I got down to lympstone at 1 and was surprised by how close the train is to bottom field! We then lined up outside the guard room waiting for the duty instructors to arrive. Mr_Kiwi was already waiting when we got there and we were all a bit nervous but the armed guard soon started talking to us!
Ten minutes later 3 figures appeared from the distance and as they grew closer we could make out the 2 chevrons on each of their eppilettes. We were then told that we were to pick our bags up and follow the Corporals to the PRMC block where we all were told to "fall out" in the corridor.
As time progressed more and more Prmc's turned up. Once we had been issued our combat rig and had made our beds we watched numerous videos. 2 hours into the video the last of the PRMC's arrived and were just in time for scran.
Once we had filled ourselves up we went back to our grotts and finished unpacking before we were to receive a "detail" from the duty Cpl. After a lecture into the course and giving £2 for biscuits and tea it was time for 9 o'clockers. We had 20 mins and then it was time to head back to our grotts and lights out at 10. We eventually managed to get some broken sleep around 12!
DAY 1
Day one started at 0545hrs. After a cold shower it was time to get into smart civvie rig to go down for scran! The scran at ctcrm is hooofing! I had 2 sausages 2 rashes of bacon and 2 pieces of fried bread. (Which in my opinion was fine). Once we had finished scran we were told to put on combats and boots and to be fell out in the corridor in 20 mins were we were given the days detail and then told to get into 3 ranks outside to get ready for the drill Cpl.
REMEMBER: Take your watches and all jewllery off! 5 lads found out the hard way!
Once we had marched to the drill shed the cpl asked me and two others to help him with the doors. (Turns out they were motorised!) Then we all marched into the shed and were taught the basics of drill.
After drill we had to get in to Combat 95 trousers, T-Shirt and trainers for the 3 miler the PTI then came and we speed marched out of camp to a near by car park (where a random chav just parked his car in the middle of the road much to the PTI's dismay). Anyway after a quick warm up and stretches we were off as a squad. I found running as a squad quite hard as you have to keep in time with your feet but it only lasts for 12mins. Then the sgt maj says best effort and your off! My advice is to just go for it best effort all the way I was running along with my mate who lives near me and we overtook around 7 people in the last 500m. Once you've finished you're given a tag with a number on and are told to walk in a circle.
ADVICE: No matter what urges you have don't cheer the Cpl on! Keano knows what i mean by that!
After a shower there was time for a short rest before scran. After scran we had a lecture on pay and conditions. Then Gym test 1.
GYM TEST 1
We were told to get into PT Rig and to bring our trunks rolled up in a towel. And the PTI took us down to the GYM. After 10 mins of being in 3 ranks outside in the cold we were told to get into the gym. We then did a few stretches and it was straight into the VO2 max test. Ok this test is easy, if you've trained for it and you should always aim to max it. I managed to get to 12.4 but most guys get to about 11 which is hooofing!
After the Bleep test it's time for the press-ups! Just make sure if you're told to get the mats out get them straight!
ADVICE: Don't itch or fidget in the gym or you'll have to do 20 tuck jumps or sprints!
After press-ups its sit-ups then pull-ups which you should aim to get 6 but some guys were getting 1. Make sure you train!
After the Gym time for a refreshing swim.
Wearing our speedos (ahem) we all lined up waiting for our turn to jump. You have to be able to swim 2 and a bit lengths breastroke.
After you get out of the pool you've got nice warm showers to look forward to! Then we got into 3 ranks outside and had to wait for every one to get out.
After we had time to reflect on the days events in our grotts or in my case the grott next door!! Haha LESLIE! Soon enough we were back out in the corridoor in smart civvies and were directed to the Foundation block where we met a lad from Manchester who spoke non stop for about an hour! After that whilst eating scran he came and sat by us again. Later on the duty cpl took us to the Presentation room for a lecture on Specialisations.
Around 2045hrs it was 9o'clockers but we went down the naafi for provisions!
ADVICE: Don't get energy bars! They're Chad as yer dad!
After a sip of tropicana and a tidy session it was lights out.
DAY 2
Day 2 begain again with a S*text deleted*T, a cold shower and a close shave.
Today was the last day of phys but first we had to mop!
After a hardcore session of what seemed an eternity of mopping then sqweegying the floors it was finally time for BOTTOM FIELD. We all got into Combats and Boots and lined up outside in the rain. The PTI then took us down to the Death Slide where we were serenaded with a rendition of Neil Diamond by a crazy cpl in an ambulance!
That same Cpl then showed us how to get down the death slide! Eventually i found myself harnessed up and making my way up the ladder where the Sgt Maj was waiting for me he then said the words "Stand-by" and "Jump" I jumped out legs bent then was given the command "Stretch" it was all over in seconds!! Hoofing bit of kit!
After we had all had a go on the slide the Cpl got on of the lads to wet his hair to the side and drew a Hitler Moustache on him and made him parade around like hitler!
After many laughs we were taken to the bottom field where the winds were 41mph and you could hardly hear what the PTI was saying. We were told to dive on the floor and commando crawl to the wall and back then roll over so we were caked in mud and soaked!
After learning the basics of the assault course it was the timed run! This is a hard time really especialy with the winds but its also great fun!!
After the assault course our determination was tested this lasts for 20-30 mins and is a real test of how much you want it.
We had one guy decide it wasnt for him just before the assauly course and one lad was told to retire from the determination test as he looked like a ghost!
Lads after the determination test you are hanging out! but keep goin! We then had to do piggy backs this pushes you hard but if you want it enough and have a bit of spine then you'll get through it!
Finnally the bottom feild was done with and we took our kit off and had a cold shower! We then had a weapons aquiant which is waz! Then a nice lady from Barclays came to tell us about banking.
Then it was scran! I suggest you stock up here as you'll be hanging out in Gym test 2!
Then after our scran had gone down we had our interveiws. These our easy if youve done you're research on the Corps. They also give time for your scran to go down.
After scran and once we had filled up our water bottles it was time for Gym test 2!
When you get into the gym you will be told to help set mats etc. out. Then you are show how to do each of the five stances.
REMEMBER: In the gym you are always double timing and although this test doesnt sound hard it's the final test and probably the most tiring!
After 3mins on each stance you are told to help put the equipment away to make space for sprints. We were split into two teams one either end and the PTI shouted what to do!
ADVICE: Listen to what he is saying and you wont have to do endless pressups!
After the phys has been squared away you can let out a sigh of relieve! The hard work is over!
The rest is basically what you make it! In my case it involved honking smells (Phy Ninja) and a certain lad from hull in the room next to me cracking jokes! But if you've trained you should find it no problems!
The following day we were issued our boots and we're on the train by 12!
Overall I had a hoofing time and met some funny people and can't wait for Recruit Training!
And one more thing...Crack on Lofty!
Ten minutes later 3 figures appeared from the distance and as they grew closer we could make out the 2 chevrons on each of their eppilettes. We were then told that we were to pick our bags up and follow the Corporals to the PRMC block where we all were told to "fall out" in the corridor.
As time progressed more and more Prmc's turned up. Once we had been issued our combat rig and had made our beds we watched numerous videos. 2 hours into the video the last of the PRMC's arrived and were just in time for scran.
Once we had filled ourselves up we went back to our grotts and finished unpacking before we were to receive a "detail" from the duty Cpl. After a lecture into the course and giving £2 for biscuits and tea it was time for 9 o'clockers. We had 20 mins and then it was time to head back to our grotts and lights out at 10. We eventually managed to get some broken sleep around 12!
DAY 1
Day one started at 0545hrs. After a cold shower it was time to get into smart civvie rig to go down for scran! The scran at ctcrm is hooofing! I had 2 sausages 2 rashes of bacon and 2 pieces of fried bread. (Which in my opinion was fine). Once we had finished scran we were told to put on combats and boots and to be fell out in the corridor in 20 mins were we were given the days detail and then told to get into 3 ranks outside to get ready for the drill Cpl.
REMEMBER: Take your watches and all jewllery off! 5 lads found out the hard way!
Once we had marched to the drill shed the cpl asked me and two others to help him with the doors. (Turns out they were motorised!) Then we all marched into the shed and were taught the basics of drill.
After drill we had to get in to Combat 95 trousers, T-Shirt and trainers for the 3 miler the PTI then came and we speed marched out of camp to a near by car park (where a random chav just parked his car in the middle of the road much to the PTI's dismay). Anyway after a quick warm up and stretches we were off as a squad. I found running as a squad quite hard as you have to keep in time with your feet but it only lasts for 12mins. Then the sgt maj says best effort and your off! My advice is to just go for it best effort all the way I was running along with my mate who lives near me and we overtook around 7 people in the last 500m. Once you've finished you're given a tag with a number on and are told to walk in a circle.
ADVICE: No matter what urges you have don't cheer the Cpl on! Keano knows what i mean by that!
After a shower there was time for a short rest before scran. After scran we had a lecture on pay and conditions. Then Gym test 1.
GYM TEST 1
We were told to get into PT Rig and to bring our trunks rolled up in a towel. And the PTI took us down to the GYM. After 10 mins of being in 3 ranks outside in the cold we were told to get into the gym. We then did a few stretches and it was straight into the VO2 max test. Ok this test is easy, if you've trained for it and you should always aim to max it. I managed to get to 12.4 but most guys get to about 11 which is hooofing!
After the Bleep test it's time for the press-ups! Just make sure if you're told to get the mats out get them straight!
ADVICE: Don't itch or fidget in the gym or you'll have to do 20 tuck jumps or sprints!
After press-ups its sit-ups then pull-ups which you should aim to get 6 but some guys were getting 1. Make sure you train!
After the Gym time for a refreshing swim.
Wearing our speedos (ahem) we all lined up waiting for our turn to jump. You have to be able to swim 2 and a bit lengths breastroke.
After you get out of the pool you've got nice warm showers to look forward to! Then we got into 3 ranks outside and had to wait for every one to get out.
After we had time to reflect on the days events in our grotts or in my case the grott next door!! Haha LESLIE! Soon enough we were back out in the corridoor in smart civvies and were directed to the Foundation block where we met a lad from Manchester who spoke non stop for about an hour! After that whilst eating scran he came and sat by us again. Later on the duty cpl took us to the Presentation room for a lecture on Specialisations.
Around 2045hrs it was 9o'clockers but we went down the naafi for provisions!
ADVICE: Don't get energy bars! They're Chad as yer dad!
After a sip of tropicana and a tidy session it was lights out.
DAY 2
Day 2 begain again with a S*text deleted*T, a cold shower and a close shave.
Today was the last day of phys but first we had to mop!
After a hardcore session of what seemed an eternity of mopping then sqweegying the floors it was finally time for BOTTOM FIELD. We all got into Combats and Boots and lined up outside in the rain. The PTI then took us down to the Death Slide where we were serenaded with a rendition of Neil Diamond by a crazy cpl in an ambulance!
That same Cpl then showed us how to get down the death slide! Eventually i found myself harnessed up and making my way up the ladder where the Sgt Maj was waiting for me he then said the words "Stand-by" and "Jump" I jumped out legs bent then was given the command "Stretch" it was all over in seconds!! Hoofing bit of kit!
After we had all had a go on the slide the Cpl got on of the lads to wet his hair to the side and drew a Hitler Moustache on him and made him parade around like hitler!
After many laughs we were taken to the bottom field where the winds were 41mph and you could hardly hear what the PTI was saying. We were told to dive on the floor and commando crawl to the wall and back then roll over so we were caked in mud and soaked!
After learning the basics of the assault course it was the timed run! This is a hard time really especialy with the winds but its also great fun!!
After the assault course our determination was tested this lasts for 20-30 mins and is a real test of how much you want it.
We had one guy decide it wasnt for him just before the assauly course and one lad was told to retire from the determination test as he looked like a ghost!
Lads after the determination test you are hanging out! but keep goin! We then had to do piggy backs this pushes you hard but if you want it enough and have a bit of spine then you'll get through it!
Finnally the bottom feild was done with and we took our kit off and had a cold shower! We then had a weapons aquiant which is waz! Then a nice lady from Barclays came to tell us about banking.
Then it was scran! I suggest you stock up here as you'll be hanging out in Gym test 2!
Then after our scran had gone down we had our interveiws. These our easy if youve done you're research on the Corps. They also give time for your scran to go down.
After scran and once we had filled up our water bottles it was time for Gym test 2!
When you get into the gym you will be told to help set mats etc. out. Then you are show how to do each of the five stances.
REMEMBER: In the gym you are always double timing and although this test doesnt sound hard it's the final test and probably the most tiring!
After 3mins on each stance you are told to help put the equipment away to make space for sprints. We were split into two teams one either end and the PTI shouted what to do!
ADVICE: Listen to what he is saying and you wont have to do endless pressups!
After the phys has been squared away you can let out a sigh of relieve! The hard work is over!
The rest is basically what you make it! In my case it involved honking smells (Phy Ninja) and a certain lad from hull in the room next to me cracking jokes! But if you've trained you should find it no problems!
The following day we were issued our boots and we're on the train by 12!
Overall I had a hoofing time and met some funny people and can't wait for Recruit Training!
And one more thing...Crack on Lofty!
