FROM THE 2IC & PMC

What The 2IC Actually Does

Now well into my third year as 2IC and second as PMC, I have made a few notes for future reference; my own, even if for no-one else.

• The 2IC actually has work to do; usually the work that the CO does not want to do.

• Everyone knows what is going on, (especially if it is going wrong) before the 2IC, but the 2IC usually has to sort the problem out.

• If there is a problem, the CO is contacted; if there is a really big problem, the 2IC is contacted, with the knowledge that he will contact the CO.

• If the problem has escalated beyond recognition or repair, the 2IC is contacted, with either the complementary suggestion that he is the only one who can speak to the CO or a mumbled argument related to the chain of command.

• If there is time to write an order, anyone can write it; if not, the 2IC is "the only one who can do it".

• If all else fails, tell a joke; if that does not work or you cannot think of one, talk about Montgomery, or at least try to.

With reference to the job as PMC there is one simple rule - the PMC knows everything about mess protocol. If anyone disagrees, he/she may find him/herself reprimanded or fined.

Something else I have learned is that the job of 2IC and PMC is really not bad, or at least not as bad as I was led to believe it would be.

2003/2004 - A Good Foundational Year

The Regiment has grown steadily over  the past year, both in terms of numbers and scope of activities. Both companies are operating well, as is the pers office and log effectiveness has managed to take a giant leap with the appointment of Maj Willy Millar as Q.M. and the involvement of WOII Pitcher and S/sgt Erasmus.

As a result, most of my focus has been on the Messes.

The least taxing task and one of the most enjoyable, I have had to perform over the past year is attend Sergeants Mess meetings. The procedures, protocols and atmosphere can serve as an example to any other unit, both reserve and regular.

A more taxing, yet as enjoyable, task has been the work in the Officers Mess. One retired PMC told me that "getting officers" to work in the Mess is "impossible". In my experience the opposite is true. The Officers Mess, as an organisation within the Regiment, is stronger now than it's ever been, at least in my experience.

The Officers Mess' new meeting format, on the second Tuesday, and including dinner, has significantly improved meeting attendance, as well as mess productivity.

With work comes focus and a fact clear to all officers is that the Officers Mess' physical facilities are in dire need of maintenance and refurbishment.

This situation is the result of both bad maintenance to the outer castle walls, as well as a decade's wear and tear. Officers'

kit is also in very short supply. As a result, a number of functions have been held with the aim of raising funds and officers have donated a considerable amount of money, time and energy into restoring the Mess.

The Mess hosted Metropolitan's employee benefits clients during the 2003 North Sea Jazz Festival and has developed an ongoing relationship with Whiskies of the World, a Pernod - Richard SA division, in promoting the Whisky, things Scottish and, now also, the Cape Town Highlanders. The Mess also provided a VIP venue for last year's Cape Tattoo.

As a result of officer input, the Mess has been able to acquire a sword rack, resulting in all swords being returned to the Mess, meaning that swords are not only safer but also available for use when needed. The Mess has also refurbished the Stephan Room and bar area, in the process not only making the Mess look more presentable but also making more space available for items of historical value.

The Mess' refurbishment has also highlighted a number of gaps, and challenges for retired officers and honorary members.

Firstly, there are gaps in the sequence of Mess photographs, yet there are a number of unframed or damaged photographs in storage. These photographs have been restored and will be put up in the Mess.

Secondly, the regiment has a number of claymores, mostly donated before and during the 1960s, and a few SANDF sabres. The Regiment, however, does not have enough swords to put the existing cadre of officers on parade. A challenge for retired officers and honorary members could be to entrust family swords to the Regiment or to fund the purchase of new claymores. We have, by the way, sourced a producer of good quality claymores.

The Mess has also hosted a number of interesting people over the past year. These include the Kopanong club, an association of young black professionals, a group of accountants from the Department of Justice and Mr Patrick Taylor on two occasions.

It was particularly enjoyable to combine the March Mess meeting, which was a combined mess officers/sergeants mess meeting, with a Visit from Lt Colonel Ian Sargeant, the CO of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. Col Sargeant, who has family in Cape Town, brought greetings from his regiment.

He also presented an engraved decanter to the Regiment and a copy of his regiment's history to each of the messes. Col Sargeant also delivered a short summary of his regiment's current activities, which sounds very similar to ours. The 48th also have budgetary constraints, employer problems and demands to perform as well as regular forces, and they have to fund their own traditional kit. They currently have small groups of their regiment in a number of peacekeeping operations.

The Mess has also grown over the past year. Sadly we lost Maj Roger Sliney, who emigrated to Australia. However, two sergeants were promoted to candidate officer and three officers rejoined the Regiment. The candidate officers are CO Christian Evans and CO John Dovey, both of whom were nominated by Maj Charles de Cruz. The officers who rejoined the Regiment are Maj Willy Millar, as already mentioned as Q.M., Captains Grant Blackshaw and Craig Duncan. As I write this insert, we are focussed on a few big projects, the birthday celebrations are well under way and will be over by the time this copy of the Tourri is printed. The birthday celebrations will be (has been if you are reading this insert) combined with the basic training passing out parade; the band is gearing up to visit Edinburgh, AGAIN. We will be putting those who passed basics through subject training and offering basic training to a new group of recruits this year. We are to be involved the reopening of Parliament, AGAIN, in May, and in traditional uniform, AGAIN. A number of people will be sent on promotion courses and the Tattoo later this year will be even bigger and better than last year.

With a basic training course being offered, it would be nice if some retired members convinced their children or grandchildren to volunteer; the Regiment looks forward to training another generation of highlanders.

Major AJ van der Bijl