Nine soldiers from the Third Battalion alongside counterparts from the regular Force formed the platoon for the exercise in 1995. We were all very curious about what to expect from the Martinique experience. During the pre-course training there were occasional "pep talks" from troops, who had been on previous exercises. They tried to prepare us psychologically for the many challenges that awaited us.

The pre-course training was good, but the real experience was nothing like what we had imagined. The proof of the pudding is truly in the eating. The exercise was physically and mentally demanding. Had we approached it with anything less than our best effort, we would have been courting failure. The intensity of activities, coupled with the unusual and perhaps odd types of obstacles, made them appear almost impossible. Each time we were to under-take a new task there were the expressions of disbelief and the sighs of frustration.

The constant threat of "No Badge" from our French instructors and the occasional shout of "Get Mad" from the Platoon Sergeant, whenever there was any difficulty in negotiating an obstacle, only served to motivate us. We were all focused on being bestowed with the coveted French Commando badge.

The first obstacle stood out as the most horrible, it was the Mud Pool. This obstacle involved diving through a mud pool fully immersed and not surfacing until one reached the end of the pool. This was necessary because over the surface of the pool there was an obstacle of mesh and barbed wire supported by wood or bamboo beams. Whilst wiggling one’s way through the mud with backpacks and rifles, the weapons would often get stuck. Too much time could not be spent attempting to free them, and they could not be left behind. At the same time our "God given air tanks" were fast being depleted. We were simply running out of breath and risked a horrible death by suffocation in mud. It seemed at the end of it all that a degree of insanity was required to successfully complete the course. Somehow we all survived.

An outstanding and celebrated achievement was attained when Cpl J Bailey of the Third Battalion 3JR (NR) was noted to be the oldest soldier ever to successfully complete the course. He celebrated his 42nd birthday on the exercise and was duly rewarded with a cake by the French instructors as a mark of respect.

With the increasing responsibilities facing the Jamaica Defence Force it is imperative that all our soldiers are brought to the standard necessary to undertake these duties, regardless of the unit they are from. The Third Battalion The Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve) has its role to play, and as such endeavours to keep abreast with our counterparts in the Regular Force.