Page 40 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

6 RIFLES
In October, D Company hosted the pre-screening training to select our nominations for promotion courses in 2021. Delivered in Plymouth at Millbay Army Reserve Centre, reservists travelled from all over the south west to take part in a chal- lenging series of training events organised by CSjt Daniels and ably supported by the best instructors that 6 RIFLES has to offer!
The first weekend had a conceptual feel and we are grateful for the guest instructors from Exeter UOTC who gave up their time to teach the combat estimate to the students. Whilst the PCBC students prepared their orders the SCBC students built models well into the early hours of Saturday night ahead of an orders demonstration on Sunday morning. PT featured strongly throughout the package and after an early rouse the students were put through their paces on a race on Plymouth Hoe, followed by hill reps at the Citadel!
With the battle courses unlikely to recommence until the spring and face-to-face training ceasing, the decision was made to continue the pre-course training on Zoom.
Seizing the initiative, Cpl Norwood delivered regular training sessions to the Riflemen who keenly bought into the concept with visible, impressive results. The online training really
40 RIFLES The Bugle
paid off with most remarking that the low-level, back-to-basics lessons had provided them with a much-needed refresher and that they were confident that they were now prepared for their courses. Each session began with a military knowledge test designed to build a solid foundation and to track progress.
Ever conscious of the Brecon ‘myth’
and keen to dispel any concerns about the difficulty of any element of the course, we delivered a bespoke combat estimate package with another opportunity for the Riflemen to practice orders extraction, writing and delivery for a recce patrol - that they would be able to execute later in the month.
Listen in for a set of recce patrol orders
The final weekend began on a very cold and snowy Dartmoor in early December. The weekend started with a Role Fitness Test followed by a 26km day and night naviga- tion - no mean feat on Dartmoor! Without relent, and with snow falling around them, the Riflemen produced another model during the early hours of Saturday morning before being assessed on their ability to deliver orders fatigued - and learn from each other’s mistakes! The weekend finished with a recce patrol and ambush, before standing down for Christmas.
The pre-training was a great success and we look forward to seeing the fruits of our labour later in the year when the Riflemen attend their various promotion courses - and with the last two returning with distinctions we remain hopeful that this batch will not let us down!
Sjt Delahunty
Permanent Staff Instructor
With snow falling around them, the Riflemen produced another model during the early hours
Members of the pre-screening
cadre racing down to the Citadel!
Musings of a guns commander
As a keen Reservist, determined to make myself as employable, useful, credible and competent as possible, I took the opportunity to attend the Machine Guns Platoon Commanders course (MGPCs). Having spent almost all of 2020 in green, initially mobilised for Op TURUS / BMATT, which turned into Op RESCRIPT, I felt I was lacking some time in the field – MGPCs did not disappoint and tested my ability to soldier in challenging conditions.
I started preparing for the course in
the usual way, plenty of strength and condi- tioning training, with multiple tabs on the Mendips. I mentally prepared by spending time with two of our knowledgeable PSIs, Sjt Delahunty and Cpl Williams; both are experienced machine gunners and possess an impressive knowledge which allowed them to get me up to speed on the GPMG
in the SF role.
The initial phase was spent in the classroom understanding sighting princi- ples and perfecting our trace work. There
were also multiple assessments including the ability to brief the CO, a hugely important skill set and 100% transferrable to my civilian role at DE&S.
After the theory aspects were covered and assessments passed we deployed into the field for the final 4 weeks of the course. This exercise was the first time that we had integrated with the section commanders who had been on their course since early September – this integration worked really well and for me was one of the best parts of the course. It also underlined quite how quickly soldiers build up camaraderie with relationships (and banter!) quickly being established.
The LFTT phase started with a trip to mid-Wales for the infamous ‘Fan Dance - with full gun kit! The three days of live firing were the highlight and the night shoots made you feel like you were in a Star Wars film!
The course was fast paced and a steep learning curve, which I only realised when
I learnt a huge amount
consolidating what we had done the previous week whilst recharging at weekends. I learnt a huge amount and thoroughly recommend reservists taking the opportunity to attend regular courses if their circumstances allow. My family definitely enjoy me explaining where I would sight a gunline whilst walking in the countryside – maybe not, but I enjoy telling them anyway!
Capt Dan Braycotton
Raapppid Fire! Capt Dan Braycotton completes
the Machine Gun Platoon Commanders course
BATTLE SCHOOL PREPARATION TRAINING