Page 24 - LBV 2024

1 Rifles Battalion
Upon arrival at RAF Akriotiri, the first thing JUO Fordham and I experienced was the blistering heat and humidity of Cyprus in high summer, which dictated the tone of our six-day visit to the 1st Battalion of the Rifles. We’d left the comfortable climate of the UK behind to join the regional standby battalion for a week integrated as pre-RMAS potential officers.
Our visit couldn’t have been
more aptly timed, as the battalion
was commemorating its regimental anniversary, Salamanca Day, and welcomed us into the fold with the calm and jovial professionalism, a hallmark of its riflemen. Thrown straight into the thick of it all, we joined A Coy and channelled our inner Maverick and Goose to help secure the top spot in the intercompany volleyball. Our week continued with similar intensity, the 6am PT sessions and combat serials with a variety of support Coy weapon groups allowed us to get a real flavour of the role and the specialities of which they provide. Our visit wasn’t confined to Alexander barracks, and we got the unique opportunity to go on a
UN boundary tour with the SBA Police and develop a deeper understanding of the political strains Cyprus is under, and how British sovereignty plays a part in the island future.
While intense throughout the day, the location allowed for some top notch RnR. The evenings were filled with beach excursions on paddleboards (facilitated through the Army Watersports Centre) and mess cricket, the POs beating
the resident subalterns with a total of 7 wickets taken between the two Cambridge tourists.
Both Fordham and I would like to extend our thanks to all the ranks of
the 1st Battalion, who made us feel so welcome, and to particularly the officers mess livers-in, who put up with our pestering and questions for six days. Additionally, to the CUOTC staff and Lt Col Simon Gray of Rifles HQ for pulling it all together behind the scenes.
OCdt Nevin
Mortars Platoon Visit
The mortar event held in Warcop had officer cadets understand how intricate the role of an infantry mortar platoon is at operating in the field officer cadets learned about the different types of people who utilise the mortar to the wider battlefield at platoon level.
Throughout the days, highly interactive lessons were had, placing each officer cadet in the
role of a mortarman and learning
to operate it in a three-man team. This progressed through the week to understanding how the Alpha and Bravo MFC (Mortar fire controller) operated and the mathematical calculations that must be carried out across the battlespace. This brought many officer cadets back to their old GCSE lessons, having to practice trigonometry in a classroom whilst simultaneously also working on their navigational ability to locate the enemy.
The nights often ended with officer cadets witnessing a night attack from which the platoon fired different
types of rounds to the reveal enemy positions so they could conduct an attack on them.
The final day consisted of firing mortars with the whole platoon not before quickly unpacking and preparing the ammunition from the back of a MAN SV 4x4 running the ammunition to the mortar dets, bedding them in and firing them.
This was an experience of a lifetime that served as a great insight to those wishing to purse a career in the infantry.
24 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER