The Royal Marines Bugler, and Other Stories

February

2008-03-02T17:23:00.002Z

It's been another good few weeks at the School. We've all been working hard, and its definitely beginning to pay off. The weeks seem to be whizzing by, it feels like only last week that I was starting back after Christmas, but in fact we are now halfway through the term!

We have all had our mid-term assessments now, which went quite well. I am a little disappointed with how I did on my drumming, mainly because I know I can do much better normally. It is amazing what the nerves of playing in front of a corporal and a video camera can do. I still did fine though, so I can't complain too much. I did come out with an A for Bugling, so that's encouraging.

Now, as I right this blog, I am only a couple of weeks away from my end of term assessment! This term really has shot passed.

There have been various highlights to this term. A few weekend ago now the Buglers in training provided support in various ways to both the Inverted Chevrons reunion dinner as well as the Buglers reunion. It was a brilliant weekend, with endless dits and stories being passed on throughout the guests.

The following Thursday the school went up to London to watch the Mountbatten Festival of Music. This is a concert at the Royal Albert Hall by the Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines. It was a very traditional concert this year, but always an impressive one. Not to mention it was a good run ashore for the buglers!

We've also had our first mid-term Long Weekend Leave which was fairly relaxing, not long now until Easter Long Weekend! I know its caused a bit of hassle for schools etc, but having this early Easter certainly helps break the term up a bit!

At the moment, myself and the other 2 Phase 1 trainees have been spending a lot of time out on the parade square practising various movements used in Mess Beatings (small scale displays). This has been a massive challenge, not only trying to remember all the different drum pieces and the order of the movements, but just being able to do some of the moves and keep the drum in the right place is challenging enough. Its good fun though, and it adds another dimension to our training so that's good.

I'd best be off for now.
Bugging out

Nathan

My Apologies

2008-02-03T16:03:00.000Z

Hello to one and all. First may I start with a massive apology. It was my intention, at the start of my training to keep this blog up-to-date and not to let it slip into one of these things that's great to begin with, but actually ya lose interest in, or just don't update it for ages.

Well, I kinda let it slip into that. So here we go, back on the ball again, ready and raring to go.

The truth is, last term, to be quite honest was horrible. I didn't enjoy it, it was hard work and I didn't feel as though I was getting anywhere. It was frustrating, the troop weren't really gelling together in a lot of ways and my back was causing me a fair few problems. I didn't really fancy writing all that down in the blog. However, we've had Christmas leave, this term is a new start and I can assure you that I am loving the job once more. I genuinely enjoy the the training now. It's still flipping hard work, and of course you have weeks where maybe you don't make quite as much progress as you would like, but that's gonna happen wherever you are.

I'll talk you through an average week now that we are in the tick of Term 2. Monday morning kicks off with a 3 mile run, just to blow those weekend cobwebs away, after that its into work, we have an Aural class followed by a group bugle session, Drum Parade (A full on kit inspection by our instructors) then Drill, a spot of private practise before I then have a Bugle lesson with my professor. Tuesday's start with Training Parade Band, where we march around doing the whole marching band thing. This is the main time that the Drum Major has with us and so makes the most of the opportunity to gently encourage us and shape us to perfection (we are definately a long way off yet). Then its an elements class with the WO2 Bandmaster followed by Recreational Training (this week we'll be starting Close Quarters Combat). Wednesdays, myself and the 2 other Buglers in my troop have also been drafted to the senior Parade Band, so we march around for another hour and a bit then too. We've then got a bit more private practise as well as Harmony Lessons. The afternoon then is quite busy, with Corps of Drums Drill (just the Buglers, honing our skills to perfection), then group bugling and then drumming. Thursday is a quieter start, we roll into work at 0800 and kick off with private practise until our Musical Elements lesson at 0915. Then we have another Drill Spot followed by an afternoon of private practise and music Theory. Fridays start with more Phys, sometimes circuits, sometimes swimming, all chops and changes really. Then it's into work for private practise then music history. This week we were looking at Vivaldi and his Ritornella form etc. All very interesting stuff. Afternoons are good, it groups marches practice. As Buglers we have to know all the music for the marches in our heads, we don't carry any music with us, so Fridays we spend learning the new dots. Then, by 1520 we're done for the week. We all thin out and look forward to the weekend! YEY!!

This week has been especially good for one of the Buglers at the School of Music. Bugler Reilly passed his final B3 exam, and so has finished his training. Congratulations go to him and best of luck as he starts with Pompey Band Monday morning (Tomorrow).

As for me, I have my mid-term Parade assessment this Tuesday, so it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

That more or less brings you up to speed with how I'm doing for now. Once again, I'm sorry for my lack of updating, but I will endeavour to keep it up this time!

Bugging Out

Nathan

The school

2007-11-18T13:36:00.000Z

The last few weeks have been by far the hardest of my training so far. Just this last week, the rest of my troop joined me over at the school of music, to begin their music training. Now that we are fully in, the whole troop has landed with a thud in a very different setting Not everyone is picking it up as quickly as others, and as such this last week has been hard work, as the instructors bend and shape us into the people they want us to be. Certain things require a little more work, but we'll get there in the end.

My back is slowly but surely getting better, it still hurts quite a bit, but I am becoming much more mobile which is good. I look forward to being able to work on my fitness again in the next few months.

A bit of a 'fast ball'

2007-10-24T19:04:00.000+01:00

So, Monday morning, there I was expecting another quiet day, making cups of tea for the training team, whilst the finer bits and pieces regarding my new training program were ironed out. I may even have laminated a few pages if I was lucky. But, at 0940 I got a phone call from the UPWI informing me that in fact they were going to start my musical training at the school right away, and I was to make my way down to the Bugler's suite to report to my new instructor.

So with a bang I landed in my practise room, and that's where I've been since. Its another mass of information to take on board. There's a whole new routine, new faces, new friends and a whole different ethos and 'way of doing things'.

So far I'm getting on well with the rest of the Buglers and I haven't gotten in trouble yet, hopefully I'll keep it that way for as long as possible. I had my first lesson with my bugle professor yesterday and will have my first theory tomorrow. So far its good, there is a lot of time for 'personal practise' and so careful time management is required, so that you can ensure the syllabus is being covered.

Its all an exciting new challenge, one that I am looking forward to getting stuck into properly as the days go on.

Nathan

Update

2007-10-20T10:33:00.000+01:00

Well, I am now able to offer you some form of update as regards to what is happening with my back and subsequently my career. The powers that be have been in conversation with each other, they've then spoken to my physio and doctor then they've gone back and spoken more (Its been a very slow process). But it would appear that a decision has now been made.

With immediate effect, I have been pulled from Basic Military Training. What is now going to happen is at some point in the next week or so I will go over and join the School of Music, and subsequently start my musical training (Approx 3 weeks early). I will be out through a somewhat accelerated program and syllabus, more or less being written for me. In addition to this, I will be released from training at various points each week, in order to undergo treatment on my back. This will be both physio treatment, but also a series of back rehabilitation classes.

This time next year, I will go back and I will re-do basic training right from square one, doing the whole 10 weeks. The idea of the acceleratedmusic program, is so that when I take the 10 weeks out to re-do the military training, I won't actually end up being behind.

This is fantastic news, as there was a realy possibility I may have been discharged! Not only are they willing to keep me on, but they really are bending over backwards to help me!

I will of course keep you posted as to when I start at the school etc. For now thats all.

Nathan

Soooooooooo

2007-10-17T17:43:00.000+01:00

Well, the last week and a bit has been incredibly busy. Full of different bits and pieces going on, lots has been happening and lots of things to update you on.

Firstly and most importantly (for those of you who don't know yet), Naomi and I got engaged last Saturday. We're looking to get married on August 16th 2008, so keep that date in your diary! Luckily for me, Naomi is good at organising things, and It would appear she has maybe thought a little about what the wedding might be like before! To that end, plans are progressing surprisingly quickly considering that I am still in the middle of Basic Training!

Week 6 was a heavy one. As before I can't go into too much detail, for obvious reasons, but we were looking at CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) warfare and everything that goes with it. Lots of information to retain, facts and figures, drills, procedures etc. All of it absolutely crucial in today's modern warfare. Needless to say, sections of the training were really quite harrowing. But nonetheless its done and dusted for now. This week has seen a little more navigation training on Monday and then a CBRN exam on Tuesday morning before the practical assessment in the CS Gas chamber in the afternoon! Its the kind of assessment that if you've learnt the drills and just keep calm, it really isn't that bad. When you start to flap a little bit, that's when it gets uncomfortable. Now we are currently on Wednesday, and the rest of Troop 1/07 deployed this morning into the field on Op. Afghan Horn, the main navigational exercise.

I unfortunately have not been able to deploy due to back problems. I was able to finally see this Physio yesterday and so hopefully we should start getting to the bottom of it. It would appear that the issue, rather than being purely muscular, is in fact being caused by a 'protruding' disk in my spine. Not quite as simple as I had first hoped. Anyway, this has led to me being medically downgraded, subject to review in one months time. Needless to say this is not an ideal thing to happen at any point in someones military life, least of all 7 weeks into basic training. As it stands at the moment, the Troop Sgt (Sgt Schofield) is having a meeting with the DOM (T) Major Dowerick as I write this, to decide what is going to happen. Obviously I am apprehensive at the moment as regards to my future in the Band Service. For now, this is as up-to-date as I can bring you. I will of course let everyone know when I hopefully find out the result tomorrow morning.

Bugging out

Nathan

Week 4

2007-09-29T19:10:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks. As I'm sure you can appreciate, it's been fairly hectic and so I really haven't had much of a chance to get on the net and post on here.

I won't go into every tiny detail, as I'll be here for ever. Week 3 mainly consisted of 3 things. Number one was weapons training, everything from drills, to stripping and cleaning and all sorts of other bits and pieces. That was all in preparation for our weapons handling test that happened on Monday morning of this week just gone. PT was another big thing, preparing a Gym display for a families open day last Friday and then finally preparation for a Drill demonstration for the same reason. There was a fair bit to learn, in a fairly short space of time, so the pressure was beginning to build a little. We coped well as a troop though, and the families day itself was a great success.

This past week has been slightly more challenging. With the first 3 weeks over and done with, as well as our a family day out of the way, the pressure has been turned up just that little bit. We started week 4 with a long day of weapons handling tests followed by an afternoon of Navigation Training. We hadn't had rounds that morning, and unfortunately a few members of the troop dropped the ball a little as regards to how they left their rooms during the day. Well, of course, that was the day our wonderful DL (Drill Leader) decided to spot check the Grots (Rooms). He wasn't a happy bunny. 1845 saw us all formed up outside, immaculately ironed CS95 rig (our normal day to day uniform)., then was half an hour of quick changes. 5 minutes to change into Half Lovats, another 5 minutes into PT Rig, then Smart Civilian and a few others as well. Its all fun and games, especially when you have to climb 3 flights of stairs to get to your room. Then we had an hour to totally blitz the whole floor ready for full inspection before finally being able to carry on with our own admin! It was a long evening!

Tuesday saw more navigation training as well as a pretty vigorous PT session, with piggy backs, wheelbarrow carries, squat runs and of course the usual dose of press-ups, burpees and sit-ups.

Wednesday then saw our 2nd trip into the field on exercise. 3 days and 2 nights of various bits and pieces of field training, including full field kit musters, always fun at 0530 in the morning! I can't really go into too much detail as regards to what exactly we did, for obvious reasons, but just take my word for it, it was hard work! Lets just say, we spent a fair bit of time getting to know a certain valley, about 40 ft down with a pretty steep drop! Anyway, we're certain learning more and more all the time, certain things came a lot more naturally this time, but of course, it was about time to throw in a little more, so you think you have a routine sorted when they add in another half an hours work! That plus the 45 minutes you're expected to take cleaning your rifle! Oh well, all fun and games. We'll get it some day.

This week coming up holds 5 days at the ranges, shooting etc. Not sure exactly what we'll be covering, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to qualify for a Marksman award, we'll see how steady the old arm is!

That's me for now, we'll post again soon.

Nathan

The Rest of Week 2

2007-09-16T20:10:00.001+01:00

As I was saying, its been a tough one this week. We got back from our first exercise, rather tired. Then we had rounds on Thursday morning (Room inspections). Some people in the troop had not quite taken on board some of the instructions about what to do with wet kit etc, so we were in for a beasting! First was PT. This consisted of an hour in the Swimming pool, in which we did not stop once! We did all sorts of stuff, treading water, laps, lengths as well as various other exercises (bearing in mind its a high sided pool, and so climbing in and out, in itself is quite a tough exercise). Then, after having 4 minutes to dry and get changed, it was back outside on the field for more sprinting and exercise. One person sprinted up and down a football pitch, whilst the other did press-ups, or sit-ups etc, then you'd swap back and forth. That went on for another half an hour. Then, it was back to base, to meet our not so impressed Drill Instructor, who, along with the Troop Sgt 'gently reminded us' how important it was as a troop to get everything sorted. At that point I was definitely thinking to myself "What on earth am I doing here", but you push through it, and they day got much better. Friday was fab. We're well and truly into weapons training at the moment which is good fun and very interesting. We were finished by 1500 on Friday and we were able to relax a little and unwind in the bar later that evening.

This week holds all sorts. We have much more weapons training to come, which we need to complete fairly quickly, otherwise it's going to slow up the rest of the training program, on top of that we have a drill display and a PT display to organise ready for the open day on Friday. As a result, we have extra PT every evening this week, on top of what is already programmed. YEY.............. :-(

It's going to be a busy one, and with another major Inspection tomorrow morning, all are a little nervous as to how it's going to go. I definitely am. I have been tasked with heading up the cleaning etc of the whole lads block, and so I am a little nervous if its not good enough, that in fact it'll be me that gets the rubbish, not the whole troop. But that's all part of a leadership, and it's great that they are giving me these opportunities to stretch myself and show a wide variety of skills. Hopefully I should have my first review soon, so it'll be interesting to see what their opinion is of me.

That's more or less me for now. Please do post comments on here as well, it'll be good to hear from people, find out what people are thinking etc.

See ya

Nathan

End of Week 2

2007-09-14T18:45:00.000+01:00

Well, this week has been pretty tough. It started off well. Monday was a good day of drill, bit of PT and a few more lectures on various bits and pieces. Tuesday, at 0800 saw us leaving for our first trip out into the field. The day itself was absolutely fine, we had lessons on shelter building, breaking down our rations, cooking and washing in the field etc. Tuesday evening, things got slightly less fun. Wet and Dry Routine! Basically what happens is, you get all your kit on, including your webbing and Bergen (Very Heavy)! You then walk out into a muddy lake up to your waist, fall backwards, get pushed under by the Sgt and then back up you come. You then walk out, go and build your shelter, get into your dry clothes and then into your sleeping bag. That bits OK. Then, of course, you can't leave your harbour position un-guarded, so you take it in turns to go on Sentry duty. Of course, you can;t wear your dry kit on sentry duty, because if it were to rain, you would then have 2 sets of wet kit and you only carry 2 sets with you! So, at 0300, you get back into your very cold and very wet kit, wander around for an hour on Sentry duty, then back to bed, getting changed again into your dry kit. At 0530, everyone is up, back in their wet kit again, having breakfast, washing shaving etc. Then its time to pack away shelters and form up.

There we are all soaking wet and very cold, but there's no rest then its straight into field PT, which on Wednesday morning consisted of a 3 mile cross country run, broken up with the odd break in order to do sit ups, press ups, squat thrusts and Ab extensions! Fun and games. Then back in formation for a full kit muster (basically showing off all your kit, making sure its all clean and neat and tidy). Then its packing away time and off home. That only took us till Wednesday mid day! I'll talk about the rest of the week tomorrow.

Bugging Out

Nathan

As Promised

2007-09-09T19:30:00.000+01:00

Well, I've managed to get on for a second evening in a row now, so as promised here are a few more details.

As I was saying, the first week has been very focused on coaching New Entry Troop 1/07 through the basics of military life. The Training team have been nice and firm, but fair in how they're treating us, with the focus very much on training rather than beasting. Nothing they have done so far has been without reason, and even the small little things have been few and far between.

I myself have been fairing rather well in inspections so far, receiving very good comment on uniform in particular. Tomorrow, as I said sees the first of our locker inspections, so we will see if the weekends hard work has paid off.

This morning we attended church, all together as a troop. It was a good service, at St. Anne's. It's a church actually in the Dockyard. Very lovely building and an incredibly welcoming congregation. It turns out the Warrant Officer 1 Bandmaster for the School of Music also attends there, so am slowly building up a profile of Christians in the Band Service.

This week holds a few more challenges. We will be starting our rifle training this week, as well as spending our first night out in the field. That'll include the wonders of Wet / Dry Drills. More details on that later! PT will continue with a vengeance as well, with the first of our swimming sessions expected any day now. Emotions are running slightly wild. Sometimes excited, sometimes a little sad, mainly nervous and tired at the moment. But, still, looking forward to seeing what another week holds.

The guys in my room are pretty cool, getting on very well with them, having a good laugh and working together maintaining some degree of order with our kit etc. Slowly getting to know one another, filling each other in on our backgrounds which is good fun.

For now I should probably go, I need to report in with the Duty Corporal, and don;t want to annoy him by being late.

Do keep checking the Royal Marines Band website. They'll be more updates on there too, including diary entries and pictures.

Nathan

www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk

Week 1

2007-09-08T17:34:00.000+01:00

Well, I have now finished my first week of Basic Training. I'll be honest with you, I am a little sore in places, and definitely could do with a little more sleep. However, it has been a good week. It all started with the Attestation, from that point on we were in and there was no way back! Literally! We cannot leave and they cannot kick us out now for at least 2 weeks! After that things change a little.

First things, a little basic drill, kit issue, how to iron and polish, how to clean the accommodation etc etc, fairly standard things for the first few days. Thursday was our first day in Rig (Uniform), we were in it for about 20 mins before getting changed into our PT Rig, which consists of a thick white t-shirt and very short shorts! Not to mention the all time classic High Tech Silver Shadow Trainer!

We have had 2 PT sessions so far, both have been quiet hard work, as you would expect. Monday morning is when things will start to change a little, we will have our first Locker Inspection then, and there is a lot of folding (A4 size of course) to go. Hopefully tonight I will have that done, then its Church tomorrow morning and then shore leave for the afternoon.

That's more of less all I have time for now, I will try and get on again shortly, go into a little more detail.

See ya soon

Nathan

It's Time

2007-09-03T12:09:00.000+01:00

Well, as I sit here writing this entry, I am literally about 2 hours away from arriving at HMS Nelson to begin my training. I am a little sad, it has been hard saying goodbye to everyone. I am definitely very nervous now, lots of uncertainties whizzing around my head. But, mainly, I am incredibly excited. I can't wait to get stuck in and see what I can do. I know nothing about the timetable for today, other than the fact I will formally sign my contract and swear my oath at 1800 today. That'll then be it, head down and get on with it.

I will post on here as often as I can, but certainly for the first few weeks, I might just have to worry about one or 2 other things. There is also going be updates made on the Royal Marines Website. Go to www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk and follow the links to Troop 2007 Diary. There should be a short biog on there before long and maybe even some nice pictures!

Speak to you all soon

Bugging out

Nathan

The Idea

2007-08-17T00:20:00.000+01:00

In May 2007 I was privileged to be successful in my application to join the Royal Marines Band Service. So on September 3rd I will travel to HMS Nelson, home of the Royal Marines School of Music, and I will begin 2 years 7 months of training.

I thought it would be a idea to set up this blog, as a good way of letting you all, my friends and family, into the ins and outs of my time here. I'll do my best to keep you posted on how things are progressing, not to mention the numerous dits I'm sure I will end up with. As I become more and more enveloped in the Military way of life, I'll inevitably begin to incorporate more and more 'Service Slang' into my posts.

For a pretty comprehensive dictionary, go to:
http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/reference/Slang.htm

That will do by way of an intro. My aim is to get a few posts in before I leave, then as often as I can once I'm inside. Please do add any comments you wish. It'll be great to hear back from you guys as well!