4 MERCIAN By Major Jason Mantle
Another busy year for this widely spread Army Reserve Battalion. With the reduction in overseas Operations, we have seen the Battalion get involved with OP RESCRIPT, OP UNITY and OP LONDON BRIDGE as well exercises overseas.
Our Team The first part of the year saw us welcome Corporal Varun Bali to our detachment. He brings a wealth of regular experience and is already a great addition. He is making a huge difference and provides vital guidance to those around him as well as the very small amount of cricket knowledge he holds. Our other members continue to fulfil their role as well as assisting with recruitment and any other tasks that improve the Battalion.
Life in the Army Reserves by Corporal Varun Bali
I joined 4 Mercian in October 2021 after serving 10 years in the Army as a regular soldier. The whole transfer process was extremely smooth, and the transition very uncomplicated. At the time I was not particularly sure how things would work out as an Army Reservist and was quite apprehensive. This apprehension also affected my desire to compete for the Corps, Army and Combined Services cricket team, as I did as a regular soldier. I then had an excellent first meeting with Major Jason Mantle the Regimental Administration Officer who put me at ease immediately. All of my questions were answered and the Battalion forecasted events and my role were discussed which really helped. Importantly the support offered to my passion of playing cricket were also laid out. I left this meeting feeling like I had been a part of the Battalion for a long time and they invested time in me.
Key to me joining 4 MERCIAN was that my work/life (family) stability was recognised by all of the chain of command as a priority, which in turn provides extra peace of mind to any soldier’s life. I have been fortunate to have not missed any games of cricket for the Corps, Army or Combined Services this season. The Battalion have supported me with this, and Major Jason Mantle also travelled down to the Lords Cricket Ground to offer his support for our Interservices T20 tournament which we won.
I am only one year into my Army Reserve career. I am truly grateful for all the support and can honestly claim that joining Reserves was a positive decision, however joining 4 MERCIAN was the finest of all.
EXERCISE FROSTED EAGLE 22 by Major Jason Mantle
After two difficult years the Battalion Ski Expedition finally took place in February 2022. Last minute COVID related changes meant we travelled to Italy instead of Austria as
76 AGC JOURNAL 2022 Maj Jason Mantle in a Dolomites Frame.
Major Jason Mantle with Corporal Varun Bali.
previously planned but cannot complain. We took 23 Army Reservists of which two were SPS cap badged. I took up my place as the Expedition Organiser along with Corporal Vicky Shipton who after many years in the Army Reserves had never been away on any Military Adventure Training before. She was excited, nervous and made sure she took her British teabags with her for the time away. The ski conditions were perfect throughout the week with the sun shining and conditions excellent. Vicky had her moments with sore legs and the odd fall but battled through it and did very well. She earnt her Italian cuisine at the end of the ski days and the final trip to Venice before we returned home. An
Cpl Vicky Shipton with the MERCIAN Flag.
excellent chance to get away and now planning for Peru in Summer 2023, so more to follow then.
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