WEEK 6 (Jun 13-19) – Bombs & Broken Legs

 We were taught a lot of theory this week, meaning a lot of classroom learning and not so much “exciting” stuff. 

CEOT (Counter Explosive Ordnance Training) was about types of explosives and information on how to be on the lookout for locations where there would be explosives planted in the field and how to react if you come into contact with mines or IEDs. Basically signs to look for in the ground and also to avoid locations where there are choke points in a path or disturbances in the sand, etc. It's important enough that we had a test about it on Friday, but everyone passed and a lot of people got 100% on it so it wasn't that bad really.

We learned some basic first aid as well, a.k.a. Battlefield Casualty Drills. That was interesting as that is what I’ll be learning more in-depth down the line as a medic. We learned basic procedures of how to deal with soldiers that get injured in battle. For example, we learned how to apply CATs (Combat Application Tourniquet) and ECBs (Emergency Care Bandage). Unresponsive casualties, catastrophic haemorrhages, and broken (or blown off) limbs are some of the things we had to learn how to treat. In fact, one of the corporals who taught us the BCDs threw a “grenade” into the utility room the other day while we were cleaning it before inspection and had us go through the drills, applying CATs and ECBs on each other. That kept us on our toes. 

On Tuesday, we did an assault course outside, vaulting over 5-7 ft walls and climbing up a big climbing frame, maybe 30 ft high, then climbing down the other side on a rope. We did a TAB on Friday, but had to do it early in the morning because it’s been redders this week—mid to high 20s, really nice weather, but they do everything they can to prevent anyone getting heat illness. We had a few PT sessions at the pool as well. I like the swimming sessions, it's good exercise and not as hot as being outside.

We had a briefing from some AMS (Army Medical Services) staff on Tuesday—they told us what Phase 2 of training would be like. Us medics will be going to DMS Whittington near Lichfield in Staffordshire, where we’ll be for around 6 months. Apparently, soldiers being trained as medical techs and assistants from all service branches (Army, RAF, Navy) go to DMS(W), but the Army staff do the most field exercises out of the three, so in reality we get the best training ;) That means a lot more of what we did on Battle Camp—sleeping in doss bags, digging out shell scrapes, living out of bergens, getting dirty and sweaty, surviving out in the wilderness, and in our case, doing casualty exercises. I’m excited! That’s what I signed up for. 

This coming week we will be in Wales doing our SDW (Soldier Development Week), participating in adventure training activities like rock climbing, caving, kayaking, hiking, etc. I’m looking forward to it. Yes, I get actually get paid to do all that (although it’s a lot less than whatever you make). J 

Since there’s not much to say about this past week, I’ve added a list of army lingo in case you're interested and have been trying to decipher what I’m saying in these emails.  

There will be a test next week. J 


Admin: chores like ironing kit and polishing boots 

Beasting/Getting beasted: punishment/discipline normally in the form of intense PT 

Bergen: a pack used to carry equipment for exercise; also used to carry weight for a TAB 

Bimble: walk out of step while marching 

Block: the accommodation we stay in 

Brew: hot drinks 

Bug out: evacuate a harbour area when under attack 

Casevac: casualty evacuation 

CAT: Combat Application Tourniquet 

Civvy: civilian 

Doss bag: sleeping bag 

ECB: Emergency Care Bandage 

Gash: rubbish 

Graft: work hard 

Gucci: good, alright 

Hanging out: worn out, exhausted 

Jack: someone who lets the section down or doesn’t pull their weight; selfish 

KFS: knife fork spoon 

Lizard: someone lazy or foolish; an idiot 

Mega: great, awesome 

Mincing: laziness, not pulling your weight; procrastinating, performing a task slowly 

Mucker: other soldiers in your section, your mates 

Nails: really difficult, “hard as nails” 

On parade: standing in ranks as a troop 

Oppo: an army peer, your mates 

PT(I): physical training (instructor) 

Rats: something really unpleasant 

Recce: reconnaissance 

Redders: really hot/warm 

Scoff: food, mealtime 

Scran: scoff 

Shell scrape: a hole dug out of the ground where you sleep on exercise 

Shower, S**t and Shave: morning routine 

Sound: alright, good 

Squaddie: low-ranking soldiers 

Stag: sentry/guard duty 

TAB: “Tactical Advance to Battle;” PT carrying a heavy bergen for a specified distance (normally 4 k) 

Tick tock: moving the same side leg and arm when marching 

Trackies: casual uniform clothing, an issued all-black tracksuit (polo shirt, jumper, trousers, and jacket) 

5s and 20s: patrolling, performing checks 5 m in your immediate periphery and keeping visuals 20 m around you 

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