Page 15 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

Section Level Training
Since returning from summer leave much of the Battalion found itself in the unusual position of having a large amount of undis- turbed time to really focus on the basics of light infantry soldiering – one of the GOC’s three focus areas.
Up to Christmas the focus was at the section level. Guided by clear parameters,
the companies were free to design their own training programs and for C Company the first serial was a week of patrol skills training in Caerwent, culminating in night section attacks. Night training has been greatly enhanced by two bits of impressive night vision technology; the first is called ARILLS and is a dual-pur- pose thermal imaging and infrared sight that attaches to the end of the existing weapon sight; the second is KESTREL a helmet-
mounted set of binocular night vision goggles, offering a vastly superior image to previous systems and enhanced depth perception.
The highlight for C Company was a two-week live firing camp in Castlemartin. Despite restrictions we managed to achieve some really high-quality live firing, culminating in a black fire team night attack. Whilst target identification and engagement using only night sights and lasers is very demanding, achieving this is testament to just how well equipped and trained are our Rfn. In addition to ranges we also focused on navigation with the highlight being Ex FAN DANCE, a 12-mile route, encompassing the highest features of the Brecon Beacons. The weather conditions were challenging throughout, with plenty of snow making it excellent infantry training!
1 RIFLES
In addition to ranges we also focused on navigation with the highlight being Ex FAN DANCE
RQMS(T) enjoying Pontins
LIVERPOOL COMMUNITY TESTING
B Company once again found themselves at the tip of the swab in the campaign against COVID-19 having earlier in the year been committed to testing across South Wales. With this experience we had a good understanding of what lay ahead in Liverpool.
In mid-November we deployed bound for Pontins, an idyllic seaside holiday destination nestled in the sand dunes overlooking
the Irish Sea, the dwindling stars on Trip Advisor should be taken as a rough guide.
B Company and eager members of Support Company were tasked with running two Asymptomatic Testing Sites (ATS) within the city working under the professional Kings Royal Hussars’ Battle Group.
The running of these sites brought with them early rises and long days, however all Riflemen pulled together to make the most of the task. With a rotation that allowed some down time B Coy turned their focus to setting personal best effort times on a 4-mile route along the sandy beaches in front of Pontins.
Although this may not be the operational deployment that was sold at the recruiting office it has brought B Coy closer together based on shared experiences, countless games of cards and red-top Nescafe. B
Coy now find themselves in a very strong position to move forward into the known and unknown challenges that 2021 may present.
RIFLES The Bugle 15
The Colonel-in-Chief
Visitors to 1 RIFLES
She then joined members of the battalion and their families for morning tea in the Memorial Garden
1 RIFLES has enjoyed a series of visits throughout the Summer and Autumn.
Our new Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, the Colonel Commandant, General Sir Patrick Sanders, the new GOC 1 (UK) Div, Major General Charlie Collins, and the new Comd 7 Bde, Brigadier Jasper de Quincey- Adams all visited. The Colonel-in-Chief met with Riflemen on the Rifleman’s Cadre, and presented the Best Student coin to Rfn Luke Kaminsky. She then joined members of the battalion and their families for morning tea in the Memorial Garden.
1 RIFLES hosted General Collins, a fellow Rifleman, soon after he had taken over as GOC 1 (UK) Div. General Collins presented a Civil Service Long Service Certificate to Miss Hayley Thairs, and a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal to Corporal Simon Goodman before briefing the Officers’ and Serjeants’ Messes on 1 (UK) Div’s role in future conflicts.
General Sanders visited the battalion during Ex CHOSEN MAN and relished the opportunity to engage with the Riflemen and JNCOs. He also presented the clasp to the Long Service
and Good Conduct Medal to Captain Steve Boyd, as well as a Commander Field Army Commendation to Captain Scott Edwards.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the superb range of activities undertaken by the Riflemen in 2020 has allowed them to show off their professionalism and adaptability to a wide audience.
1 RIFLES Bugle Competition 2020
September saw the annual Battalion Bugle competition to decide who would be ‘1 RIFLES Royal Colonel’s Bugler’. All buglers, less 2 deployed on Op TOSCA with 6 RIFLES competed. The competition was in three sections; a dress inspection, a drill inspection and the musical bugling performance.
This year we had an experienced judging panel of The Rifles Divisional Lt Col, The Rifles Adjutant, Rifles Training Team OC, the Senior Bugle Major as well as the CO and RSM. Each Bugler did an outstanding job of representing themselves and the platoon with the standard set extremely high. Maj Gen Copinger-Symes and Lt Col (Retd) Bonner presented the awards after a Bugle breakfast delivered by the Bugle Major.
1st Place
1 RIFLES Royal Col / CO’s Bugler Cpl Jacob Koen
2nd Place
1 RIFLES Adjt Bugler Cpl Edward McIntyre
3rd Place
1 RIFLES RSM’s Bugler LCpl Joshua Walton
THE RESULTS