This is a diary from Captain James. The chapters go with each series and some parts of the episodes which I would have liked to have happened for the cameras to film.
Before we set off from Brize, I had a little run in with our new medic Dawes. The sections were meant to be lining up for a photograph when I had arrived they were all in groups speaking to each other. "How long does it take for you massive cockwombles to get ready for a bloody photograph?" That's when I heard the little chuckle from our new medic. Without hesitating I asked what she was laughing at, to then she answered "Cockwombles Sir." From that point I knew she was going to be a handful.
How dare she answer back a captain! On the plain to camp Bastian, I had a look through her file, most of the comments from other officers read 'Very driven towards goals', 'mouthy but excellent at her job.' There were more but I decided it was best to put the folder down and relax. Why the hell had I been sent someone who had never had experience at the front line with such a young group of soldiers? This just puts more pressure on my job!
So we landed at Bastian and the lads were shown their quarters. I went in to give them instruction on a PT session at 0500 hours and noticed out little medic may have become confused as to where her quarters are! I may have embarrassed her a little by calling her a Doris, but Dawes needs to learn her place and needs knocking down a few pegs if she wants to fit in with 2 section.
Later today, I met up with Major Beck for some dinner. He went to give me a briefing on the FOB (forward operating base) and what our mission would be when we fly out of bastion. We would be supporting the ANA in protecting a small village and also a mountain CP to patrol for the Taliban.
I'm not one for sleeping for hours on end so writing a diary will help to relax. I'm currently sat in my bed writing with London Grammer playing on the laptop with a cup of rosabya coffee.
All the lads were gathered waiting for Dawes –there's a surprise- outside the women's quarters. Out she comes wearing her PT kit, her little shorts and a t-shirt. I did for a moment look and think WOW! Her legs were thin but very well-toned. Did I forget to mention it was in full kit? I did then make a comment about her not wearing her stilettos which made the lads laugh. I suppose that distracted me from what I had just seen with Dawes.
We are now in the FOB and 2 section had done 2 patrols. The first went well with having no trouble from insurgents. After our first patrol we had a little brief discussion about how well it had gone. Dawes stuck around after I had sent everyone off for lunch. "you alright Dawes?" "yes boss, just waiting for the rug to die down." She answered but I could see there was more to it. She went on to say she was worried about Smurf and how he was with an ANA bloke, I then explained that it is no different most people have this when arriving and also pointed out Smurf is an excellent solider.
So I send out 2 section with Kinders in charge of the section, they are only patrolling the compound and searching for any IEDS with the vallon. When we heard 3 shots fired above their heads and into the compound wall. I made a run up to the watch tower whilst applying my helmet. 2 section were in a ditch looking for the insurgent. Even I could not see where these shots had come from! Qauseem then heard through on the radio they were targeting Private Dawes. I looked down and could see her shaking after hearing this through the radio! She looked vulnerable, "get everyone back in the compound NOW!" One by one they made their way back into the compound. Then Smurf alerted us he saw movement in the shed opposite them and opened fire. I still did not know where Smurf was looking and had a feeling Dawes was right about Smurf.
With everyone back in the FOB, I was angry at how they thought it was like Call if Duty from the PlayStation a few words were said then asked to see the medic.
"I need you too look at my blisters" as I was taking my socks off,
"Yes Sir." She took hold of my foot and examined it, "with respect Sir, they stink."
I went on to say Smurf was not in the right frame of mind and that she was correct.
"He just saved me arse in that ditch, he's going through a tough time." She tried to make excuses, regretting what she had told me earlier.
I changed the subject, saying I'm going to need some new boots in which she replied with a comment sounding sarcastic, "they just need wearing in, I'll dress the blisters so you can get back to running us around the compound Sir." Looking at her whilst she was dressing my smelly feet I could see how beautiful she was. I asked her about her life back at home and her upbringing. She had said that her parents live in a council house with many brothers and sisters and that she didn't have a strong relationship with her father.
I left the Med centre looking for Smurf and discussed about him calming down or would be sent home straight away. After that he went storming out.
We left for the mountain CP this morning and I could see Dawes was not speaking to the other lads. She had explained she had been sent to Coventry for grassing Smurf in. I could tell she had been crying, the bags under her eyes where she hadn't slept last night and with how quiet she was. With only knowing her for a couple of weeks even I know it isn't like Dawes.
Smurf has been shot, I had to send Dawes down to treat him but even that killed me to do so. An IED had gone off and I had thought I had lost her she was unconscious as her fragile body was frown in the air. "DAWES DAWES CAN YOU HERE ME?" The rest of the section were shouting too as her body lay on the ground. She finally woke up and treated Smurf. The MERT had been called in to take Smurf up on the winch and I ordered Molly to stay on the ground pointing out a sniper could pop out any minute. Like the usual Dawes she ignored orders and went up on the winch.
"Yes Dawesy!" coming through the radio.
"What she just did there was stupid beyond belief, she disobeyed orders and put her life in danger!" I may have shouted this but even I wanted to give a little cheer. She has defiantly earned respect from me and without a doubt from the rest of the section.
Few hours later Dawes comes walking through the gates and I wait to greet her. I explained what he had done was stupid but also very impressive. She went to the sleeping quarters when all I heard was "She's one of the lads, she's one of the lads, Molly Dawesy she's one of the lads."
Later that evening I was Dangles and brains talking to Dawes on the stage, they were talking and laughing but I began to feel a little jealous. She looked up and noticed I was watching her and smiled. I have no idea what face I gave back but her smile soon disappeared.
Why am I getting jealous, I am her CO she is just a regular medic just here to do her job.