Page 48 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
This year saw the PNCO cadre uphold the new tradition of taking to the hills of Sennybridge. The course ran from the 18th June 23 to the 7th July 23 with 59 Light Dragoons, consisting of a 12-strong training team led by Lt Erskine and Sgt Waters, an enemy of 10 led by Cpl Biggins and a platoon of potential NCOs led by Lt Ferguson and Sgt Atkinson, deploying on the exercise. The PNCO cadre is a course designed to test and develop the leadership potential of candidates aspiring to promote from Trooper to Lance Corporal. It is often the first arduous course that the junior ranks will attend and is mandated to be completed before promotion. The course focusses on leadership and dismounted
PNCO Cadre
tactical soldiering. The first 2 weeks of the course consisted of an initial learning phase conducted in the field that transi- tioned into an exercise phase. The final week of the Army Learning Development Program was conducted in Gaza Barracks, finishing with a regimental parade for successful candidates.
The course departed Gaza barracks in the early hours of the 18th June after 2 days of thorough kit inspections led by the Platoon Sgt, Sgt Atkinson. Utilising his years of experience, his attention to detail was meticulous and resulted in a large number of ‘re-shows’ from the course until his high standards were met. His diligent work allowed the course to
step off on their journey in good stead for the events that lay ahead. On their arrival at Sennybridge Camp, the troops disem- barked the coach to be met by the training team. The standard was set from the beginning with an initial opening brief from Lt Erskine and Sgt Waters. Further kit inspections were conducted resulting in a great deal of sweat being expended by those who were unfortunate enough to forget items on the packing list. Sgt Waters took no prisoners.
There was little respite for the troops from the beginning. The next day saw the troops complete the ‘Fan Dance’ over the Brecon Beacons. The 3 sections of the platoon competed against each other
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