Page 50 - Bugle Autumn 2023

8 RIFLES
TRAINING FUTURE
LEADERS
In March, the Battalion ran a Reserve Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (PJNCO) Cadre, which was designed to identify and develop potential future leaders. During the first week the aim was to develop the potential NCOs’ skills in areas such as day and night navigation exercises, battle PT, Skill at Arms training, patrol report, orders, and orders extraction lessons. The second week was far more intense, as the Riflemen deployed on a 6-day exercise
to Leek Training Area. The Exercise was designed to put the Riflemen through their paces and to test their skills in various scenarios and involved conducting Section Attacks and Recces, Platoon Deliberate Attacks, Advance to Contacts, and Urban Defence.
Throughout the Exercise, the Riflemen also undertook Section Second in Command and Section Commander appointments. Rfn Kynerston took on a Platoon Commander appointment, and Rfn Parker took on a Platoon Serjeant appointment during the Platoon Urban Defence stage. This saw the Riflemen defend a farm complex for 12 hours, while being constantly probed and attacked. The pinnacle of the Exercise was the Platoon Air Assault Attack onto Rileys Barn, which saw 2 chinooks, provide the platoon with a preliminary move to insert them onto the deliberate attack.
The Riflemen displayed a great attitude throughout the whole cadre, and their hard work paid off. The cadre comprised of Riflemen from all RIFLES Reserve Battalions, as well as two Marines from the Turks
and Caicos Islands. Rfn Kynerston from E Company 8 RIFLES won the Top Student
award, which recognised his outstanding performance and leadership skills. Rfn Monk, also from E Company, won the Instructor’s Choice award, which recognised his dedication and commitment during the cadre. Lastly, Rfn Parker from D Company
8 RIFLES took the Rifleman’s Chosen Man award, recognising his excellent performance as noted by their peers. It is essential to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the instructors who ran the PJNCO
Cadre whose expertise and guidance were instrumental in ensuring that the cadre ran
The Riflemen displayed a great attitude throughout the whole cadre, and their hard work paid off
smoothly and that the Riflemen received the necessary training and experience.
The Cadre was a great success providing the Riflemen with the necessary skills and experience to take on leadership roles in
the future. The hard work and dedication displayed throughout was commendable, and the awards were well-deserved.
2Lt Piers Jennings, E Company 8 RIFLES
50 RIFLES The Bugle