Soldier under Training (SuT) Alastair Byrne, a new recruit at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright writes about his first week of basic training in the British Army.
SuT Byrne
I arrived at the gate at 1000 hours, anxious and nervous – but slowly got used to my new surroundings.
The experience began with measurement for uniforms and continued with paperwork until 1200 hrs – all the official forms etc. We were issued our military kit and had our hair cut on Tuesday. It’s been hard to get used to, as my hair has never been this short! We were shown how to wear military kit and how to iron uniforms properly. We also had our initial medical checks – one of the injections was painful – and a brief about locker layout and inspections.
Our first physical training (PT) lesson involved a 1.5 mile run and carrying and lifting on Wednesday. I didn’t do too well in the run, but at least I know there is room for improvement.
On Thursday, we had a lot briefs/lessons and Combat Equipment Fighting Order (CEFO) packing lessons etc.
On Friday, we were shown live firing demonstrations and pyrotechnics – it made us all very eager to get on the ranges ourselves. Next was an exercise called ICE BREAKER, which involved demonstrations of ponchos and gave everyone a chance to say few words about themselves.
We did a little bit of catching up drills and personal administration at the weekend and got taught how to build our webbing. We also went to Church on Sunday which was very strange, as the vicar was playing an electric guitar and a banjo! It was also a good excuse for a cup of tea. I spent the rest of that night catching up with admin and getting ready for the locker inspection the next day.
The Official British Army Blog 
Stick with it !! you’ll love it once your personal fitness picks up…. hasn’t changed that much since I was in, different rifles that’s about it ;¬)
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it aint gonna be easy fella when i joined i went through infantry junior leaders in kent . Anything worth doing though is never easy . Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut is the advice my section commander gave me do the same and you will do well
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Haha! The padre at Pirbright is a legend. Don’t worry too much about fitness – as long as you give your best the PTIs will get you there.
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This is a great blog for someone like myself, who is currently going through the motions of excitement, worry and panic!!
Hopefully people can read a blog from me in the coming weeks..! 🙂
Thanks Alastair!
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Good luck Craig! My son goes to Pirbright in a couple of weeks so know how you are feeling.
Give it your all and you will be fine and enjoy it!
Best wishes!
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ha derek another dinosaur who trained on the SLR , smg and gpmg ! Ahh the memories , junior leaders at shorncliffe back in 83 when i joined up still remember it like yesterday
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My kind of vicar at least! Good luck with the runs – err the fitness kind of runs that is.
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hi alastair my son has just done 10 wks phase 1 training and only got 4wks left he is really enjoying it the 1st 2 weeks he found hard i think it was the ironing what bothered him the most lol he is also in pirbright ridler platoon you take care look forward to your week 2 page x
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Hi, Stick with it hun…..Keep trying…keep alert…and all will fall in place as the weeks go by…..!!!! I wish you well from Sunny Wales……!!
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Indeed Andy,
“ROARRRRRR” Certa Cito a scaleyback 1979 Ouston then Catterick ….. LOVED IT !!!
and the SLR…. a man’s rifle !!! although because of my height and build I always seemed to be lumbered with the LMG which was a different animal, I’ll never forget the feeling of running over a hill with my LMG strapped over my shoulder firing from the hip screaming at the top of my lungs like Rambo !!! (blanks of course)
absolutely loved my basic training and would do it again at the drop of a hat 🙂
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I start basic at pirbright on 4th october. im doing 9:16 on mile n half so not too worried bout that. was wondering what happens at christmas while on basic. go home or stay on base
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you go home the camp closes down.
and stick in there you will have your ups and downs but at the end its all been worth it!
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U go home m8!! The instructors need time to recover too!!
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Lee, my son will be there too. We’ve been wondering about that too, trying to work out when the pass off parade will be. May see you there?!
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Fantastic example to others , l am a very proud of you.
Mum
X
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well you have been given good advice, stick with it. you will be one of the proudest soldiers, when you finish your training. you can hold your head high for the rest of your life. I served when i was 21. im now 76, and still very proud of serving for my country. you will to. hope to hear from you soon ken towner
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Among other things I am a local radio producer, and we go to air soon. We are doing a soap drama as well as music and general features. Lots of respect for the services and all in them and I have good links with Royal Anglians whom have freedomship of Huntingdon. Have a good media contact at Purbright so we can have soliders etc on air, and also get good advice re one of our soap characters brother of a lead part, who is serving in Afghanistan.
Best of luck with your continued training, keep at it. I wish I had been as fit in my life, but for reasons (not laziness), was never really good at PT etc. Great shame. Take Care.
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Blues and Royals and i did Pirbright in 79….. loved it. Hang in there my friend and work hard. Youll love it after you go to your regiment. Happy days ahead i promise you. And i also well reember the SLR and GPMG…. great weapons. Never needed to hit someone twice with the 7.62 round.
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‘Nothing ever worth doing is easy!’ You will soon be on track with your PT you won’t be the first and never the last to have these little hick ups! Perservere lad, we are all so very proud of you and your mates!! Take care and well done!
Ali
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Ah bless u!!! Keep your head up!!! No matter how tough it gets stick with it!!! U will only regret it if u don’t!!! Ask all the ones who have left!! U will never experience anything else like it!! The true meaning of “friends” will come into play. I truely wish u the best of luck in your training and beyond.
Pirbright is one of those special places where boys are moulded into men and “heroes” in every sense of the word!! I know the place well, and have good memories!! My husband was a CSM (BSM) there early 2000’s. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there. One of the most satisfying postings!! Seeing the beginning and the end product!!
The “beastings” won’t last forever. And believe me they do it for a reason. Just to make make sure that you become the best that you can be!! (Not because they are sick and warped!! I know it won’t feel like that now!!) Be strong, focused and enjoy the “disco” where u can wear a t shirt of your choice…. obviously under your coveralls!!! Wishing you all the best. xx
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I went through winchester and let me tell you there was something like seventy men on our intake, three weeks later that number was halved, three weeks after that halved again, back squadding and sickies was weeding out the weak and in the end of my phase one 14 men passed out with me.
Dont give in to the blokes saying its easy on sick, stick with the PTI and make him your target on every run, if he makes it you will. Dont be a bully and dont let yourself be bullied and if you feel despair talk to someone, The Padre, WRVS women or even your section leaders, they may seam big and hard but every man is there for you. And no mater what they say about battalion its not that bad, head down and do your time and your be ok
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it was great to read this Alastair as my 17 year old son has his first Army interview this coming Friday and i don’t know who’s more nervous, him or me! Keep up the good work and take care
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Good luck to your son, Samantha. My son goes to basic at Pirbright on 4th October and is coming up so quickly now. He’s 17 (will be 18 when away) and it’s hard.
Be a brave Mum, it’s a fantastic life for them – his 2 older brothers are already in the Army and LOVING it!
Best wishes,
Sarah
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well done Alistair! sounds a bit like my boarding school) with the rifles) but u grow up quick and women in the future will be soooo glad you can iron all the best! Iain
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Keep with it youl be fine I passes out of pirbright in January this year and now at my unit it’s worth it all in the end the first few weeks are pretty hard going and just after your long weekend on ex half way but once you get to your acmt
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Hi I think this an awesome idea 2 publish blogs from recruits currently in training. I am currently goin through the motions of joining up myself. I have just taken part in an insight course & am waiting 4 my date 4 selection. Hoping to get a decent grading I hope to be starting phase 1 soon. I think it is extremely helpful & inspiring to read your blogs. Keep them coming… Thanks and the best of luck with your training! Kind regards, Clare Mottram x
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Ha…!! This takes me back a few years.
I remember those feelings of excitement/trepidation only too well. I did my basic at DQD, Bassingbourn.
Day 1 collected from the railway station by a Cpl. Him in Barrack Dress, forage cap, slashed peak, cane, the lot. Me, in jeans and a sweatshirt, with long hair. “…straight to the barbers with you, Jesus” were the words introducing me to Army life.
If I could do it all again I would, without a doubt, and I’d make a better job of it this time..!!
Good luck young fella, I look forward to reading the rest of your blog..
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i also thinks its great to have these blogs, just hope they are not censored , and are a true reflection of army life,
Be safe lad
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We are so proud of all our boys and girls that are doing what you do… Just take care and keep safe x
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Inspirational blog, currently going through the application process myself, really excited about joining though.
All the best for the rest of your training, am sure you will do brilliantly.
Carly
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Really interesting to read your blog Alastair.Good luck to all of you in these first weeks and in the future.Take CareX
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Ha ha! Fantastic Alistair! So – what’s easier? Army training or supporting Spurs? All the best.
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Hi Alistair, The most important thing to do in your situation is to BELIEVE in yourself. TRUST your training staff, but most importantly ENJOY yourself. Best of luck M8.
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Hi Alistair. Good blog. My Son is also at Pirbright. He is ATC and started about 5 weeks ago. He said the ironing was the worst, and his fitness has improved.
Stick with it and you will be fine.
All the best and take care.
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whent to about six or ten countrys by the time i was 20 and my so called friends whent to spain once a year on the piss and never got to relise were they had been.. stick at it bud they will all be gel? and if ya looking at the ladeys they allways have respecet for a soilder out of respect not simpathey.!!!
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good luck with ya training and i know ya training staff might feel like s..ts at the moment but they are there for a reason????? they have done it and are still here!! they must have something to teach.look after ya self bud and dont let miner things get ya down….
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I go to Bassingbourn on the 3rd Oct. Massively excited but I know when I’m going to get the train down I’ll be bricking it. Like everyone fitness is a worry, I can run 1.5mile in 10:30 or less at the moment. Also 5am mornings will take some getting used to for me 🙂
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Good blog Alastair. Don’t let it interfere with your ironing though! Keep up the good work.
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