Page 40 - LBV 2017

INTER-COMPANY TRAINING & VISITS
helped improved everyone’s marksmanship.
OCdt J McConnell
Phase 2 - FTX
The field exercise phase of Ex Kentish Blue began on Sunday morning with a tab to Park Farm, which would be Company HQ for the duration of the exercise. After a final
cooked lunch, it was time to split
into our platoons and navigate to
our potential harbour areas under
the heat of the midday sun. After
conducting a snap ambush, each
platoon set up their harbour and
sent out patrols of the surrounding
area. With no sign of the enemy
forces, orders were given in preparation for our first platoon attack early the next day.
It was an early Monday morning start for
the troops, and with little sleep, the 2 platoons began their advance towards enemy positions
a few kilometers away. The 2 platoons returned to their respective harbour locations for some administration time, before orders were delivered regarding the eagerly awaited ambush.
By 2100, the ambush was set and the troops laid in wait. After several hours, the enemy targets pulled into sight, and as soon as the platoon commander’s shot rang out the combined firepower of 1 and 2 platoon rained down upon the unsuspecting enemy, supported by flares and claymores.
In the morning, orders were given to move out of our harbour areas and return to HQ at Park Farm, where troops spent the day preparing for the company attack by building models of the area and conducting reconnaissance patrols. The objective of these was to conduct reconnaissance
of possible insertion routes and form up points for the company attack the following morning, as well as observe the enemy in their positions and gather useful intelligence.
The O Groups for each platoon were excellently conducted by JUO Musker and SUO Gibbons, supported by their section commanders, platoon sergeants and other cadets in leadership positions, and used the large models built earlier
2 Pl on Ex KENTISH BLUE
There are few more embarrassing moments for a platoon commander than to give the order that you will initiate an ambush with your own weapon, only to have an audibly loud stoppage as the enemy stride past. It was testament to the development of 2 Platoon’s confidence and cohesion as a team that they proceeded to pile into enemy on their own initiative as the boss struggled around with his magazine release catch. The platoon’s growth and exemplary performance on the final exercise of the training year was a product of two weeks of intensive training, with long hours of PT and range
firing forging a close-knit team out of cadets of vastly different ages and experience levels. As an officer, it was hugely rewarding to see individuals gain confidence and grow into their designated roles. I doubt that any of 2 Platoon will soon forget Ocdt. Choda’s briefings on
the changing enemy forces situation during orders; everything they lacked in refinement was made up for in a sheer enthusiasm that spoke volumes about the capacity of the OTC to inspire and develop. Extended exercises also present an opportunity for the senior JUO’s and cadets to seize the mantle in command appointments, with SUO Gibbons
and JUO Edwards impressing when taking over the platoon for the final dawn attack.
Yet, it was particularly pleasing to see section commanders like JUO Cleaver taking such an interest in the condition and development of their own smaller multiples. The British Army is built on such small-scale leadership and it was fantastic that an COUTC exercise like Kentish Blue could develop role models like Mr Cleaver alongside our main effort of training the platoon commanders of the future. Finishing the camp on the battlefields of Ypres and the Somme brought home to all of us the importance of that thorough training and the tragic human cost when leadership falls short. Amidst the
fun of getting out of camp and into a lively
city like Ypres it was humbling to consider the demands placed on young officers of similar age, with little more training than ourselves, in such trying conditions. I hope that Ex Kentish Blue will come to be a springboard for all the members of 2 Platoon, whether into B Coy and the JUO cadre or the broader Army Reserve beyond the OTC. They have proven themselves capable and I wish them all the best in their next endeavours.
38 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER
This was another physical challenge for the officer cadets...