Friday March 5, 2010 at 11:38am
Thanks
First of I would like to thank those of you, who have taken the time to offer your support and advice. Very surprised at the response and very encouraged.
Letting go
I have thought about my last day now, for the last year, and have felt dread ever since.
I have delayed and delayed my resettlement and devoted my time to my Troop, Bty and my Regiment. It’s hard to let go!!
Why is it hard to let go?
My Troop needs me, my Bty needs me, my Regt needs me, or do they?
I suppose I have to look at the way I manage my Troop. I lose soldiers all the time from the Troop; I have never thought this Troop will not function when a soldier leaves. Most of the time his or her replacement fits in without no disruption and performs just as well and sometimes better. As will my replacement.
Belonging
I could write a book about what it means to be part of HM Forces and still not get my point across to those who have not experienced it.
It’s about pain. You’re on a hard long tab (a fast walk with heavy packs for all you civvies reading this), you are all sweating, you’re back and feet are hurting and all you want to do is say F*** this and stop! But you don’t, because its about pride and loyalty in yourself and those around you.
It’s about laughter. I had a soldier who was blown up and dying, his team were doing all they could to save him. He looks over to his leg lying about 10 ft way and asks his team commander to pass him his leg. He passes his leg to his mate and says ‘give me a leg up mate’. Funniest thing they ever heard. This soldier is lying on the ground and lost his leg but still has the courage and commitment to make sure his team were ok.
I belong to all this and it’s hard to let go. You are a part of tradition, a part of history and it makes you feel important and you belong to something special.
There is hope
I will lose all the above when I leave HM Forces and no longer be part of it. I hope the ex-military community can offer some sort of substitute and I believe it can after hearing Richard Kemp CBE speech at the BFRS event in Aldershot on the 4th.