Page 32 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Training Wing has spent the majority of 2023 supporting the Regiment as it undertook MST and deployed on Op PYSMA, whilst remaining focussedoncareercoursesanddistributed training for the benefit of our soldiers. This year has seen a lot of success for the department, which has been fundamental in providing the framework for all Sqns to achieve entry standards across an array of taskings.
A very busy year that started right from the off - post recovery from Op INTERFLEX. The Regiment deployed to Castlemartin to complete both mounted and dismount firing packages as part of the battlecraft syllabus on Ex STEEL DRAGOON to maintain our competency as recce soldiers. This training was critical in preparing our people prior to deploying on Ex SPRING STORM in Estonia.
Not resting on our laurels and before planes hit the ground returning from Estonia, the regiment swiftly move straight into MST. In standard army fashion, what required 12 months preparation they gave us 6 months, not deterred by this the Training Wing rolled up their sleeves to plan, deliver, and qualify the Regiment to hit all their training
PWO Course Warcop Jan 2024.
Training Wing
and assurance requirements. This included firing from civilian vehicles, to operating armoured platforms, to becoming team medics, to completing a multitude of mandated joint training requirements (MATTs in old money) and all the Op Safety Courses needed in today’s health & safety environment. The LDs have trained, qualified, trained, and qualified rigorously to ensure we are a success on our mission, but also to future proof the Regiment for subsequent tasks.
Whilst Op PYSMA MST was the focus, we still needed to provide opportunities and career courses for our people not aligned to this task. In conjunction with delivering MST, we also provided various opportunities to complete career courses, distributed training, qualifications required for the Regiment to function and a large effort on apprenticeships to ensure they are civilian recognised for their training and qualifications.
Throughout the year (as is the norm) there have been several appointment changes. Capt Godfrey moved onto QM(T), WO2 Pennicott assumed the Trg Offr post. Sgt Sudlow & Sgt Mackenzie came on board, Sgt Beardshaw departed on Op SHADER and SSgt Cribbin promoted and became the RGSS. Last, but certainly not least – the Training Wing stalwarts are still here; SSgt’s Robinson & Dinsley. YES – SSgt Scot Dinsley is still alive and kicking and if you are thinking...I know that name! You were probably on course with him in the 1990s!
Looking forward to 2024 – the pace of life will not relent, and more deployments are on the horizon with the Training Wing certainly being part of that. I would like
to thank the above team for all their hard work and dedication throughout 2023.
Final mention must go to SSgt Scot Dinsley, as pen goes to paper, he is in the last few weeks of his army career, 24+ years’ service in our Regiment is a remarkable achievement. Fond memories from everyone that has been in his company, I’m sure (especially within the mess!). Good luck for your next chapter.
WO2 Ant Pennicott Training Officer
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Trg Officer getting his annual face time ensuring he comes of the LE CAB.
Nominal Roll:
WO2 Pennicott (Trg Offr) SSgt Robinson (Trg WO) SSgt Dinsley (RDMI) SSgt Cribbin (RGSS)
Sgt Mackenzie (Trg Sgt) Sgt Sudlow (Trg Sgt) Sgt Beardshaw (Trg Sgt)
Following on from last year, the Regimental Duty Staff Department (RDS) has continued to uphold the standard for the members of the regiment who have remained in Gaza Barracks while the majority have been deployed on exercises on exercises or operations.
Most would assume that this would result in a quieter period for the department, but the lords work is never done! Especially where illegal parking, creased smocks and unshaped berets are concerned!
The department has a new member to the team in LCpl Smith who fulfils the void left
by LCpl Davison who has transferred to “1st UK Civ div”. Smith is the first female JNCO to be posted to the department, so we can officially say that history has been made this year. She has taken to the role of RDS JNCO like Cpl Jukes takes to a triple cheeseburger and the team would like to thank her for being a team playing contributor thus far.
SSgt Richardson handed over the sheriff ’s badge in February, to Sgt Craig Metcalfe who is yet to walk the beat of Gaza B as he is still deployed on operations. We are excited for his return as SSgt Richardson is struggling to come to terms with losing
the stick of power and is in the guardroom more now than when he was in the seat!
The team continues to implement the Workplace Induction Programme (WIP) to ensure that all new arrivals meet the requirements to deploy at short notice. We ensure they leave the RDS department informed on what life at Regimental duty has in store and always appear relieved to be handed over to their troops after a week of ‘standards and values rehearsal.’
The Guardroom could be mistaken for the Union Jack Club since it received a makeover it was promised in 2015. This
Regimental Duty Staff
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