Page 62 - Journal Compilation

12
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
In the aftermath of the End of Mission deployment on Op HERRICK 20, B Sqn returned to Dempsey Barracks in Sennelager with heads held high having completed a successful tour at short notice. As expected post tour, a Regimental rebalance was required and the New Year brought in a fresh ORBAT predicated on the more traditional Sqn laydown. Major Dom Staveley back from his jaunt in Bosnia assumed command, ably supported by Capt Duncan Wiggins as 2iC who oversaw the implementation of the new ORBAT and acted as the continuity man to ensure the Sqn was in the best position to face what would be a very busy year.
The Forecast of Events was an exciting prospect. 2015 would bring the running of a PNCO cadre, the conversion from Formation Reconnaissance to Light Cavalry and later in the year a Sqn (+) level deployment to British Army Training Unit Kenya as a dismounted Infantry Enemy Force for the 2 MERCIAN BG
B Squadron
deployment. All this neatly sitting astride a Regimental move from Germany to Swanton Morley. Naturally whilst this daunting calendar would have other organisations baulking at the prospect, we relished the opportunities this would bring eagerly anticipating each event and completing it in B Sqn fashion; at the front.
Prior to going into the detail of the PNCO cadre that the Regiment would conduct as Light Cavalry it is important to understand the context. Whilst QDG soldiers have reconnaissance in their blood and have consistently proved themselves over 12 years of campaigning to be very adept in the role, our new platform, the Jackal, and the Regiment’s place in the Adaptive force means that QDG soldiers should become even more accustomed to ghting on
rst time; our brethren in the new Lt Cav fraternity and the course set off apace. After a week of classroom instruction and challenging PT sessions the 29 students deployed as an Infantry Platoon onto the local training area in Sennelager. One week and over 25 gruelling Section attacks later, the battle hardened cadre was ready for the stretcher race back to Dempsey Barracks. Bacon sandwiches, a wash and an end of course exam brought the cadre to a close with 22 of the original 29 Tprs completing it and cordially inspected and congratulated by the Commanding Of cer on parade. Special congratulations went to B Sqn’s own Tpr Platt who nished top of the course and was rewarded later in the year with a well-deserved promotion to LCpl.
With the PNCO cadre behind us the Sqn looked to the progress the rest of the Regiment was making towards the conversion to Light Cavalry. Like the other Sqns the
men of B were excited at the prospect of the new platform. Many had worked on Jackal before during deployments to Afghanistan and were effusive in their praise of this reliable and capable vehicle that crucially (after 15 years on CVR(T)
their feet. As a
result the cadre
was based on
d i s m o u n t e d
close combat.
As always the
intent was to put
aspiring JNCOs
through their
paces via the medium of a challenging exercise. As expected the majority of participants did not disappoint, standing up and demonstrating their ability as young leaders with great potential. We welcomed Scots DG soldiers for the
WiththePNCOcadrebehindus theSqnlookedtotheprogress
the rest of the Regiment was making...
B Sqn SHQ were happy with cam and concealment