Page 79 - Bugle Autumn 2023

MORE STORIES
With a lucky gap in training at ITC, I managed to deploy on the Low Intensity Conflict Operations course based out of the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, North East India. The 9-week course is based along the lines of the UK JWIC (Jungle Warfare Instructor’s Course), with a counter insurgency flavour and consisted of a teaching phase followed by several exercises exploring different themes.
PT made up a significant element of the course, with the focus being several tests conducted throughout. Executed in a slightly different manner to a British course, there is something to be said for the bonds created between the international students and the Indian officers through shared strife on PT. The exercises chiefly consisted of jungle patrolling and Company level tactical actions; it was interesting to see how other nations conduct sub-unit operations and how well the Indian Army improvises without the correct equipment for the task at hand.
The course attracted a broad mix of other countries including South Korea, Jamaica, Kenya and Botswana and all of whom,
including myself found being the ‘international student’ a humbling experience. For me this confirmed the respect we should all have for anyone who attends a British course without English as their first language.
The subtle difference and detail required to make command decisions at any level, is easily lost through the language barrier and we should all aim to be more patient with our international partners, even when time is of the essence. In summary, I would encourage anyone from across the regiment to apply for an international course, be it India or across the world, to broaden both their experience and perspective and make them a more effective operator.
Capt Henry Nunney
it was interesting to see how other nations conduct sub-unit operations
RIFLES The Bugle 79
COUNTER INSURGENCY AND JUNGLE WARFARE SCHOOL – INDIA