Claire Bates (second right) gets a taste of Army lifeLast weekend, soldiers' families went on manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain to help them understand what soldiers go through. Claire Bates explains what insights she's gained into her husband's tour of duty in Iraq.
Claire Bates (second right) gets a taste of Army lifeLast weekend, soldiers' families went on manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain to help them understand what soldiers go through. Claire Bates explains what insights she's gained into her husband's tour of duty in Iraq.
It's early morning on a cold October day and Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Glynn Williams surveys his new recruits.
It's early morning on a cold October day and Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Glynn Williams surveys his new recruits.
Before him are 19 women, ranging from teenager to grandmother, professional dancer to company director, with 34 children between them.An Army wife during the drill
Before him are 19 women, ranging from teenager to grandmother, professional dancer to company director, with 34 children between them.An Army wife during the drill
His eyes rest on a young woman trying to melt into the background. "Why are you wearing make up?" he bellows.
His eyes rest on a young woman trying to melt into the background. "Why are you wearing make up?" he bellows.
"Well... I... er... don't see the point of letting yourself go, just because you're in the field... er ...sir," she replies.
"Well... I... er... don't see the point of letting yourself go, just because you're in the field... er ...sir," she replies.
He turns on his heel, feigning disgust, and orders us to fall in.
He turns on his heel, feigning disgust, and orders us to fall in.
Just how we came to be on Wiltshire's Salisbury Plain and taking part in this special exercise is down to those in charge of the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
Just how we came to be on Wiltshire's Salisbury Plain and taking part in this special exercise is down to those in charge of the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
All of us have loved ones serving with the regiment, and the aim of Exercise WHAGS (Wives Husbands And Girlfriends) is to teach us a little of what service men and women go through while away. It's the first of its kind done by the regiment.
All of us have loved ones serving with the regiment, and the aim of Exercise WHAGS (Wives Husbands And Girlfriends) is to teach us a little of what service men and women go through while away. It's the first of its kind done by the regiment.
It's also meant to be fun, and a thank you for keeping the home fires burning. Those in charge recognise it's been a tough time for everyone. With almost back-to-back deployments recently, including seven months in Iraq last year and seven to come in Afghanistan next year, moral among those left at home has been low.
It's also meant to be fun, and a thank you for keeping the home fires burning. Those in charge recognise it's been a tough time for everyone. With almost back-to-back deployments recently, including seven months in Iraq last year and seven to come in Afghanistan next year, morale among those left at home has been low.
Stark lesson
Stark lesson
The women - no male partners stepped up - have begged uniforms and other kit from their other halves. The only information given is what to pack in our bergens and day sacks - or handbags as we prefer.Claire's essentials to survive
The women - no male partners stepped up - have begged uniforms and other kit from their other halves. The only information given is what to pack in our bergens and day sacks - or handbags as we prefer.Claire's essentials to survive
I also sneak in three cans of G&T (ready mixed), two packs of Supernoodles (low fat) and a hot water bottle (cashmere cover). I figure these come under the "any other equipment to make life easier for you" category, by which I think the Army blokes mean sanitary items.
I also sneak in three cans of G&T (ready mixed), two packs of Supernoodles (low fat) and a hot water bottle (cashmere cover). I figure these come under the "any other equipment to make life easier for you" category, by which I think the Army blokes mean sanitary items.
My husband Paul packs the rest. He has to, as the list is virtually incomprehensible to a non-soldier - it includes a bivie bag (plastic cover for a sleeping bag to make it waterproof), a buffalo (warm down-filled jacket), a KFS (knife, fork, spoon....stupid) and a Norwegian (a type of container).
My husband Paul packs the rest. He has to, as the list is virtually incomprehensible to a non-soldier - it includes a bivie bag (plastic cover for a sleeping bag to make it waterproof), a buffalo (warm down-filled jacket), a KFS (knife, fork, spoon....stupid) and a Norwegian (a type of container).
RSM Williams calls Sergeant Keith Heslop to take us through basic drill. The usual comedy routines ensue, but it's a surprisingly stark lesson in how disciplined and tiring drill is.
RSM Williams calls Sergeant Keith Heslop to take us through basic drill. The usual comedy routines ensue, but it's a surprisingly stark lesson in how disciplined and tiring drill is.
We then board trucks into the heart of Salisbury Plain, where we build a "poncho" - plastic camouflage sheeting strapped between two trees to form something resembling tent.
We then board trucks into the heart of Salisbury Plain, where we build a "poncho" - plastic camouflage sheeting strapped between two trees to form something resembling tent.
To be windproof, it needs to be no more than 12 inches off the ground at its highest point. But this also rends it user-proof, since you can neither sit up, turn over nor drink a G&T without spillage.
To be windproof, it needs to be no more than 12 inches off the ground at its highest point. But this also rends it user-proof, since you can neither sit up, turn over nor drink a G&T without spillage.
Share and share alike
Share and share alike
To eat we have a 24-hour ration pack, including silver pouches with labels such as "non-meat mini burger and beans" and two Yorkie bars emblazoned with "not for civvies". There is also a "brew pack" of tea, coffee and hot chocolate.Preparing food from a ration pack
To eat we have a 24-hour ration pack, including silver pouches with labels such as "non-meat mini burger and beans" and two Yorkie bars emblazoned with "not for civvies". There is also a "brew pack" of tea, coffee and hot chocolate.Preparing food from a ration pack
We quickly become obsessed with food - when you don't have a lot, it means a lot. And there is a fine line on exercise between selfish and selfless.
We quickly become obsessed with food - when you don't have a lot, it means a lot. And there is a fine line on exercise between selfish and selfless.
I spill my brew mug just after giving away my last tea bag. I lend out a spoon then can't find my spare. And I offer someone a square of Yorkie and she takes the whole bar. There is still just enough civvie in me to smile courteously.
I spill my brew mug just after giving away my last tea bag. I lend out a spoon then can't find my spare. And I offer someone a square of Yorkie and she takes the whole bar. There is still just enough civvie in me to smile courteously.
The soldiers then push us hard - known as "beasting" - through thigh-high puddles in a range of armoured vehicles, over an eight-metre climbing wall and through first aid drills.
The soldiers then push us hard - known as "beasting" - through thigh-high puddles in a range of armoured vehicles, over an eight-metre climbing wall and through first aid drills.
We also fire an SA80 - a soldier's standard issue rifle - in a simulator. Sergeant Adam Bainbridge asks if anyone has "any dramas" with shooting a "representative human" on a screen. For a split second I think I do, but weapon in hand I rattle off 112 rounds in three minutes, killing 14 enemy.
We also fire an SA80 - a soldier's standard issue rifle - in a simulator. Sergeant Adam Bainbridge asks if anyone has "any dramas" with shooting a "representative human" on a screen. For a split second I think I do, but weapon in hand I rattle off 112 rounds in three minutes, killing 14 enemy.
I also find myself quickly becoming feral, contemplating nicking ketchup from the owner of the clay pigeon shoot in order to make my silver pouch of "mushroom pasta with herbs" more palatable.
I also find myself quickly becoming feral, contemplating nicking ketchup from the owner of the clay pigeon shoot in order to make my silver pouch of "mushroom pasta with herbs" more palatable.
Under the stars
Under the stars
Despite initial dread at the thought of camping, it's done in excellent spirit. Campfire conversation ranges from the US election to whether Katie and Peter might split. At the wheel of an armoured vehicle
Despite initial dread at the thought of camping, it's done in excellent spirit. Campfire conversation ranges from the US election to whether Katie and Peter might split. At the wheel of an armoured vehicle
It's cold sleeping on the ground, and emotionally draining, but I learn the importance of "admin" as the boys call it - having the right kit, knowing where it is, and keeping it dry.
It's cold sleeping on the ground, and emotionally draining, but I learn the importance of "admin" as the boys call it - having the right kit, knowing where it is, and keeping it dry.
It's seemingly small lessons like these that help me understand much more about the harshness of what my husband deals with. It's not just the lack of sleep, or days without washing, that are hard.
It's seemingly small lessons like these that help me understand much more about the harshness of what my husband deals with. It's not just the lack of sleep, or days without washing, that are hard.
Having basics such as light and heat taken away is disabling and disorientating. I now understand there is a real difference between what I think you need to survive and what you really need to survive.
Having basics such as light and heat taken away is disabling and disorientating. I now understand there is a real difference between what I think you need to survive and what you really need to survive.
I also realise there are difficult choices to be made between sharing kit to keep my comrades onside, and having enough to keep myself fed and comfortable. Not to mention how liberating it is to be dirty.
I also realise there are difficult choices to be made between sharing kit to keep my comrades onside, and having enough to keep myself fed and comfortable. Not to mention how liberating it is to be dirty.
But this exercise also reminds me that our Army is tough, organised, disciplined and chivalrous. I suppose I always knew this, but it's only now that I really understand why it is like this.
But this exercise also reminds me that our Army is tough, organised, disciplined and chivalrous. I suppose I always knew this, but it's only now that I really understand why it is like this.
