and a theory which is combined with GP’s. The first test involves examining four different weapons and identifying things that are wrong with the components or analysing failed test firings.

The second part of the test involves being given a weapon with previously identified faults which we then have to fix by replacing the parts. The trick though is that the spares you get given could be faulty, and there may be a fault which wasn’t identified previously.

Practice makes perfect

Our final weekend was spent on exercise at a nearby simulation of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) as one might see in Afghanistan. We started practise on various situations such as area cordoning and control, setting up vehicle checkpoints, crowd control, casualty evacuations, room-to-room clearance and patrolling techniques.

Learning room clearance techniques

We then moved to a bigger FOB and commenced our scenario. We started off with various patrols around the area using the skills we had learnt earlier. We set up vehicle checkpoints, cordoned off suspicious areas and had to deal with angry mobs and enemies, all played by members of our platoon. We then took a shift as the Quick Reaction Force who had to be ready to deal with any situation and react to it quickly. Finally we took sentry positions and guarded the FOB from any attacks. The whole exercise was really exhausting, but I really enjoyed it because it is much more modern compared to the exercises at Phase 1 training.

More to look forward to next month as the weapons systems get ever more complicated.

Artificers vehicles back on track – with short stop for Jubilee and REME Corps weekend event

Sgt Veal

I am Sergeant Ryan Veal. I joined the Army in December 1999 and completed basic training at ATR Pirbright. This was followed by phase 2 of my training during which I was taught my primary trade as a Vehicle Mechanic B at SEME Bordon

Resistance testing

The pace of the Artificer course has regained its momentum after the Easter leave period and completed Level 3 of the course; this level consisted of mainly Maths, Science and Statistics.  The Statistics element of the course involved testing the resistance of 100 resistors, analysing the results and completing an assignment.

Level 4 marked the start of in-class assignment exams for Science on: Belts, Clutches and Epicyclic gears. As much as it being a welcome change to the usual 3 hour fight; with the exam paper and trying to remember important mathematical and engineering science formulae, it proved to some members of the course to be almost as challenging as the memory game. Level 4 of the course also consisted of 2 weeks of Vehicle Electrics and Electronics at 11 Training Battalion REME in Arborfield, and provided a change of scenery for the course as well as a change to the usual Maths and Science overload.  This element of the course involved AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current) theory and 3 exams.

REME Corps Weekend – June 16th

The course has now returned to Bordon and they are looking forward to taking part in the activities planned for the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations and assisting in the REME Corps Weekend activities on June the 16^thin Arborfield.

Jubilee – REME corps weekend 16th June 1012

The upcoming months are already looking a very busy period for the course, members of the course within 2 Platoon, Quebec Company are preparing to deploy on Exercise NEXT STEP at the end of June. 3 Platoon, Quebec Company are due to Deploy on Exercise STALLION SPIRIT in July. Weekend Exercises are part of the mandated training for all soldiers at 10 Training Battalion.  Twelve months is spent at the School learning a trade and not touching weapons, for the youngest soldiers the Exercises provide progression training from the time spent in basic training and acts as a measure to prevent skill fade.

For the more experienced it is the opportunity to act as Platoon Commanders in a benign environment where mistakes will not cost lives.

The wider experience

I joined the Army in December 1999 and completed basic training at ATR Pirbright, after which I was able to begin my Vehicle Mechanic B course at SEME Bordon. Having completed basic trade training in Oct 2001, I was posted to 3 Battalion REME (3BN REME) in Paderborn; where I was next deployed with 2 Royal Ghurkha Rifles (2RGR) straight to Mrkonjic Grad in Bosnia for 6 months. Whilst posted with 3 BN REME I was deployed on OP TELIC 1 and based at a Kuwait army Base close to the Iraq border.

I was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2003 and posted to 3 Logistic Support Regiment RLC (3 LSR) based in Abingdon. In 2005 I deployed to Iraq – Shaibah Logistic base, and returned to SEME Bordon in February 2006 to complete my Vehicle upgrading course, followed with a posting to 7 Transport Regiment RLC (7Tpt Regt RLC) in November 2006 as a Class 1.

I deployed in 2007 as an acting Corporal to the Contingency Operating Base (COB) in Iraq with 1 Battalion REME (1Bn REME), where I was attached to 16 Squadron Tank Transporters. I was promoted to Substantive Corporal in Oct 2007. I returned to Bordon in 2009 where I completed and passed my PAAB and went onto pass the Artificer maths course at Worthy Down.

In May 2010 I was posted to 104 Force Support Battalion REME (104 FS BN REME) in Bordon, and then immediately to Tidworth. I was promoted to Sergeant in February 2011 and selected for Artificer training; to be course loaded in October 2011.

Major Phase

Two months in to the Major Project phase of the course which consists of all elements taught including: Engineering Materials, Engineering Science, Electrics and the use of AUTO CAD.  A requirement of the course is for all members to complete, as a group, a project on any type of fault/problem and provide a Solution to a known problem on any Vehicle/Equipment currently in service use. The culmination of this part of the course is to present the solution to theCampCommandant, The head of the Engineering Science Department, and SME (Subject Matter Experts) from DE&S (Defence Equipment & Support) in Oct/Nov 2012.

Halfway and holding in there – no obstacle too big

Sgt Griffiths

I am Sergeant Jonathan ‘Griff’ Griffiths, I have been in the REME for 14 years, during which I have been an Armourer and Metalsmith, completing two basic courses and two class one courses. I am currently training to become an Artificer.

The British military has an abundance of tough courses to attend.  The REME Artificers course is definitely one and the selection process is extremely hard. The key difference between this and most other courses is that the course is not physically challenging.  There is only one organised PT session a week (annoyingly). No-one chases or checks that you are attending it, or that you are completing your own physical training programme - and rightly so, with me being a senior non-commissioned officer. 

You must maintain your level of physical ability and demonstrate that you can pass the military fitness tests to scroll (complete the course).   In fact it could be said that the course provides the perfect environment to become physically lazy. 

Sgt Griffiths navigates one of the many obstacles

The arduous side of the course presents itself in a mental format.  For 40 weeks of the 68 week long course, and for  36.5 hours per week (exclusive of meal times and breaks), the student is in the classroom sat behind a desk learning from a mixture of whiteboard calculations and PowerPoint presentations.  Mingled in with this intense tuition is a variety of exams and written assignments that must be completed to progress further on the course. The majority of these come with deadlines that can be pretty gruelling or tight revision schedules that are barely achievable, not to mention platoon duties that must be carried out.  

It is so easy to see how physical training can fall down the priority list, amongst all we have to juggle.  The trick, I have found, is keeping it on the list of priorities to complete, treating it as a deadline to complete PT sessions in your own time each week.  If you’re not naturally fit, it is an extra hurdle to overcome. 

Wannabe Artificers

My brief description of life in the Engineering and Science Department (ESD) just does not accurately describe daily life.  Planning a routine is so difficult and often futile as so many disruptions occur, and simply have to be addressed during the working week.  The whole package of the course is what makes it so mentally challenging and draining. 

The will to carry on is strengthened if you possess a clear, defined personal goal to achieve at the end of the course.   You don’t put yourself through it for no reason, and you will need one to remain motivated.  With changes to pensions on the way, money for future generations of ‘wannabe Artificers’ will cease to be a motivating factor; you will have to find another. 

(Left to right) Sgts Field, Griffiths, Walker, Cowell, Pryce, Jones and Tongue.

Good to go

On the 12th of May, our 17-strong team from 10 Training Battalion REME, called  ’GOOD TO GO’, took part in the tough mudder event held in Kettering, Northamptonshire.  Tough mudder is a physically demanding event that challenges all who participate.  Even though the concept has just arrived in the United Kingdom from the United States of America, it was designed by ex-British Special Forces members. The course consisted of 23 obstacles spread over a 12 mile cross country course. 

Dyno Rod, Mudder Samaritan Award

The obstacles varied in difficulty, but in general they were pretty extreme, ranging from high cargo nets to electric shock obstacles; my personal favourite was the ice dip.  If the severity of the obstacles wasn’t enough, the running route in between each of them was, at times, beyond painful.  Our team performed with excellence, finishing together and winning the ‘Dyno Rod, Mudder Samaritan Award’. Which, translated into military language, we think means best team work. 

An all round good time was had by all.  Tough mudder is a diverse event, in the fact that if you want to challenge yourself physically and mentally, you can, although it has to be said that I felt the true challenge presented by tough mudder is testing team cohesion. For this, I struggle to think of anything more effective.  Why does the British military not have one of these courses?

‘hurry up and wait!’ seems to be an Army phrase.

Soldier under Training (SuT) Donna Jones –  a Territorial Army (TA) soldier training to be a Vehicle Mechanic with 119 Recovery Company, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) – has a tough week learning about drill and injuries, then sustaining a nasty one herself…

SuT Donna Jones

Week 3

It’s funny how 2 weeks can fly by as quickly as it had done. It had been a busy week in the salon and I was feeling rather tired as we arrived at camp on the Friday evening. As soon as we got settled into our rooms, the three of us went off to our first and only lesson of the evening; values and standards. One of the girls had some bad news just before the end of the lesson and left without returning, so now we were down to just myself and Clare, the only other female. Numbers had dropped again this week though as we also lost two of the other boys from our group.

On Saturday I woke up early with the lark, and Clare and I made sure our uniforms were pristine before we went off for breakfast as we didn’t want to give the Drill Sergeant an excuse to shout at us. From 8am onwards it was drill, and it was quite chilly again this morning. We were the first ones on the drill square again, even arriving before the Drill Sergeant, who then gave the boys hell for being late. They weren’t really that late, but a funny phrase I hear all the time now keeps sticking in my mind – ‘hurry up and wait’! seems to be an Army phrase.

We were inspected first, water bottles checked and then straight on to dismissal and fall out. This went on for what seemed like forever, but I quite like doing drill. Some of the group couldn’t quite get it, so the Drill Sergeant shouted that we were an embarrassment to the camp, and made us just march large on the spot, fast for five minutes. It was hard not to laugh when you’re being shouted at, but the ones who did had to run to the telegraph pole at the other end of the square and back. We all groaned but no one wanted to be last.

The second lesson of the day was a rifle lesson, and this was much more fun. We were firing in the prone position, which we all enjoy, although it does take some getting used to as you shift weight to get comfy and then so your elbows don’t hurt. I was trying to get my breathing right and then going through the drills, all the while down on the ground and on my elbows. It was quite tough at first, as the rifle seems so heavy when you’re on your elbows and trying to do the drill, and my rifle was falling all sorts of ways. Also, trying to reach into your webbing whilst holding the rifle straight and change magazines is something we will all have to practice, but by the end of the lesson we all pretty much got it after much fumbling around.

Before lunch we had a health and hygiene lesson. We worked on how to look after yourself out in the field in different climates, and some of the clips and videos they showed were quite horrific: gangrene and foot rot from the heat and cold, frost bite where fingers and toes had fallen off, noses that had blackened. It was all really interesting. We broke for lunch and then returned to the class room for another lesson. This was more of the same but more focus on preventative measures. The Sergeant who took the lesson had quite a dry sense of humour and some of the younger boys didn’t get his jokes. I thought it was quite funny! After this we had a short break and then off for more firing drills. As soon as I dropped down to my knees I felt it – my elbows were bruised. God they hurt, and the rifle seemed even heavier after another 2 hours. But at least we were inside.

Physical Training (PT) followed with a circuit set up, followed by a game of basketball. All of us enjoyed this as it meant no run! We all gave a sigh of relief. The session helped us work up an appetite as next we were off for dinner. Oh the joys of Army food, it was more unhealthy options again.

We had another lesson after dinner on values and standards and then we broke for half way interviews, all of which was very good. The Sergeant said I need to have more confidence in myself, and that I do come across as the more mature student, not sure if that was good or not!

Sunday

After a breakfast of bacon and egg it was straight out onto the drill square, which was surprisingly dry for a change. We were learning to salute at the halt. This was really funny, and at first the Drill Sergeant was laughing along with us but he soon showed his true colours. Boy can he shout. It’s surprising how many people don’t know their left to their rights as we went up and down the drill square. Some of the officer cadets that were on camp were watching us, which made the Drill Sergeant shout even louder. It was embarrassing by the end, but we got it…eventually.

We had a lesson on courage and discipline, something that is drilled into us at all times before we went off for our PT lesson, the one which we were all dreading.

We had our bergens weighed and checked, the Physical Training Instructors (PTI) making sure we all carried the correct weights for our Regiments. We then set off, just as it started to rain for our 3 mile tab. I was at the front of the group doing OK until the PTIs properly started running. It’s all quite hard going with your kit on and carrying your rifle. We crossed from the road into open ground, crossing over a dirt track onto loose gravel and unstable terrain when I lost my footing and fell forward.

My rifle hit me face on and knocked me out as everyone else piled on top of me. I got pulled up to me feet as my knee gave way. My combats were ripped to shreds and my knee bulging and bloody, the PTIs rushed everyone else on as one of the Sergeants stayed behind with me. As I saw my knee the floodgates opened, and then I was sick . My head was pounding from being knocked out, and as I couldn’t walk on my leg the Sergeant went back to camp to get a vehicle for me.

SuT Jones' bruised knee

I was quite shaken up as they inspected my knee, which by now was huge with a lot of bruising showing. I was convinced I had broken it or chipped the bone, while my hands were covered in cuts from the gravel. I tried to pick bits out from them while still in pain from my head and knee and then couldn’t believe it as I found out the camp medics had left for the weekend. No one wanted to take me to A&E as we would be waiting there for hours.

When the rest of the group came back they were all shocked by the state of me, and all laughed as I now had a black eye forming. The Sergeant rang my unit to ask the driver to come early for me.

The driver from my unit was very good and took me straight to A&E back at home. I think I bawled for most of the way home, I’m such a nancy at times! I could hardly walk and the driver explained that my unit had a duty of care to me. He took me into A&E and then came back for me 3 hours later, once I’d been x-rayed and checked over. The nurse laughed as she cut my combats off as i had my long johns on underneath and they were also shredded. I was given some crutches and told to rest it for a few weeks. I had a nice shiner to match my football size of a knee.

We sleep with our weapons inside our sleeping bags

A very well-wrapped-up SuT Jones, spending a night in the field

Soldier under Training (SuT) Donna Jones –  a Territorial Army (TA) soldier training to be a Vehicle Mechanic with 119 Recovery Company, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) – writes about her experiences of the second of six weekends that make up the first part of her Phase 1 Training. 

It’s funny how two weeks can fly by so fast. We returned to the Regional TA Centre on Friday evening. I still wasn’t feeling quite right, but I had come prepared with extra thermals, including ski ones suitable for arctic conditions! When we arrived we found out that 3 people had dropped out and were then told that by the end of the course we would be reduced to just half of the squad…

We spent the evening in the classroom for a lesson on the British Army’s values and standards, which was quite interesting. It was also funny, as the Staff Sergeant showed us some old TV comedy clips about the British Army and its stiff upper lip!

The TA Centre was full this weekend, so we girls had the luxury of staying in the officers’ block. It was still quite dismal, but instead of 12 bunks it was 2  to a room.

Saturday was to be an early start again, so we spent the rest of Friday evening bulling boots and ironing our kit, making sure that everything was be in order for parade first thing.. There being 3 girls in our squad, we all took on jobs and did them for each other once again.

After breakfast, we made our way over to the drill square. The rest of the squad were late, as the Drill Sergeant had arrived before them, and boy did he make himself heard. He had them all run around the drill square as a warning not to be late again. This time the squad’s appearance was much better, although some people had still not got it quite right. Water bottles were checked too – they have to be full at all times – and nearly the whole squad failed. We spent the next hour and a half learning more drill, and it was freezing even though I was wearing at least 6 layers. You’ll probably laugh, but I really can’t do the cold. We had all brought our Army-issued gloves with us, but because just one person had forgotten theirs, we were not allowed to wear them. So we all made a pact to bring our gloves next time! I think the cold eventually got to the Drill Sergeant too, as we were eventually dismissed back to the classroom for another lesson.

It was about nutrition, it was taken by the physical training instructors (PTIs) and it covered healthy eating and lifestyle choices. I thought this was really odd as the food in the Mess isn’t really up to scratch – it is all fried and consists of nothing but bangers and pastries. We looked at the recommend daily calorie amount for a soldier and compared it to that of a civvie. It was all very interesting. The lesson lasted for 2 hours, after which we were told to collect our kit and head to the gym for physical training.

The PTIs were quite scary. The two that took us were only short, but well-muscled! We started off with running around the gym, doing various stretching exercises. Then more running, followed by more running. Then they split the squad in two and we had a competition doing various exercises. This got everyone’s spirits and we were all cheering and laughing, until we finished off with a jaunt outside for the dreaded mile and a half.

After filling up with yet more bangers and mash in the Mess, we headed off back to the classroom for a briefing about the afternoon’s activities. We were going to be spending the night outside- but only if the temperature didn’t drop below 2 degrees. You can probably imagine what I was thinking as they told us this – if only I could have done the course in summer.

We left the classroom with fully-loaded packs and webbing to go and get our weapons from the armoury. And then we made our way out into the field. This was a mile-or-so trek into a wooded area. Here we had a few more briefings – the first being how to put up a bivvy  (shelter). It was fairly easy as there were lots of trees to tie them to. We were shown several ways of putting them up, and we chose one that fitted best to the area we were in. It was fairly sheltered in the trees so at least there wasn’t much wind to worry about.

The next briefing was about admin – basically looking after yourself – washing, cooking and cleaning boots still has to be done in the field! Then we set up camp, which took most of the afternoon as the Sergeants and other staff checked that everything was in order. We had a demonstration of how to use our hexamine cookers and heat up rations. My first taste of the famed packs wasn’t brilliant. It was hot, but it was the strangest spaghetti bolognese I have ever eaten. I couldn’t believe that some people had never been camping before. After a little personal admin and cleaning of boots we returned to the classroom, just as it was getting dark. We marched – in fact we have to march everywhere now, every time we move.

Once back in the classroom we went through weapon handling drills, and learned all the working parts of the rifle. At 2200hrs we headed back outside for our first night outside. It was freezing, but not cold enough for them to keep us inside. So once back on site, we made brews and snuggled down in sleeping bags under our bivvies. We tried to rest but as we sleep with our weapons inside our sleeping bags it wasn’t very comfortable…

I woke up a few times in the night, the only sound being some of the guys snoring. I pulled a bag up over my head, after putting on a fleece because I was still cold.

The following morning, after not much sleep, we got up and made breakfast from our ration packs. The breakfast ones are much better – you can’t really go wrong on beans after all. Then once we had washed and cleaned our boots again we packed everything away.

Everything was checked over, including us – to confirm that we had washed. The staff were not satisfied so the lads had to shave again, while we girls watched. Then it was time to leave, with a quick march back.

We had a couple more lessons in the classroom. The Staff Sergeant took us for the first, which was about actions and consequences. It was very interesting and was about doing the right thing. Then we had a lesson from the PTI about helath and nutrition again. We had booklets to fill in as we went along.

At approx 1100hrs we went off for a session in the gym, with the scary PTIs. We did circuit training followed by a game of basketball. I wasn’t that good but it was fun because we all got into it. After a short tab of 2 miles around the grounds we had lunch, and after that another lesson. And then they let us go home.