Who We Are

E (Rifles) Company are the only TA Infantry unit in the Shropshire area. We form part of the Mercian Regiment, but still retain our Rifles Bugle cap badge which continues the link of Shropshire with the Light Division.

We cntinue to wear our converted stringed bugle cap badge which is the heart of our Company and on which we base our ethos.

We recruit from the local area with Riflemen coming from Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Much Wenlock and Telford.
 
All ranks are collectively know as 'Riflemen', it is just the route you select in training that defines you.

 
Training

Weekly training on a Tuesday evening involves first aid, shooting, military skills, fitness and communications.

Weekend training is normally once a month with the remainder of the Regiment. This consists of gruelling field training, range work or even live firing tactical training ensuring that we train to a high standard, as close to real combat as possible, using overhead live fire and explosives.

We have annual regimental camps of two weeks, consisting of build up training then a final week-long field exercise which can be anything from simple tactics all the way up to our war fighting role using live ammunition.

Our annual training normally takes place in the UK, but the regiment and members of E Company have taken part in exercises in far off places, such as Slovakia, Florida, Canada, Belize and Cyprus. Our annual training for 2008 was in Kazakhstan.

We also have the training required to lead men, either as a Non-Commissioned Officer or as an Officer. This training is outside the Regiment, either at the prestigious Infantry Training Centre in Brecon or at the Royal Military Academy.

 
Our Role

We are the Patrols Company.

This means we provide the eyes and ears of the Regiment, conducting the specialist role of close reconnaissance, covert observation posts, route marking, patrolling and sharpshooting.

We carry out this role far forward of the Regiment, using specialist night sight and thermal imaging equipment.
  

Adventurous Training

Not all training in the Regiment is military based, Adventurous Training is a chance to experience exciting and challenging activities with other members of the company.

E Company have been at the forefront of many Adventurous Training exercises, including skiing, scuba diving, mountaineering and paragliding in many countries, for example Egypt, France, Belize and Cyprus to name but a few.

 
Interested In Joining?

If you want to know more or are interested in joining, give us a call or come along on a Tuesday evening 7.30 to 9.30pm

TA Centre
Bligny House
Copthorne Barracks
SHREWSBURY
SY3 8LZ

Telephone: 01743 262626
Email: 4merc-e-psao@mod.uk