The recognition of a soldier’s achievements by a Battalion is one of the greatest rewards that a soldier can receive.  It is also a medium through which those being recognized are able to show their appreciation for the gratitude shown to them by their superiors and fellow soldiers. It is with this in mind that on Tue 13 Jul 2010 one month and two weeks into the island’s State of Emergency,  a few but valuable minutes  were taken from our busy operational mode to pay tribute to the men that through hard work ,dedication  and selflessness, met the grade that was necessary for their promotion in rank.

  The morning started with the standing down of all walking out and with all members of the Battalion being transported to the Twickhenam Park Gallery range. There, the men and women of the Second Battalion, though tired from all the operational and administrative duties that they had just completed, were still very  enthused about the parade that would mark the beginning of the proceedings.  The Battalion was formed up by COYs in the familiar shape of the familiar ‘three sides of a hollow square’ known by all soldiers from their earliest days of basic training.

 The battalion was formed up, with the familiar Maroon and Gold colors of the 2JR logo sited on a table in the center of the parade for all to see. The words “Battalion, Battalion-tion”, echoed as the RSM called the parade to attention signaling the arrival of the Commanding Officer. The compliments were given and the proceedings began.

As is customary, the ranks were given to the awardees by the Commanding Officer, each being called up by seniority to be adorned with their ranks. After receiving their ranks, each awardee marched off and blended in as one with the
Soldiers in their Company, with only the rank to differentiate them from their former selves. Among the awardees were five corporals promoted to the rank of sergeant and two Lance Corporals promoted to the rank of Corporals.

Following the presentations and applause, the Commanding Officer gave a few words of congratulations to those promoted and encouragement to those that aspired to be in the promoted.  He also had strong words for the newly promoted as he cautioned them that now that they are promoted they are no longer  the same person they were and as such they are expected to  live up to their new responsibilities and in so doing hold the colours of the Battalion and the Force at large in high regards.

The newly promoted were then met and congratulated by the officers and senior ranks of the Battalion with exchanges of words of advice and wisdom being imparted to each NCO.