M-Coy Training Navex 3

Last Saturday the M-Coy had their last chance to put their Navigational skills to the test before the Gradex

The Recruits blindfolded at the starting point. The idea is that they remain blindfolded on the way so that when they arrive they have to find out where they are

Finding their location

Gerry isn't happy!

Now he is!

Stefan Meli at one of the Checkpoints with a Team

Team 2 (Delia, Gerada and CZ) emerge from the darkness

Myself having a bit of a break

Team 1 decided they wanted to do PT on one of their breaks

James trying to plot the next MR while running on the spot, how daft!

Along the way Debono had a myterious accident.

CZ looks a little upset

ahhhh! sunrise...

...and the Recruits are still looking for the last point

Scenes from the Medevac after the Navex, with Meli as the casualty

That's it for now. I'm up to date with the Blog. The

next big Activity is Summer Camp, which will serve as the M-Coy Boot Camp and the Gradex which takes up the last 2 days of camp.

We shouldbe having a PT Challenge Next week

Mo$es

Building Bridges

As part of the M-Coy Training Programme we took the Recruits to Pembroke where they built a pioneering project planned by the directing staff

At Pembroke by the sea

The Project of choice was a bridge which all the Unit would have to cross.

Kyle, CZ and Ian practicing their knots, constructing one of the A-frames

The VSL showing the boys how to secure the anchor for the bridge

The A-Frames are up and the ropes are being tightened.

Abela is the first person to try out the SVS Bridge

Gerada has his go

Delia struggling to hold on
Corrieri doing his Commando Crawl
Debono crossing the mighty bridge
Peter thinks he's walking a tight rope

And last but not least, James' turn!
C'mon james you can do it!!

So there you have it, we built a bridge, crossed it and after that we even had time left to fool around on it. The RVSs got a good chance to practice their knotting coz in a couple of weeks time the've got to build their own project at Camp as part of their Gradex!

After a fun night out with the Unit on Friday night we headed to Wied Ix-Xaqqa in Siggiewi for a Training Abseil.

The AVSL is working on his Advanced Abseiler so he used this occasion to practice some skills. We rigged on the short abseil so that we could do things faster since we had alot to work on.

AVSL and VSL forward rapelling

RVS James on his first Unit Abseil (Above)

and Ian Abela on his (Below)

The VSL

Myself on a much needed lunch break!

James practicing falling backwards and getting up.

Debono strolling down

Debono after the first 10 jumps!

Apart from practicing the regular jumping techniques Debono practiced jumping with his left hand, forward rapelling, changing ropes and rigging.

James and Ian enjoyed their first abseil and practiced falling and getting up and bottom safety. They joined us because they collected the most money for jobweek this year, in which most of the Recruits put in a very good effort and should be very proud of themselves.

This week we have two more Activities, Pioneering and a training Navex, both of which form part of the basic training programme.

Yours in Venturifying,

Mo$es

M-Coy Training Camp

Allo allo! Sorry for the delay but finally i have some pix from the M-Coy Training Camp for you to feast on. The Training Camp took place from the 4th-6th of August

The Trainees (L-R) James Spiteri, Peter Pullucino, Martin Pisani, CZ and Ian Abela. Andrea Gerada was also present most of the time.

The boys during a Command Task, the task being to lift Martin up with their arms out stretched.

Martin looks pretty comfortable if you ask me!

Night Time is the best time at Camp. Not for the M-Coy that is! Instead of a nice warm cup of hot Chocolate they got a nice dose of PT! Well it was a Training Camp not a hot choco Camp.

The M-Coy doing 'Pussy-Push-ups'

A Training Session to revise the knots and lashings learned, and all practical first aid and lifts ... at 3 am

A figure of 8 loop...with passion

Martin and his bowline

Putch and Ian during their morning PT session

CZ on his morning run

jogging on the spot

lift your knees guys!

a sexy photo of yours truly

Meli and the VSL

The Squad during a drill session

'One Step forward- March!'

During another Command Task

The mighty bridge has broken

Practicing our Rescue Knots

CZ's knot seems to be holding

The VSL himself

Martin at the end of the NAVEX

Ian carrying one of the casualties on the medevac

Treating the casualty

As you can see the Training Camp was filled with lectures, skills practice, drill and PT sessions, a Night Navigation Exercise, a couple of medevacs, about 3 Command Tasks some games and fooling around - we didnt really sleep at all, about one hour in the whole weekend. Well the Training was quite intense but maybe it was a little step forward for the recruits, maybe finally they're starting to find out what Venture Scouting is all about...and i don't mean sufferage.

It's a pity Capt Bob couldn't make it, but he may show up for Summer Camp.

More Updates soon

Mo$es