Page 20 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

2 RIFLES
The 2 RIFLES Kohima (Rehab) Pl was formed to give the Riflemen the best possible chance to return to full medical deployability following injury and has been highlighted across 1 Div as an example for rehabili- tation best practice. This is achieved by understanding the nature of the injuries
and implementing bespoke and specialised individual programs from the Exercise Reha- bilitation Instructor (ERI). In addition, when not following their relevant rehabilitation programmes, the continuance of military training keeps the Riflemen current and competent to stave off skill fade, easing their eventual reintegration back into their parent Companies.
The platoon achieves successful outcomes by working closely with Med Centre, Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility (PCRF), Company Chains of Command, Senior Medical Officers, Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH), and Battalion HQ. This ensures all angles are covered and individual needs are fully met down to every Rifleman.
Kohima Platoon gives the Riflemen respon- sibility for their own recovery in a grown-up pro-active environment whilst also removing any outdated stigma from being injured. They
are surrounded by like-minded motivated Riflemen who all wish to get themselves back to the best condition available to them. Setting this tone within a rehabilitation platoon quickly snowballs and it becomes much simpler
to keep Riflemen motivated by targeting individual needs.
A typical day in Kohima starts with a full morning of graft with the ERI for Rehab at
the PCRF Gym, then the Swimming Pool, if on Reconditioning you will be building up to the Role Fitness Test with the Platoon dedicated Physical Training Instructor. Afternoons are then filled with “green” skills to keep everyone current; Fieldcraft Lessons, Battle Casualty Drills, Navigation, and other core skills maintaining and laying a strong foundation for eventual reintegration to Rifle Companies. To assist, we additionally bring in Subject Matter Experts from around the Battalion getting their specialised input on less generalist subjects, like support weapons. Kohima also hosts range weeks and practical navigation exercises, utilising locations local to the Battalion like Tollymore Forest. This provides opportunity for some time away from barracks and classroom-only activities.
Achieving balance in the Platoon is what
makes it work well, combining rehabilitation with green skills and neglecting neither. Having ring-fenced consistent and targeted physical training without interruption leads to a speedier and thorough recovery, greatly lessoning the chance of injury reoccurrence down the line. Riflemen leave the platoon and kick on with promotion courses and deployments, having gained physical and personal confidence. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the change in Riflemen within the Platoon.
One of the lads recently summed it up as “a chance to reload, re-cock and re-engage.”
Sjt Irwin
Members of 2 RIFLES Kohima Platoon are given time to slowly
Kohima Platoon host
One of
the lads recently summed
it up as
“a chance to reload, re-cock and re-engage”
practice and build up strength following injury.
Commander 51X to discuss their
ongoing rehabilitation and training within the Platoon.
Kohima Platoon is seen as an
20 RIFLES The Bugle
...all angles are covered and individual needs are fully met down to every Rifleman
example Rehabilitation Platoon
within 1 Div
MAKING THE MOST OF PHYSICAL
REHABILITATION