Tablers Army! (From Western Telegraph)

Tablers Army!

Round Table members from across Pembrokeshire descended on the Castlemartin Army Camp last Saturday for Operation Dragons Net.

The operation is a Look at Life scheme, intended to drum up interest in the Territorial Army (TA). Organised by Major Martin Green, of the Royal Logistics Corps TA, the exercise saw local businessmen driving off-road vehicles, firing small arms, completing assault courses and problem solving challenges, learning survival techniques and being drilled on the square.

The Western Telegraph went along to see the boys put through their paces.

Major Green said: People dont understand what the Army does any more because theres not the tradition of national service. In this situation, there is a specific role for the TA. We will take someone with no qualifications and turn them into anything from an HGV driver to a chef. Its like doing a modern apprenticeship.

Pointing to a large flatbed vehicle, Major Green said: This vehicle is part of the kit used by the TAs logistics support regiment. It can load two tonnes of ammunition in around two minutes. Obviously, to operate that, someone would need a hazardous chemical (HazChem) qualification. We provide that training and a host of other qualifications to add to the skills of our members. Major Green, with 14 years TA experience after four years in the regular Army, added: There is also the financial incentive of a tax-free bounty and the same rate of pay as a regular soldier for days worked.

Travelling round the camp with Major Green in an Army Land Rover, we were shown the Milford Haven team being drilled on the parade ground. With their boiler suits and hats struggling against the icy wind, they put on a brave face as they were marched back and forth.

Another short and bumpy ride took us to the Haverfordwest team who were having a lot more fun being shown around the workings of a Warrior tank. Although not let loose at the controls, they were able to pose for a quick photograph. Little did the Haverfordwest team know that just a short way off, members of the 47 Air Dispatch Support Regiment were preparing to give them a crash course in the art of outdoor survival. Staff Sergeant Bob Hoskin took a break from setting his traps to say: We tell them how to prioritise - get out of the elements, get a good location, then set about finding food and water. We relate it to civilian survival. These skills would be invaluable if your car broke down on Dartmoor.

Transferable skills were also being developed when we caught up with the Tenby team on their command task.

This problem-solving and teamwork exercise involved salvaging and repairing a damaged trailer under a strict time limit. Major Green said: This is good for junior members because they realise they have to work together and treat people right to get things done.

On a final stop, we caught up with the Haverfordwest group again as they learned the basics of handling a semi-automatic rifle. Captain Nigel Stevenson talked the group through the process, from picking the weapon up to loading and firing with blank ammunition.

After the days activities, many Round Table members stayed overnight in the Castlemartin barracks. Whether any have been tempted enough to join up remains to be seen, but all agree it was a day out with a difference.

Haverfordwest Round Table members, Doug Snape, dentist; Sean Bassett, of Herons Reef residential home; Keith Luke, farmer; Peter Lovegrove, company director; Gary Lewis, company director; Dave Richards, GP; Neil Watts, dentist; Dave Davies, GP, and David Howlett from Lloyds TSB try out the Warrior tank under the supervision of Corporal Dorian James (air ambulance paramedic), Staff Sergeant Sarah Charlton (accounts manager) and Staff Sergeant Steve Watts (brewery worker).