Page 25 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

car accident. Under the guidance of the patrol commander, the trainee Ri emen secured the scene and a laid IED, searched a suspicious vehicle and found another IED, apprehended two suspects and successfully treated a seriously wounded civilian. The casualty and captured persons were extracted by the Company Sergeant Major allowing the patrol to return to their harbour.
With activity increasing in the area, it wasn’t long before the OP reported a massing of forces within striking distance of the Company and 5 Platoon prepared for their nal attack. A generous rouse of 0330hrs set the Platoon up for success. A short insertion to the forming up point kept the trainee Ri emen fresh and a downhill assault ensured momentum and aggression. Within 40 minutes 5 Platoon had cleared 4 enemy positions and was perfectly placed to provide re support for 2 Platoon. Within minutes of the nal position being cleared, end of exercise was called to the jubilation of the trainee Ri emen. They had made it through the toughest test of their military careers. 5 Platoon passed out 26 Ri emen ready to join the Field Army. Capt Nathan Flye, SWI 5 Platoon Commander
Physical Training Programme
The current Physical Training (PT) programme at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) was revamped in April 2016 following approximately four years on the previous programme (CIC 12) that had caught the tail end of the operational climate. PT on CIC12 had been shaped and constantly changed by people returning from HERRICK and deciding what they felt was needed from recruits passing out of training. It was not based on much scienti c evidence and was characterised by a lack of physical development, which was leading to an extremely high injury rate.
The new programme (CIC16) was therefore developed in order to address this problem with the planning phase stripping it right down. PT was given a much higher priority in the programme, second only to ranges and exercises. The developers looked at research data and a lot of stats produced by the physiotherapists. A real problem with lower limb injuries was identi ed with the cause being TABs and runs. While acknowledging that these were still very much important disciplines for any infantryman, an emphasis was placed on how the recruits were prepared for these activities rather than just jumping straight in.
A ‘weight on the man’ study identi ed how much weight recruits were carrying and how far they were TABing on the various exercises. These stats were then integrated into the new programme so that
spikes in distance covered and weight carried did not occur; for example not doing a big TAB straight after an exercise.
A foundation period of 7 weeks was constructed to focus on strength and conditioning. This saw the reintroduction of gym agility which is a focus on speed, agility and quickness. Each session nishes with HIT (High intensity training), so isn’t just an easy light session, but ensures that injury is minimised. Recovery periods which utilised foam rollers and other techniques also play an important role.
The 7 week foundation period has seen a reduction in miles covered down from 23 to 8. This has reduced injury rates and the programme still sees the critical output tests at week 11 (6 miler) and week 20 (8 miler) being passed by most recruits rst time.
In terms of Personal Fitness Assessments (PFA) the recruits attempt 3 throughout the course. The rst at week 5, intermediate at week 12 and nal at week 22. Whilst not a critical output test, a reduction in the average 11⁄2 mile run time from 9.50 to 9.40 has been seen with the introduction of the new programme.
Lt Mark Topham, Kings 5 Platoon Commander
A ‘WEIGHT ON THE MAN’ STUDY IDENTIFIED HOW MUCH WEIGHT RECRUITS WERE CARRYING
Ri eman Singh (Kings 5) working on his heaves
Recruits taking their weekly bath on the Catterick assault course
Recruits practising for their Saturday night in Darlington
THE RIFLES
TRAINING 23