Page 123 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Foreword
6 RIFLES remains a busy and vibrant unit which continues to deliver signi cant support to the Regular Army through the pairing mechanism with 1 RIFLES. The unit has deployed Ri emen on Op SHADER, Ex MAYAN WARRIOR, as the BATUK Force Protection Platoon and on Ex STEPPE EAGLE; all in support of 1 RIFLES. This continues to demonstrate the utility and value of the pairing mechanism which is a signi cant success story to come out of A2020 and, at a time of constrained resource and increasing demand from the Regular Army. This must be sustained looking forward.
The last 4 years have seen the rapid growth of the Army Reserve under Op FORTIFY, which has resulted in large numbers of new recruits joining the Battalion. This, when combined with high tempo of support to operations, has undermined the cohesion of the companies, meaning retention over recruitment is now the order of the day. As a result the Battalion has refocused its training from Battalion events to company planned and delivered training. This is both in support of CFA’s Back to Basics agenda, but also to deliver the FORTIFY dividend by enhancing company cohesion. Imaginative, resourced and fun training is the key to retention: DCFA’s mantra of ‘Train to Retain’ epitomises the Battalion’s approach.
The Battalion continues to focus on shooting and its shooting team have performed strongly this year. In the face of erce competition from dedicated Reserve unit shooting teams the Battalion delivered a credible 11th out of 25 at this year’s Army Reserve OSC, with 4 Ri emen in the Army Reserve Top 100. The approach next year will change as we work to compete on an equal footing with the top teams: our aim is to have Reserve Ri emen in the Top 50.
The Battalion took part in Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL and performed to a very high standard, earning a silver medal. The patrol commander, Lt Tom Constable, did an outstanding job and the team were justi ably proud of their achievement. We aim to repeat that success this year and will also be providing training support in the form of the enemy position for this year’s competition.
The growing Defence Engagement role repre- sents a signi cant opportunity for both the Army Reserve and the Ri emen of the 6th Battalion. Over the last year we have deepened our links with our partner countries; Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. This has been delivered through a combination of military training, participation in Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL, adventure training, ceremonial and military music. The recent deployment of the Salamanca Band to the South Caucasus to play at Queen’s Birthday Parties in
THE GROWING DEFENCE ENGAGEMENT ROLE REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH THE ARMY RESERVE AND THE RIFLEMEN OF THE 6TH
support of the Ambassadors in all 3 countries has been met with overwhelming praise, resulting in one Ambassador writing that it was the best event and most effective form of in uence she had experienced in her diplomatic career. At the time of writing the RMO and 5 medics have just returned from a successful, high pro le deployment to Armenia, where they worked with the Kansas National Guard to deliver medical training to the Armenian Emergency Services. Further demon- stration of the utility of the Reserve and the breadth in scope of Defence Engagement tasks.
Opportunities for adventure training within the Reserve continue. The Battalion has conducted expeditions to Georgia (trekking), Gibraltar (diving), and France (skiing) and will shortly deploy another trekking expedition to Georgia. This is part of a 5-year plan to develop the experience and quali cations within the Battalion to be able to deliver high level, winter mountaineering expedi- tions which will also form a part of our Defence Engagement strategy. Maintaining these types of opportunities is key in the retention battle; they are the bright lights over the horizon and, for some, the reason they continue to serve in the Army Reserve.
The Battalion remains con dent, competent and committed to the full range of tasks and outputs directed of the Army Reserve. However, constrained resources in the form of reduced MTD budgets mean we have to be smarter in delivering support and output to the Regular Army. Reserve ri emen want to have a role and relevance in the post A2020R Army, but my challenge is ensuring we can continue to deliver against their expecta- tions at a time of increased nancial scrutiny. It is essential we protect the gains made under FR20 and continue to promote the utility of the Army Reserve at a time of reduced regular manpower and increasing demand signals.
Lt Col J P PENHALE
Commanding Of cer 6 RIFLES
IT IS ESSENTIAL WE PROTECT THE GAINS MADE UNDER FR20 AND CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE UTILITY OF THE ARMY RESERVE AT A TIME OF REDUCED REGULAR MANPOWER AND INCREASING DEMAND SIGNALS
THE RIFLES
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