Page 39 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Signals Platoon
The Signals Platoon like to think of ourselves as a Swiss army knife of communications, ready at any moment to cater for the Battalion’s CIS needs. Led under the watchful eye of the RSO (when he is there), the Platoon picks up a wide variety of tasks.
This year the Platoon has been called upon to support the Battalion on Op SHADER with signaller support to BHQ and the Company ROTOs 3 and 3.5. It has also supported Op ELGIN (a Balkan reaction force tasking) in the form of running HICONs for the PDT packages. The Platoon also deployed to STANTA in support of Ex STEPPE EAGLE in a HICON role, supporting 160 Brigade as well as deploying mentors and rebro callsigns to facilitate communications. Although often lacking repower, the Platoon continues to deliver a consistent and solid performance.
The Signals Platoon have been at the forefront of training; both at Company level by delivering ComBAT training for all ranks, and also at Battle Group level by developing the BGHQ into a smaller more mobile (and therefore) survivable headquarters. Signals Platoon NCOs also delivered the Infantry Platoon Radio Operators course for the Battalion, preparing future platoon signallers for exercises and operations across the world.
It has not been all hard work, many of the Platoon were able to get away and take part in sporting activ- ities. Rfn Lewis fought for HQ Coy in the Battalion boxing night and to the shock of many, won his bouts convincingly. A number of the Platoon have found their calling in multiple event sports, with CSjt Collier, LCpl Chitty and LCpl Hobbs regularly repre- senting the Battalion in triathlon events. The platoon welcomes Capt Ara, who relieves Capt Pearson as
RSO, taking over our magical operation. He has been left with some gems of advice: rstly get all indents in above the 6 week timeline and secondly if something is not working, blame user error or atmospherics.
In summary although Signals Platoon have often been fragmented, morale is good and we have a strong team working hard, in preparation for future taskings including a look forward to Kenya in 2018. CSjt King
Bowman Systems Manager
MORALE IS GOOD AND WE HAVE A STRONG TEAM WORKING HARD, IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE TASKINGS
THE RIFLES
FIRST BATTALION 37
Cpl Bulmer taking students from IPRO through a Company Command Post on Ex TALKING BUGLE
Signals Platoon posing (pre-race) at the
Army Sprint Triathlon Championships