Page 45 - Bugle Autumn 2023

The 7 RIFLES team with 3rd Bn, 116th Inf BCT USNG
7 RIFLES
TRAINING WITH THE US NATIONAL GUARD
In June, six members of 7 RIFLES deployed to Virginia, USA, as part of the Military Reserve Exchange Programme (MREP):
After a busy period of pre-deployment administration, we finally departed Heathrow Airport to attend elements of the US Expert Infantryman’s Course at Fort Barfoot in Virginia. The training was hosted by 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The course was two weeks long and saw members of 7 RIFLES integrate with their American counterparts. The course was arduous, and a good level of fitness was required.
During week one we became familiar with a variety of US weapon systems including the M4 carbine, M249 machine gun, and the M500 shotgun. We completed all the training objectives for each weapon, scoring highly on each. We also had the opportunity to use the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), the US version of the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT) which tested us on various
marksmanship scenarios. The culmination
of week one was their infantry fitness test, which is effectively a shorter but much faster- paced version of our RFT.
Week two saw us completing the training objectives for the M240B machine gun, and
a separate ‘fire support’ serial/competition, which utilised a tripod, firing several thousand rounds. We gained experience operating
in the field with the US National Guard and how they would approach different contact scenarios. The final event was an 18-mile speed march carrying 15 kg, I managed to complete the test in 4hrs and 22 mins - it was very challenging, but incredibly rewarding.
We then had some well-earned R&R in Washington DC to experience the culture of the capital city. We toured a few of the major museums and key sites before heading to the airport. We returned to the United Kingdom having had an excellent experience while developing our skills and understanding
of interoperability with our NATO partners.
MREP started in 1985 as an officer- only exercise
I would highly recommend the MREP programme to any other Reservist. It is a challenging, but extremely rewarding exercise.
MREP started in 1985 as an officer-only exercise called the UK/US Reserve Forces Exchange Programme. It was formalised
by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK MOD and US DOD in 1989 and amended in 2008 to include Warrant Officers and NCOs. The MREP FAQs page on Defence Connect is a good source for more information.
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