Page 9 - Bugle Autumn 2023

1 RIFLES Ex SWIFT BATON
Between May and June, the Battalion conducted public order training in Caerwent, South Wales. This was to enable the Battalion to be at readiness, prior to our deployment to Cyprus before taking over as the Regional Standby Battalion.
Public order training is the closet type
of training we can use to replicate real life. Making use of CivPop, high on adrenaline but governed by self-discipline, enables high quality training and creates a convincingly realistic experience.
The Riflemen were put through their paces for a week learning new skills, allowing versatility within the companies to deal with a variety of scenarios that may occur on Operations. This was split into three phases: Phase one saw the Riflemen getting used to fighting with new equipment, making sure they had confidence with the armadillo public order kit and the resolve to withstand the petrol bomb inoculation.
Phase two developed the training into Platoon and Company level actions, learning words of command, formations, and how
to deal with crowd dynamics. This included the incorporation of RPAS which proved to be a pivotal piece of equipment that has revolutionised the way we deploy troops
on the ground in public order situations.
It enabled Company HQ to watch crowds building up, identify key players and assisted in identifying any weapons held
by participants; all before the Riflemen had stepped out of their patrol base.
Phase three was validation. The Mission Ready Training Centre team came to access the Battalion to ensure we were at the required standard to deploy. Nothing but strong praise was given for the Riflemen’s efforts, attitude, and ability to learn.
We received the highest possible pass mark, which was an excellent outcome for the Companies, and testament to the high standards to which the Battalion holds itself to.
WO2 Paul Simpson
CSM S Coy
We received
the highest possible pass mark, which was an excellent outcome for the Companies
Public order training is the closet type of training we can use to replicate real life
The baseline advance
Rfn in the heat of the moment
RIFLES The Bugle 9