Sapper Ed Joseph
Sapper Ed Joseph is an Army Reserve soldier from 131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers (131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE), embarking on the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC) at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone. He has two weeks in which to complete the gruelling course that, if successfully completed, will culminate in him earning the coveted green beret.
- Commando training: Jungle Warfare in Belize 12 May, 2015 - In his latest blog, Sapper Eddie Joseph describes his experience of jungle warfare alongside 45 Commando: "As we awoke to our first morning in the jungle, the heat and humidity hit us hard. We had been warned about it but nothing quite prepares you. Yes there were tropical bird singing in the trees but there were also a host of villainous insects that saw us as a source of food."
- Desert soldiering: Exercise Jebel Dagger in Jordan 9 December, 2014 - In his latest blog, Sapper Eddie Joseph describes his experience of desert soldiering alongside 40 Commando Royal Marines: “We were taught how to make improvised stretchers like the clove hitch or roscoe, so that we can evacuate casualties from remote areas. At night I could hear gunfire as 40 Commando practiced live firing in the distance. I remember sitting on a rocky outcrop waiting to abseil down the cliff, watching tracers and flares going off across the desert, lighting up the sky like fireworks.”
Commando training: Cold Weather Warfare in Norway 30 April, 2014 - Sapper Ed Joseph is an Army Reserve soldier from 131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers (131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE). Having successfully completed the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC), culminating in earning the coveted green beret, we follow him through his subsequent training. An Arctic adventure Since being awarded my green beret, a whole new world … Continue reading Commando training: Cold Weather Warfare in Norway- Commando training: Green beret quest ends with success 17 March, 2014 - The biggest failure you can have on the course is to simply give up. The key to success is maintaining self-belief, remaining steadfast, and being prepared to go beyond the limit that ordinary people set themselves.
- Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt6 13 March, 2014 - After the customary handshakes and back patting we moved to the area where our green lids were to be presented. Forming up in three ranks, we were introduced to the Brigade Commander (BC) who would present us with our berets. As the BC drew closer to me, I could feel the beginning of an ear0-to-ear smile developing. When he eventually made it to my position I was beaming with pride and the full realisation of my achievement dawned; I was now a Commando in the Royal Engineers.
- Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt5 10 March, 2014 - Monday was the Nine Miler Pass Out. If I’m honest I was buzzing so much from passing the endurance, the nine-miler seemed like a breeze. The highlight for me was being drummed back into camp by the Royal Marines Band. You hear people talking about the hairs on their neck standing up, well this is truly one of those moments.
- Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt4 7 March, 2014 - Sapper Ed Joseph is an Army Reserve soldier from 131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers (131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE), embarking on the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC) at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone. He has two weeks in which to complete the gruelling course that, if successfully completed, will culminate in him … Continue reading Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt4
- Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt3 5 March, 2014 - In complete silence we inched our way up to the final set of stairs ready to begin the assault. Stacked up, all thoughts of the exhaustion and cold of being in the field had dissipated and we waited in the darkness like fighting dogs waiting to strike. The anticipation of the battle to come was strangely exciting and just as the sun began to rise, the attack was initiated
- Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt2 1 March, 2014 - Sapper Ed Joseph is an Army Reserve soldier from 131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers (131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE), embarking on the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC) at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone. He has two weeks in which to complete the gruelling course that, if successfully completed, will culminate in him … Continue reading Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt2
- Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt1 27 February, 2014 - Sapper Ed Joseph is an Army Reserve soldier from 131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers (131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE), embarking on the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC) at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone. He has two weeks in which to complete the gruelling course that, if successfully completed, will culminate in him … Continue reading Commando training: Quest for the green beret – Pt1
British Army Blog 
Very professional looking soldier, smartly turned out and handsome to boot. He is a wonderful example of how a soldier should look and he presents 131 in a very good light. Gathering by the number of female compliments in the comments section after his photo, I think he will have encouraged a few females to join also.
LikeLike
What an inspirational piece! You get a feel for how hard it is to go through the rigours of becoming a Commando. Someone commented on the FB page that they would like to hear a little more about his future career and what he does in the Army. I think this is an excellent idea, the Army needs to give us some characters to follow so we can get an idea of what the modern army does but also so that people can form a connection. I for one would like to know what he does next, assuming that chronicling it wouldn’t contravene opsec, but I’m sure you have people who can go over any future submissions to check such things.
LikeLike
I have to admit that the Exercise phase of the TA Commando Course seems to be far more interesting than it was when I did the course 31 years ago.
LikeLike