Corporal Sarah Russell

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS/EXPERIENCE:

• Involved in the Falklands 25th Anniversary Parades last year.
• Worked at RAF Lyneham for 5 years prior to promotion.
• Upon promotion posted to RAF Brize Norton due to the move to Leeming of TCW.
• Joined RAF at the age of 28, prior to that I worked on the cruise ships, (QE2, Canberra, Oriana).
• 2 children, married to an ex rock ape, he is in the Reserves.
• 2 tours of Mount Pleasant and due to go to Al-Udeid next year.
• Currently involved in storybook wings, a welfare initiative that is being trialled at RAF Brize Norton.

Day 1 - 1st July 2008

Woke early, sleeping on a camp cot with a sleeping bag twisted around you is no fun. Big breakfast in preparation for a day of drill, back to the room and slapped on the factor 30, I don’t want burnt arms.

Onto the parade square with much trepidation to collect our drill rifles and someone already in trouble for using the carrying handle as a carrying handle! (I was doing it to), oh dear, was a bit worried at this point that it would all go wrong.

By dinnertime we were all working well, and having a good time, the drill instructors broke us down into groups and we learned the first part of foot drill and arms drill. No 1 inspection after dinner, which went well for all, the general work on shoes needed, but no real dramas. Consolidation at the end of the day, which included a drill movement I did not know how to do, so my drill went to rack and ruin, but I don’t think the big boss saw me (whoops, dropped myself in it now!!). All in all, a good day, we are all working to be the best for the Queen in 10 days time, so here’s looking forward to tomorrow. I’m off to the gym now.

Day 2 - 2nd July 2008

My legs are hurting from circuits, my back hurts from the camp cot, and my right arm is bruised from drill, so basically I am falling apart, (if you are reading this Your Majesty, I don t mind one bit). The drill is coming together really well, we have been formed in our positions for the day, and I am on the front row, so my son, Jake, will see me, he is looking forward to seeing me on parade for the Queen, and is excited about watching me doing drill, who knows he may want to join up (not really, he is only 6). We have now learned all the drill moves we need, so it is just ironing out the problems (my slope arms is a bit dodgy at times), and practise, practise, practise, so I may be reporting blisters on the next blog, but for now, bull my shoes, iron my kit, then off to the gym.

Day 3 - 3rd July 2008

We had another drill move today, where we had to advance forward in 3 ranks in 14 paces, stay in line with the whole squadron, then do a Royal salute. It is not a difficult move, but the logistics are, trying to keep in line by just looking out of the corner of your eye is difficult, but we mastered it quite quickly. This afternoon the parade officers joined us so we could start to work together. The first time we marched around it all went wrong, the officers were out of step, we were jumping around everywhere, but it was to be expected, and again we got there, and from now on it is just going over and over the parade. Looking forward to the practise with the band on Saturday, then next week to Fairford for parade practise. I’m off to the gym now; I need to build up the muscles in my arms for the long periods of standing still with the riffle in the shoulder. See you in 8 days your Majesty.

Day 4 - 4th July 2008

We were joined today by the standard party, approx 200 Sgt's and above. After 4 days of drill it was good to show off in front of others, and as we were told by the DI staff and FS we all fantastic, which has made us all stand tall, and of course the fact that the standard party are just starting gives us a laugh, (don’t worry guys and gals of the standard party, give it a few days and you may look as good as us junior ranks!) We have spent all day going over and over the parade format, fast forwarding a lot of procedures, so all in all we were doing our stuff for about 30 mins each time.

Of course next week when we go to Fairford and do parade run through it will include all the in between bits that we are not needed for, which means long periods of standing with rifle in the shoulder, I am not looking forward to that, but I have been told their are cheats to take the weight off. I want to know how to sleep standing up for 10 mins or so, without dropping the rifle! The Queens Colour Sqn has arrived tonight, I’m sure we can show them on the parade square on Saturday how it's done.

Day 5 - 5th July 2008

Today was the first day that we did a full run through of the parade with the RAF Regiment, and the Standards Party. We are first on and last off, with a lot of arm ache in between. It is the first time we have seen the RAF Regiment on parade, and in my opinion, on a par with us! So if you are reading this your Majesty you are going to be in for a good show. On the second run through it rained, very hard, not like yesterday when most of the parade got burnt (not me, I had on factor 30).

Back on the parade square tomorrow at 09.00 for more run throughs which basically is what we will do for the next week; but we have to make sure the Officers and the Standard Party get it right on the day, because they are not up to our standard (ha ha that’s me in trouble then!!) I’m off to put another layer of polish on my No 1 shoes before what is another very hard, but enjoyable circuit session.

Day 6 - 6th July 2008

The weather was bad today. We all left the block wearing our foul weather jackets, but were told that we would probably not be able to wear them. That caused a bit of a tremble through the ranks, but it turned out ok as we were able to wear them, and boy did it rain. The drill was difficult due to wearing a big jacket and the rifles being wet and sloppy, but we did it. The standard party are looking better, which is probably because they have now been doing drill for three days, and practice makes perfect, and we have another four days parade practise to do.

We were knocked off at dinner time today, which was a big morale booster, and for me an opportunity to see my husband and children, who nipped down from RAF Brize Norton.

Tonight I will be ironing all my shirts for next week and bulling my No1 shoes, which I think look really good now.

Day 7 - 7th July 2008

Early start today, off to RAF Fairford for parade practice. Packed all my foul weather clothing, trousers as well (which I wasn’t allowed to wear). When we arrived, we were segregated into marquees, which were really nice, and we spent the morning waiting around. Come eleven we were formed up and marched onto the parade square as per the order of the parade, to see that our markers were in place, and we practiced dressing onto them, (or be told off by the QCS WO). At this point it had not rained.

We went back to our marquee for dinner, and we were all presently surprised to see we had really nice sandwiches and not a dodgy sausage roll in sight.

After lunch, we formed up for a proper run through, and I was worried about making my marker, but I kept my head high, and I spotted it, and in the dress, got right on it. Job well done. The parade was going well, until torrential rain, which came from the back of us all. It was horrendous, The RAF Regiment marched off, the Standard party marched off and we did a general salute for them then marched off, very very soggy. By this time the sun had come out – we could have finished it off!!

Well, back at Innsworth to clean and dry our kit ready for a 07.00 start tomorrow, and probably a few run thoughs to catch up from today. Bring your umbrellas Your Majesty, in case it rains on Friday. But if it rains like that it will make good telly, and we will all stay in it till the end.

Day 8 - 8th July 2008

Early start today and we arrived at RAF Fairford at 09.00, to be told that the parade run through will be at 10.30, so a long sit around. The Queens Colour Squadron treated us to a continuation drill that apparently they had learned last night and this was their first full run through, and it was very impressive. Our first parade of the day was long and hard, I was under the impression that the practise we did yesterday was to the true timings. Well how wrong was I? I thought my arm would drop off when we were waiting for the VIP to review the parade, and my next drill move was very sloppy, I just threw it up to my shoulder, but it was in time. I need to work on my biceps.

After dinner we did another full parade for the AOC of 22 Group, and a collective groan was heard. Would we cope with the long spell with the weapon in the shoulder? When that time came we were distracted by a fly over. Of course we are not allowed to move, but I held my head higher than normal with my eyes upwards, and I was most impressed by the Typhoon’s, C17, Hercules etc, and I forgot my pain. After the parade and before we marched off, the AOC addressed us all and told us we were very good and ready to parade for the Queen. We are back at Innsworth now, ready to join the monster queue for tea, and a night in watching DVD’s and getting our No1 kit ready for the full dress rehearsal for the Chief of Air Staff. I hope my arm has recovered, and no sloppy drill moves!

Day 9 - 9th July 2008

I had a text last night from Wayne Brinkley at RAF Brize Norton, he had delivered Hot water to Fairford for us to have hot drinks (Thanks Wayne, much appreciated), and he watched the parade. He said it was fly over ‘awesome’, and he wished he had volunteered to be part of it.

A lot of people had a night out last night, so lots of shenanigans in the early hours, I was rudely awoken by someone banging on my window at 2am, oh how I laughed (not), and the people who were lucky enough to be able to bring cars sloped off home. I had a can of coke and watched DVDs in the lounge, which was nice as the sofas are very comfy – beats sitting on the camp cot.

I put another layer on my No1 shoes, ironed my kit, and cleaned my brasses today. We have been told that the dull dress rehearsal is cancelled; it will be a undress rehearsal, so I’m putting on my wet weather clothing. So, late night tonight. My arm is better today, so no sloppy drill moves. I’d better get my waterproof mascara on, and keep my eyes out for my marker.

Day 10 - 10th July 2008

The full dress rehearsal at RAF Fairford last night did not happen. We all arrived at Fairford at 17.00 hrs to relentless rain, and a lot more aircraft (ready for RIAT). We formed up in No 2 dress (thankfully), to be told that we must wait in our marquee to be addressed by The Chief of Air Staff. At 20.30, the big boss spoke to us all and said that we had no need to do a parade in this weather as the AOC was happy with our parade, and that we should be proud and look forward to Friday. So on the bus and back to our camp cots.

Today we did a parade practise at Innsworth; there are a few slight changes to the parade, and when we are given an inward dress we have to dress inward but eye’s and arms to the right, which caused a few crumbles in the ranks. Upon questioning this, personnel who exercised their right to free speech were told to shut up, but you see ‘Quins’ are not like the RAF Regiment, we question everything!

Most people are spending the afternoon packing, our No1s are ready as they were not used last night. An early start tomorrow and people’s thoughts are turning to the big day in front of The Queen, then home. Back to our jobs, no more ‘enforced PT and two can rule for the pilots and technicians’ that are here (thanks to one newspaper, you got it so wrong).

The weather is picking up and today it is quite sunny, and a bit windy, but if it is like this on Friday, that we will be fine and the spectators (my husband and son being part of them) will have a good day out. I cant wait to see the Queen when she drives around to review the parade (I promise I wont move my head, just my eyes), and to see the big fly over. It really is going to be a day to remember for everybody involved, and worth the pain of the last two weeks.

Day 11 - 11th July 2008

The big day, and an early start for all. We had hash browns for breakfast, which we haven't had for the last 2 weeks, a treat for us all. I must say at this point a big thank you to the catering staff; the meals we very good, and although living in tents, and working very long days, they were always very cheerful.

We transited to Fairford in our No 2 working dress, with our No 1's hung up and ready to put on at the last minute. Once at Fairford I saw my husband and son coming through the gates. He was excited to see me on the bus and with lots of aircraft flying around doing mini displays, he was very happy!

The weather was nice which we were all happy about, not because we didn't want to get wet (we were use to that by now!), but it meant The Queen would be coming, and the parade would go ahead. Yippee!!

We all got dressed at 10am, and the buzz in the marquee was electric - everybody was excited and nervous, then we lined up. The Parade commander came around to give everybody a pep talk, and I had butterflies, then off we went.

Marching onto the parade square was fantastic, and I found my marker, and dressed onto it correctly, phew!!! Then a long wait, present arms, stand easy, etc. then The Queen arrived, then the typhoons flew over, that was the absolute highlight, and luckily the flew over so I could see them.

The Queen then inspected the parade, and she got onto the back of her Range Rover and drove around, and I must say, she looked lovely with her hat matching the trim of her coat, I was very impressed, and it is the first time I had ever seen The Queen, (or done a parade for her), so I was very proud.

The parade went really fast, I just managed to hold the rifle in the shoulder without my arm giving up, and my drill moves were not sloppy; but I did hit my hat a few times, so that ended up a bit wonky!

After The Queen had left, and all the spectators started to leave for dinner with her, the New Colours were marched off and it started to rain. As the standard party marched off the heavens opened - we continued to do our present arms, and as we marched off we had a standing ovation and loud claps and cheers, which was fantastic, and hilarious!

My son and husband had a brilliant day, and the fly over was fantastic. All in all, the last two weeks have been worth it and to parade for The Queen, has made me feel very proud to represent the RAF on its 90th birthday year. It is definitely a moment to tell the grandchildren about, Well roll on the next parade. I'm a dab hand at it now!