Page 43 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

7 RIFLES
REAR OPERATIONS
Throughout this busy and uncertain
time, with the battalion committed to operations at home and abroad, there has never been a time when such reliance has been placed upon the Rear Operations Group (ROG), a small band of professional, committed, hardworking, proactive, and unsung Riflemen that kept the home fires burning and picked up the significant workload usually spread amongst a team three times the normal size.
The ROG found itself in the unusual position of supporting two separate live operations. Fortunately, intra unit and indi- vidual communications remained effective so this was achieved. Every link in the chain was tested but learnt quickly from the expe- rience in order to remain resilient. In July, face-to-face training resumed with a range package in Bulford followed by Operations in Built Up Areas (OBUA) on Salisbury Plain. In the following articles you will read what a
motivated Army Reserve unit can achieve when fully manned and with ambitious Riflemen, and support arms soldiers, in key appointments. At the time of writing we have a further six Officers and SNCOs mobilised on Project TRANSFORM (focussing on behavioural step change) and a further four Riflemen embedded within the 5 RIFLES Battlegroup on Op CABRIT 07.
Majs Rich Hunt & Jolyon English
Read what a motivated Army Reserve unit can achieve
In true RIFLES fashion we embraced the chance to train, holding a PJNCO Cadre in the Buffer Zone amidst the ruins of Nicosia International Airport during our time on
Op TOSCA. The cadre had to be designed
to consider the fact that the Riflemen and Fusiliers were on continuous notice to move for operational tasks and was therefore conducted within the Buffer Zone (BZ)
close to the UN HQ. After convincing our OPCOM UN 2* HQ that we could achieve our operational commitment, the cadre formed up on the morning of 15 August 2020 with
32 soldiers from 7 RIFLES and 5 FUSILIERS. Eager with a touch of apprehension everyone was ready to raise their sights and set about qualifying to become a JNCO in the Army Reserve.
The cadre ran at a high tempo, since the regular cadres have 6 weeks, but the AR version is only 2. It was safe to say that the training program was very busy. With the Riflemen and Fusiliers already established
on operations and 4 1⁄2 months into the
tour, most found it a welcome change to
the operational routine, albeit a challenging and demanding one that tested each of the candidates fully. The daytime heat in Cyprus in August often exceeds 35 degrees, so much of the high-risk activity was scheduled to take place at or before dawn or well after dusk; this meant for long arduous days covering
all the essential skills and competencies required of an Infantry Section 2IC.
The JNCO candidates were taught and tested in navigation by day and night, Command and Leadership, section admin- istration and low-level tactics including patrolling skills and offensive action – all vital to their future roles and part of the learning diet. Most were up to the challenge, but some decided that it was too much at this point
in their AR careers. Rarely is anything worth having easy to come by.
The most notable part of the cadre was the final attack, wherein they formed a platoon and patrolled throughout the night to RV with a recce guide, who had established a forming
7 RIFLES Op TOSCA PJNCO Cadre
up point for the ensuing deliberate offensive action. Many senior readers will remember this as a dawn attack. The enemy had established themselves in depth around the abandoned Nicosia Airport, which had seen its last flight land almost 50 years previously. After two hours of fighting through and with the last position cleared the stop signal was given and the course had culminated. Water and awards followed with the CO and RSM in attendance to congratulate those that had completed this unique and challenging first step on the promotion ladder.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the cadre and learned a huge amount; it was extremely difficult and intense - however very rewarding” FUS Young – Cadre Top student
The PJNCO was the toughest test yet in my reservist career. Late nights and early mornings, and all conducted in the Cyprus heat which offered a very different challenge. The Cadre has provided me with the leader-
Advance to Contact in the BZ, PJNCO Cadre 2020
It was extremely difficult & intense
ship tools required going forward”. LCpl Dinnie – Cadre Student
“The course was the most difficult thing I have done, hard work and dedication defi- nitely paid off” FUS McRae – Cadre Student CSjt Arnold, A Coy SPSI
Rfn Petros and Cottier conducting
a CASEVAC, PJNCO Cadre 2020
RIFLES The Bugle 43