Page 149 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

THE FINAL WEEK WAS ALL ABOUT THE FINAL TEST EXERCISE (FTX)
package, a half day NavEx, a con ict negotiation exercise and a day at the Special Forces School. In the last of these packages the learners brushed up on getting out of tough spots, survival skills and techniques and the use of foreign weapons. All was useful but using a non-OS map was a test for Capt English as the map symbols are not universal as, for example the symbol for a church is a K (presumably for kirk).
The nal week was all about the Final Test Exercise (FTX). The syndicates deployed in teams as they might as MilObs. A sequence of trials including being harassed at an illegal check point, mounting and manning an overt UN Observation Post, negotiating separately for access, food, freedom of movement, being taken hostage and facilitating a body exchange between belligerent groups. All this whilst maintaining real life support following a violent thunder storm which lasted all night on the second day. Noah would have been alarmed by what appeared to be a biblical event. The three Ri emen shadowed the Syndicates whilst Cpl White mentored the SANDF Medical Teams when dealing with the injuries sustained by learners in some of the more robust phases of the FTX. Whilst this was not a pass or fail course those learners who did not enjoy the deprivation aspects of the training are unlikely to put themselves forward for posting to lawless African nations in this role when they can instead operate within their own contingents with far greater levels of security and comfort.
All too soon, we were back in Pretoria completing the handback of kit and taking part in the closing address by Brigadier General A Van der Welt, Chief of Staff of the SANDF Training Command. Here the learners received their certi cates qualifying them as UN MilObs. The General recognised the BPST (SA)’s support of this course and presented each of the STTT members with a Training Command shield in recognition of the contribution to the success of this course. The STTT have delivered written feedback to the PMTC via BPST(SA) and have been asked to consider future requests to support the two UN MilObs courses in 2017 if tasked by 38 Brigade. This attachment was immensely rewarding, working with comrades from a friendly power, being able to apply proven skills in a different environment whilst, on the occasional day off taking in Battle eld Studies and Reservations. We also found all people in South Africa to be generous and welcoming wherever we pitched up. Should this opportunity present itself again we would strongly encourage Ri emen of all ranks to grasp it.
Capt JGH English, Capt AIL Barron, WO2 BM Welch and Cpl DL White
THE RIFLES
Interallied Confederation of
Reserve Of cers: Young Reserve
Of cers Workshop (CIOR YROW)
Prague – 2017
Prague – once the capital city of The Kingdom of Bohemia, The Austro-Hun- garian empire, communist Czechoslovakia, and now of the bustling Czech Republic, played host to around 70 Young Reserve Of cers (YROs 2Lt – Capt) from NATO and Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries. Delegations represented The Reserve Forces of countries from a variety of European, North American and Commonwealth countries.
The Young Reserve Of cers Workshop (YROW) is part of the wider CIOR Summer Congress, which encompasses an annual concurrent military competition (MILCOMP), workshop for reserve medical professionals (CIOMR), and a Civilian-Military Liaison Exercise (CIMEX). The British delegations for these events were selected and funded by the United Kingdom Reserve Forces Association (UKRFA).
YROW provided an excellent opportunity for YROs from all Corps, throughout NATO and PfP countries to gain a better understanding of the organisation and function of NATO; the UNSC; and other countries’ military, socio-economic, and cultural aspects. This included asking searching questions to other delegations on their reserve model, and to generate discussion on dif culties faced day-to-day by YROs. Knowledge and best practice was shared especially on training and employer-engagement.
YROs participated in a mock NATO summit, in which each individual represented a NATO country, with individual policy guidelines, when debating a politico-military scenario. This exercise allowed YROs a brief glimpse into the world of defence diplomacy, cultural and language differ- ences within NATO, and the NATO consensus-based silent procedure.
The entire CIOR Congress was brought together for a symposium during which experts from NATO and PfP nations presented on a wide range of topics including the role of reservists in counter-terrorism and intelligence, the CBRN threat, Daesh, and cyber-security. These lectures were attended by OF ranks from 2Lt to Gen and raised stimulating debate on the perti- nence of these matters from platoon to ministerial level.
Finally, YROs were put into a mock scenario in which each multi-national team of YROs engaged in tri-partisan diplomatic negotiations representing the mediating NATO, the threatened Norway, or the aggressive dictatorship of the ctitious Vineland. YROs were told to make their role-playing as realistic as possible, which resulted in heated negotiation, delegations storming out of rooms, and, rarely, common ground and consensus!
While YROW undoubtedly improved YROs’ understanding of the bigger picture, the most important success was the building and maintenance of friendships across the world. The CIOR committee hosted a fantastic gala dinner in which delegates were resplendent in national and regimental mess dress. Needless to say, Ri es mess dress proved as eye-catching among our NATO and PfP colleagues as it does at home. The black and the green remain the nest colours ever seen!
2Lt Prash Ramaraj, G Coy
YROs upholding British fashion
SEVENTH BATTALION 147