Page 23 - Bugle Autumn 2023

A SECTION COMMANDER’S PERSPECTIVE
I took command of my section just as
Op CABRIT was getting underway with a pre-deployment training (PDT) package. Most of the lads had come straight off
the back of the battalion’s first rotation
of training members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to fight and survive in the war against Russia. PDT was a lengthy
and thorough series of exercises which allowed our junior Riflemen, who were very inexperienced at the beginning, to develop into their roles and become better soldiers. This was great to witness.
The last thing we did before going to Estonia was Ex TALLINN DAWN in Germany. This was a real test of endurance – living
and fighting in a Bavarian winter. We were deployed out on the ground for three weeks. The ground was horrendous; the large dense forests with snow as deep as three feet
made operating challenging. Manoeuvring
the Mastiffs was especially difficult when you couldn’t see what was beneath the snow.
For many it was the first-time taking part in
a combined arms, live fire exercise. We had Challenger IIs with us from the Queen’s Royal Hussars. To see all the different units operating together was a real eye opener for everyone.
Camp life is relaxed, and it is better
than what was initially expected prior to deployment. There were horror stories and rumours from previous years of living in tents and being gated for the full tour but it’s not like that. The block is clean and modern and there are numerous shops on camp along with a
good number of gyms. When not working, the guys always find something to entertain themselves with.
As a section commander this is my first operational deployment in rank – having only promoted last year. It has been a
steep learning curve, not only to manage dismounted conventional tactics but then to learn and implement anti-tank doctrine and combine the two to form a kind of hybrid infantry role.
It has been good to see soldiers under
my command develop and mature. The team cohesion we have developed has also been brilliant. The platoon runs itself and the guys all know what they need to do without being told. That’s mainly down to the ethos we hold in our regiment, but it forms a major part of our platoon’s own identity; we pride ourselves on striving to be the best platoon in the battalion and certainly within the company. Cpl Kyle 1 Section, 1 Platoon, A Company
There were horror stories and rumours from previous years of living in tents and being gated for the full tour but it’s not like that
3 RIFLES
Leading from the front.
Cpl Taylor briefs his Riflemen
Stairway drills – Riflemen fight their way upstairs
RIFLES The Bugle 23