A Year in the Life

36 Engineer Workshop

OC LAD - Capt D Murray WO1 (ASM) M Fitzpatrick WO2 (AQMS) I Reason

Section Comp speed march (pic time march)

Foreword

Scribe Sgt Willson

2020 has been a long and strange year for the Workshops here at 36 Engineers. Despite the overwhelming storm of Covid-19, the Workshop has managed to accomplish much, not just in terms of production (somehow maintaining the Regimental fleet at above 70% throughout) but also participating in a wide range of other activities. The Workshop paved the way for the Regiment throughout the year by adapting rapidly to new challenges thrown at us with Covid-19, often having the rest of the Regiment emulating our new procedures at keeping the workforce safe. This year has demonstrated that members of the Corps are not only thought of as an attached arm but as an instrumental part of the Unit. We saw this when our ASM (WO1) Fitzpatrick led the parade for the Firmin Sword of Peace, in place of the RSM. We saw this again when Workshops won the COs Technical Challenge. When the Regiment has required a fleet of vehicles for the many Ops and fastball taskings, the Workshops rapidly responded and maintained a high output despite the many restrictions and challenges. orders, CASEVAC, command tasks, SERE, problem solving, ranges and a minimum of 6 navigation check points. We started the evening with kit inspection checks and anyone missing anything would have a point deducted from the section. The following morning, we set out and our first task was delivering orders which we had to do in the camp. After successful completion of the orders, we had 6 more tasks to complete before 00:00hrs. All tasks were distanced apart on the Longmoor training area. Navigating from one point to the other was very arduous, since the points were around 4 miles apart whilst having to carry a full day sack and a rifle. After 10 hours into the competition, the mental challenge really kicked in, fatigue, muscle cramps begun to slow us down and we had to stop more to rest; almost every 5 minutes. It got to a point where we could barely move because of the amount of muscle cramps. We completed our last task for the day with a command task before navigating to our final resting place for the night. On the 3rd day, we set out at 05:00am hoping to complete a minimum of 6 check points, which was a success. At this point we had already lost one team member due to injury.

We headed back to the camp, where we got ourselves ready for the tasks that lay ahead the following day. On the 4th day of the competition, we were flown to Dartmouth, where we completed a march and shoot. My section won the competition and each member of the section received an amazon voucher worth £100.

Overall, the competition was physically and mentally demanding and required lots of effort to complete it. Despite the hard nature of it all, it was a fantastic experience.

Section Competition

Scribe LCpl Boon

On the 3rd of February 2020, the Regiment deployed to Longmoor Camp for the annual section competition. This was my first section competition since arriving at regiment in 2017. The competition comprised of 96 participants, forming 12 sections from different Corps and trades.

The competition tasks involved: kit checks,

AQMS Reason and SSgt Crosbie after trying to catch eggs

Scribe Cfn Unthank

For a variety of reasons, 2020 was a challenging year for us at the 36 ENGR Workshops, much the same as the rest of us around the country I’m sure. However, that did not stop us from taking part in some Regimental CO’s competitions. Firstly, several workshop members took part in a full-length marathon around the local area. Running in 4-man teams, each group comprising of a diverse assortment of ranks and trades and proved to be an excellent (if slightly cold and wet) team building experience. In a welcome change of pace, the second CO’s competition had a small team put their engineering skills to the test and assemble a homemade catapult capable of launching eggs as far as possible. This was judged by 8 Brigade Commander Brigadier J E Fossey OBE. Each team also had to design and construct a small bridge, capable of bearing the weight of a bowl of eggs, then a full sandbag. In the end, the REME Workshops team won on the catapult challenge, and were first place overall in this technical challenge. This was a much-needed respite, especially considering the unique challenges that 2020 presented.

Op AGORA, Op TEMPERER & UKSB

Scribe Cfn Singh-Loha

Over the past year, 36 Engineers has been tasked with supporting 3 different and equally challenging operations, AGORA, TEMPERER, and UKSB. Over the festive period, the workshop worked tirelessly to keep the fleet ready and fully operational for when they were called to provide aid to local authorities. With Covid restrictions in place, this has been far more challenging than we have been used to, but with an efficient team and a can-do attitude we accomplished what was asked of us. Having to start early and working later than usual, we all had to make sacrifices over the

COs’ Tech challenge winning team

festive period with our loved ones. We came together, supporting each other to make sure the workshop kept the engines turning at 36 Engineers.

Corps Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess Autumn Dinner Night

Thursday 4th November 2021

The Harris MM Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess The Prince Philip Barracks Lyneham Chippenham SN15 4XX Open to all serving and eligible retired WOs and SNCOs Ticket Price: £25 Book on the REME Connect website from August 2021 https://remeconnect.org/