Page 49 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

(L to R) Rfn Carter (5 Rifles), Rfn Marshall (2 Rifles),
ITC
RIFLES Training Company ITC
With training commencing again at ITC
and the Coy at full capacity the Permanent Staff (PS) are working exceptionally hard delivering world class training. The basic phase has been condensed from 12 to 11 weeks which puts additional pressure on the Training Teams (TTs), working additional weekends conducting training and activities to support the recruits who are confined to camp for the full 11 weeks.
Since the last update we have seen the departure of Capt Beau Turner (2IC), replaced by Capt (Stuart) Lansdowne (3 Rifles) who has proven to be quiet the IT consultant, helping to bring the Coy into the 21st Century. The Coy Trg Officer, Capt George Bayless (5 Rifles) continues to provide course delivery and overwatch while providing challenging training serials for the Plns and not forgetting WO2 Mark Calvert (5 Rifles), whose Brecon background has been invaluable to mentoring and educating the S/JNCOs.
Throughout I have been extremely impressed with the dedication, professionalism
and commitment shown by all the PS who are wholly committed to the welfare needs and training requirements of the recruits at the expense of their own and family’s needs. The Regiment should be eternally grateful for the commitment of all Riflemen at ITC during these extremely difficult times, who are working exceptionally long hours to ensure the Battal- ions continue to receive high quality Riflemen. Swift and Bold!
Maj N Lindley (Officer Commanding)
Rfn Hamson (2 Rifles), Rfn Smith (2 Rifles),
Rfn Moied (1 Rifles), Rfn Locke (1 Rifles),
Rfn Field-Simpson (1 Rifles)
I have been extremely impressed with the dedication shown
LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO TRAINING
After been posted to ITC Catterick for the first time since I passed out myself in 2004, I cannot believe how much has changed. There are a variety of new facilities and equipment available to the recruits, all of which significantly improves their training and helps with welfare.
Working as a CQMS department during the COVID-19 outbreak has proved challenging and demanding and at full capacity we administer up to 380+ Recruits and 62 Permanent Staff (PS). Balancing the constant churn of recruits in training is taxing at the best of times, and despite the additional restrictions in place
we have still been able to ensure recruits are logistically supported while maintaining a safe working environment.
The G4 chain has been utilised rigorously to ensure weapons, personnel and equipment and facilities are closely monitored and sanitised so they are available for use again as soon as physically possible. This takes a great deal of foresight and oversight from every indi- vidual in the G4 team, Cpl Bridge (2 Rifles), Cpl Lalakai (5 Rifles) and Rfn McBrinn and Bates (1 Rifles) and Nelson (5 Rifles) all have to be on top of their game to minimise the possibility of a COVID outbreak.
It’s a small team delivering big results while providing logistical support to 8 Platoons in Trg as well as facilitating PS and routine business at ITC.
CSjt G Bell (RIFLES Coy CQMS)
CQMS Team – Cpl Bridge,
Rfn Nelson, CSjt Bell
Bugle Course Overview
Unusual times at the Army School of Ceremonial (ASC) has seen courses loaded to 50%. Despite this we soldier on extremely well and our Rfn continue to excel in the Class 3 Bugle test and ceremonial aspects covering the fundamentals of bugling and drill.
The assessment was a significant turning point for the students, with many realising that drill is not as difficult to master as they initially thought. On arrival their fitness levels were assessed and found to be wanting, but after 10 weeks of doing two PTI lad sessions and their own fitness they are going from strength- to-strength with most of the Riflemen being at the front when competing with the line regiment soldiers during best effort TABs, Battle PT and the steeplechase.
All in all, we are developing and producing high calibre Buglers and are already looking forward to the arrival of the next aspiring batch. During this course we have said goodbye to Cpl Koen (1 Rifles) who has been a great role model during the 2 years he has been with us. His replacement, Cpl Streetin (5 Rifles) has already picked up the mantle hoping to improve on the legacy left by Cpl Koen. Until the Last Post.
BMaj K Forrester (Bugle Major Army School of Ceremonial)
RIFLES The Bugle 49
The Shepherd’s Team
It has been a busy year for The Rifles Shepherd team, having seen an increase in recruits arriving at ITC and our remit and responsibilities extended to incorporate AFC(H).
With the extra responsibility came extra manpower with the team uplifted from three to five Shepherds with the arrival of LCpl Dolman and Rfn Scott (3 Rifles). Both have hit the ground running with a gust and vigour for the role with Rfn Day (2 Rifles) showing them the ropes. The team provide a varied array of support to recruits in training from evening welfare visits to briefs on Bn’s forecast of events and wider Regimental business and history. This all helps the future Rfn make an informed decision
on their choice of Bn when the time comes
for them to complete their individual
posting preference.
With 200+ recruits at any one time within ITC and an additional 130+ recruits at AFC(H) for the Shepherd’s team to track and manage it is no simple feat. However, the team, in good RIFLES tradition have persisted and worked extremely hard to ensure Rfn in training now receive the same support as those who came before them.
CSjt J Evett (IC Shepherd’s Team)
Rfn Scott briefing a Sec (household)
of recruits to ANZIO Coy