Junior Soldier (JS) Field is now in the third week of Junior Entry Phase 1 Training at the Army Technical Foundation College, Winchester (ATFC(W)). In his latest blog he describes his favourite – and least favourite – experiences so far.
Junior Soldiers being taught how to strip and clean a rifle
Week 3 already? It seems hard to believe how fast the time is flying by now, but when you think about it we never really get time to stop and take it all in.
For me, this week has been the best and the worst, all wrapped into one. Once again I woke up on Monday bright and early, ready for another week learning about the rifle and Battlefield Casualty Drills (BCD) as well as more long classroom lessons where my eyes feel so tired at times I’m not sure whether I’m asleep or awake!
In the rifle lessons this week we have looking at how to hold the weapon correctly and how to control our breathing in order to get the best possible shot. I love these lessons as they take me one step closer to firing the weapon. We have been taught how to best prevent injuries and have had another lesson on the values and standards of the British Army. I am quickly coming to realise that these rules that we are being taught are the guidelines to how I will now live my life in the future. The lessons on BCD are good and we all pay a lot of attention as we realise that one day we might have to put these drills in to practice to save a life.
A Junior Soldier's locker, ready for inspection
Now that I’ve mentioned the good things I will tell you about the worst bits.
Locker inspections terrify me daily. I never thought the most simplest of tasks such as folding clothes could become one of the hardest things in the world! Everything has to be perfect – but I feel I’m getting closer to passing the inspections.
On Thursday, the week took a sudden dip for me, when I woke up feeling far from perfect. I thought I would try and ‘soldier on’ and hoped that I would start to feel better. As the day went on, I kept pushing myself and by the evening felt even worse, I spoke to my Section Commander who took me straight down to the Medical Centre. The nurse examined me and took my temperature which was too high and as a result she ‘bedded me down’. I spent the night shivering and when I saw the doctor the next day he told me I had a chest infection and would be kept in over the weekend. Not a great way to spend the end of the week… I just want to get into week 4 now!
The Official British Army Blog 
Hey Soldier/s, good on u 4being on the right path in life. So Proud. Ur all absorbing more than u realise even in ur dreams.X
LikeLike
Keep practising for those inspections!!!!! glad to hear your feeling better
LikeLike
Hope your feeling better. Your doing fabulous. Hope your rooms are going to be that tidy when your home! Think not! Have a great week. Look forward to next weeks blogs from you and JS Bradnam
LikeLike
Locker looks great, well done. Keep up the good work it pays off in the end. The blogs from you and JS Bradnam are extremely interesting reading, look forward to the next.
LikeLike
Please tell me that locker is yours, oh I’m so impressed. So glad you’re now feeling better and out of the medical centre, I know you’re eager to get back to training. Thanks to everyone who looked after you during your recent illness. Love Mum
LikeLike
I was a Junior soldier in Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion, Plymouth in 1958. That locker shown would have failed miserably in our unit. Must try harder.
LikeLike
Left mess tin’s not square, and look how uneven those coat hangers are!!! Just remember, it’s all for a reason: being able to put your hand on the right piece of kit, first time, in the dark may save someone’s life one day.
Crack on!
LikeLike
Stick with son it is well worth it wish my locker had been that big in the RN
LikeLike
Glad u feel better my son was at winchester a year ago he as passed all is training which he found very hard at times but u will get through it if its wot u want iam proud of him and all our soldiers so chin up duck x
LikeLike
I served in A.A.S Harrogate and 9 years in Royal Signals.I left because of the rediculouse Nato call outs at 0200 hrs in the German winter.Who needed spare bootlaces and pyjamas in your kit after a nuclear attack? I then became a goldminer in South Africa and Have been very happy ever since.
LikeLike
I remember doing Phase one at ATR Winchester! The daily locker inspections filled me with dread back then, and even now it sends a shiver down my spine. The beastings at Dettingen Lines. Having said that , you are entering the best job in the world and not a day goes by that I dont regret leaving. Stick with, the staff at Winchester know what they are doing and you will become part of the most professional army in the world.
Faugh a Ballagh!
LikeLike
dont worry about those locker inspections soilders,years later you;ll laugh about them and miss the good laugh you had about them.do they still throw your boots out of the window if there not up to standard?i remember once we shut the window before they came in,they threw some boots smashed the window,then we had to pay for it .what a laugh eh?
LikeLike
Derek, a great comment. It made the Army Web Team laugh!
LikeLike
Wondered if you know my grandson, Sam Johnston i think he is probably in your intake,
He is coming home on the 17th and we are all looking forward to seeing him!! If you do know him give him a pat on the back from grandad Robin !!!
All The Best
LikeLike
Thats Corporal Mitchell! hes a tough bugger him!! mate locker inspections are the most fun within the army, and after week 6 they pretty much are on a monday and friday unless you were 1st troop who continuously got inspections and marked time everywere hahaha god i miss that place! trust me phase one is nothing like field army its easier coz all youve gotta do is be in the right place at the right time in the right kit and your sorted and REMEMBER… a good soldier is always………..in bed when ever he gets a chance hahaha all the best mate !!
LikeLike
At least you’re learning how to look after yourself. If you want to swing by Manchester on your way home you give my flat a tidy!!! Speak soon.
LikeLike