AN army reserve soldier from Redditch traveled to California this month to undertake a stomach churning training exercise.
Signaller Nick Marshall from 37th Signal Regiment, based in Redditch, joined Army Reservists from across the UK to take part in a two week adventure training course -Exercise Phoenix Fall and parachuting from planes at heights up to 13,000 feet.
Exercise Phoenix Fall involved soldiers training to get their Accelerated Free-fall licence, which allows them to jump solo anywhere in the world.
Soldiers on the exercise completed at least 25 jumps from heights between 5,500 and 13,000 feet and had to learn a number of specialist manoeuvres.
Sig Marshall said: “It was without doubt, the best experience I have ever had. The learning curve was steep, but the training second to none. California provided us with consistent superb weather to train in. It couldn’t have been better.”
In the last 12 months members of 37th Signal Regiment have had the chance to sign up for several adventurous training exercises, ranging from skiing and snowboarding expeditions in Germany, scuba diving in Cyprus to mountaineering expeditions in Morocco.
Sgt Russ Taylor, Regimental Sub Unit Support Officer at the Reserve Centre in Redditch said: “The training opportunities on offer to our Reservists are growing year by year. It’s fantastic to see our soldiers gain so many new skills and qualifications.”
37th Signal Regiment is a regional Army Reserve Regiment headquartered in Moons Moat, Redditch and is made up of part-time soldiers who train in their spare time to provide support to operations in the UK and overseas.
Reservists are paid for attending training and gain an annual tax free bounty for meeting a minimum training commitment of 27 days.
For more information call Sgt RP Taylor on 01527 599324 or visit http://ARMY.MOD.UK/JOBS
