Pass Out
Last week I went down to watch my son Pass Out as a Royal Marine - it was a very emotional day and one of my proudest moments.
I was so excited as we walked into CTC from the Kings Squad carpark. It was the culmination of all those hard weeks of training for my son, the endless phone calls as he went through so many highs and lows. No more worry about him jacking it in, getting injured, failing an exercise, being backtrooped, the pride and relief for me, was overwhelming.
After refreshments in the Saville Room we were shown into the Falklands Hall where the Company Sgt Major gave an amusing introduction to each member of the Training Team. Then the curtains drew back and there to resounding applause, stood the Kings Squad in their lovats. They came forward individually, to much cheering from family and friends to receive their beret's and more amusing comments from the Sgt Major, I won't mention what was said about my son but suffice to say the team obviously knew him well *text deleted*. The lads then left the stage to change into their Blues and we were shown a brief video of training.
Thankfully it was a lovely day and we were led outside to the Parade Square to await the lads. Everyone had cameras and video recorders (although it is recorded officially and you can buy the DVD).
Then the sound of marching music and the RM band led the Kings Squad onto the square. It was so emotional seeing the boys escorted in, resplendant in their Blues, the very first time you had seen them wearing it. They gave an excellent drill demonstration and then the Kings Badge and Commando Medal were presented.
Then the words they had all waited so long for "Royal Marines to your duties". To the band playing a Life on the Ocean Wave, they marched off the parade ground led by the RM band to march round camp. The tannoy announced to the camp that the Kings Squad was about to march through and everyone who was able to, came out to clap them. Then back to the Saville room for a buffet lunch and to await your boy, the photographer had all the photos ordered by the boys - parents take plenty of money haha, because without fail it seemed to be us collecting and paying for these *text deleted*.
Then the lads still in their Blues slowly bimbled in - how long does it take to remove your white cap and put on your green beret?? It was the first time you get to see your lad up close, hug him and tell him face to face how proud you are. Time now to eat, have a drink, take more photos and chat with your boy, his mates and the training team. The alcohol flowed (for some *text deleted*) and the afternoon raced by, we were fortunate to be able to watch Sports Day on the Bottom Field from the balcony too. Then time for goodbyes to all their mates and off to collect the mountain of belongings they seem to have accumulated during their time down there. It took forever to get through camp, it felt like they knew everyone and were constantly stopped and congratulated.
It was a fantastic, amazing day, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. How it must have felt for those 46 lads passing out is probably hard for them to put into words. I know every single family/friend looked so proud of their boy, rightly so, they have gone through so much and are now a member of the amazing RM family.
Some pics of the day
http://cid-7a79d8062d69f82b.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!7A79D8062D69F82B!107/
Last week I went down to watch my son Pass Out as a Royal Marine - it was a very emotional day and one of my proudest moments.
I was so excited as we walked into CTC from the Kings Squad carpark. It was the culmination of all those hard weeks of training for my son, the endless phone calls as he went through so many highs and lows. No more worry about him jacking it in, getting injured, failing an exercise, being backtrooped, the pride and relief for me, was overwhelming.
After refreshments in the Saville Room we were shown into the Falklands Hall where the Company Sgt Major gave an amusing introduction to each member of the Training Team. Then the curtains drew back and there to resounding applause, stood the Kings Squad in their lovats. They came forward individually, to much cheering from family and friends to receive their beret's and more amusing comments from the Sgt Major, I won't mention what was said about my son but suffice to say the team obviously knew him well *text deleted*. The lads then left the stage to change into their Blues and we were shown a brief video of training.
Thankfully it was a lovely day and we were led outside to the Parade Square to await the lads. Everyone had cameras and video recorders (although it is recorded officially and you can buy the DVD).
Then the sound of marching music and the RM band led the Kings Squad onto the square. It was so emotional seeing the boys escorted in, resplendant in their Blues, the very first time you had seen them wearing it. They gave an excellent drill demonstration and then the Kings Badge and Commando Medal were presented.
Then the words they had all waited so long for "Royal Marines to your duties". To the band playing a Life on the Ocean Wave, they marched off the parade ground led by the RM band to march round camp. The tannoy announced to the camp that the Kings Squad was about to march through and everyone who was able to, came out to clap them. Then back to the Saville room for a buffet lunch and to await your boy, the photographer had all the photos ordered by the boys - parents take plenty of money haha, because without fail it seemed to be us collecting and paying for these *text deleted*.
Then the lads still in their Blues slowly bimbled in - how long does it take to remove your white cap and put on your green beret?? It was the first time you get to see your lad up close, hug him and tell him face to face how proud you are. Time now to eat, have a drink, take more photos and chat with your boy, his mates and the training team. The alcohol flowed (for some *text deleted*) and the afternoon raced by, we were fortunate to be able to watch Sports Day on the Bottom Field from the balcony too. Then time for goodbyes to all their mates and off to collect the mountain of belongings they seem to have accumulated during their time down there. It took forever to get through camp, it felt like they knew everyone and were constantly stopped and congratulated.
It was a fantastic, amazing day, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. How it must have felt for those 46 lads passing out is probably hard for them to put into words. I know every single family/friend looked so proud of their boy, rightly so, they have gone through so much and are now a member of the amazing RM family.
Some pics of the day
http://cid-7a79d8062d69f82b.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!7A79D8062D69F82B!107/
