Page 6 - The Light Blue Volunteer Journal 2021

anything they had done before and had the chance to practise the skills from the lessons they had completed earlier. All four syndicates were able to keep their fires burning throughout the night and cook up a feast of venison, trout and potatoes. While hopefully none of the skills learnt on this training will ever be needed for an actual survival situation the techniques and lessons taught during this period will no doubt stick with the OCdts for the rest of their lives.
We then rolled straight from the SERE exercise into the FTX, deploying onto the Littlebredy estate in two platoons. All OCdts valued the chance to put
into practice what they had learnt up to this point with TES sensors creating an added level of difficulty for the duration of the exercise. For some of the new
OCdts this was the first exercise they had taken part in but adapted to the challenge performed well during a series of ambushes and recce patrols. The exercise culminated in a dawn attack against an enemy dug into a series
of woodblocks. Even with a very low experience level across the platoons due to COVID and the added difficulty of taking casualties due to the TES kit the OCdts were able to defeat the enemy positions and move on to a well-earned champagne breakfast at the Littlebredy Cricket Club. The FTX as always proved challenging and provided a huge number of learning points for all from the platoon commanders to individual rifleman.
The last part of the ADX was an adventurous training package. This provided opportunities for climbing,
abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing
and trekking in a number of locations across the Dorset coastline. Highlights included visiting Portland and enjoying some impressive views while abseiling on the coastal cliffs and a chance to visit the famous Durdle Door and enjoy ice cream in Lulworth Cove. For many newer OCdts this whistle stop tour of some of the possible activities the army provides via adventurous training inspired them
to sign up for trips later in the summer to gain some foundation level qualifications. Overall the AT package was a fantastic way to wrap up the ADX, with thanks to the staff for providing such a diverse and enjoyable ADX.
SUO Rogers
6 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER