Junior Soldier (JS) Field blogs once more from the Army Technical Foundation College, Winchester (ATFC(W)). He writes about his fourth week of Junior Entry Phase 1 Training and completing an outdoor exercise in the snow.
A shot from Exercise FIRST STEP
Week 4 has been and gone. Just like the last three, it’s flown by, but this one has definitely been my favourite.
JS Field, in the field
Firstly I got out of the Medical Centre and back into training which I was very pleased about. Also this week we went on Exercise FIRST STEP which was brilliant – although it was REALLY, REALLY cold! Oh well – with a set of thermals, arctic socks and a pair of gloves it was sorted!
The exercise was an eye-opening experience. We set out into 4 inches of snow and I thought it was going to be hell! But I enjoyed the opportunity to learn new skills – like cooking, setting up a harbour to live in, conducting ‘sentry’ to protect our harbour, washing and shaving in ‘the field’ and carrying out patrols.
I also had my first taste of ration packs this week. I’d heard so many stories of them being rubbish but I thought they were quite good.
Another plus for week four was that I passed my weapon handling test which put me on a big high. And I passed my morals and standards test too.
Next week we have adventurous training and I can’t wait!
The Official British Army Blog 
Congratulations on passing your tests this week. Glad to see you enjoyed being on exercise, just think a few short months ago a camping trip would have meant at least a heated shower block & Burger King as a minimum requirement !!!!!
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Enjoy the rat packs, they are 100% better than they were10 years ago, even I eat them now lol
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Well done mate, us ‘oldies’ are bloody proud of you guys – the VERY best of luck and Seasons Greetings.
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Well done young Mr Field, stick at it, as once you finish you are a member of the biggest family in the country. We are all brothers and would willingly lay down our lives for one another. Make a carreer of it and stay in for the long haul. Stay well and remain safe on future deployments. Best wishes to you and all your fellow trainees and seasons greetings.
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Congratulations JS Field. I’m glad you’re enjoying your life. Your positive attitude is also to be commended. You’ll meet many ”tests” in your career and, if you maintain your present attitude, you’ll pass them all with flying colours.
Again, congratulations and much respect.
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Mr Field, Moments ur sharing with ur mates has been great, passing by quickly, but not all will. Learn lessons from these. X
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Well done little bro! Glad to see you are enjoying yourself and getting on well with everything. Look forward to speaking to you again soon and take care. James
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Hey Mr. Glad to hear you’ve passed you’re tests. This might be the second message that you get come up from me! I did put one on the other night but it doesn’t seem to showing up. Really glad you’re enjoying yourself and getting to try out loads of new experiences. Speak soon.
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Congratulations on everything gained so far. It seems so much in such a short time span. These six weeks have flown. Not long now till Christmas. So proud. Mum
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Well done. My son is at Winchester just now, he really enjoyed the adventure training last week and is looking forward to the final tests etc and “passing in” at the end of the week – and then HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!! 🙂
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Thanx Debbie Field 4being a proper mum & raising a hero son, so nice to share with u, ur lads’ achievments. Mr Field-So Proud
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