Page 63 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Jungle Warfare Instructors Course Cpl Smith
I was fortunate to gain a place on the Jungle Warfare Instructors Course (JWIC)
in April 15, after returning from Op TOSCA 21. I have wanted to attend JWIC due to its reputation for developing infantry skills, and since experiencing the jungle environment on Ex REDSTRIPE in Jamaica in 2008. JWIC is an arduous seven-week course held at the Jungle Warfare School in Brunei, aimed at training JNCOs to YOs in the jungle environment, but also ensuring that all those who pass the
course have the ability
to aid the planning of
exercises in a jungle
environment for their
respective unit.
around 40m; a large reliance is placed on trusting your pacing and bearing.
The undulating nature of the terrain combined with complex water features, moving tactically and carrying weight, also meant that moving across ground was
hard going, sometimes taking two days
to move 6km. All the new skills learnt on JWIC tested my soldiering ability thoroughly, however the heli abseiling was something completely new and thoroughly enjoyable.
Brunei Jungle, May 15
Riverine Ops Lesson on JWIC, May 15
Cooking Lesson during Survival pase of JWIC, May 15
The highlight for me was getting the chance to get back to basics at platoon level, under the guidance of very experienced directing staff with extensive jungle warfare and UKSF backgrounds.
Since I returned from Brunei, I have been tasked to cascade my training down to
the company, and as such I have delivered lessons on survival, routine patrolling and river crossing drills. These lessons have been received well by the lads, and the new skills will help to improve their basic soldiering.
I would highly recommend JWIC, and hope to return to the Jungle Warfare School in the future to complete the Jungle Tracking Course.
Due to the new
environment, the
training is progressive
and started at the
basics. The course
covers a large subject matter, including jungle navigation, riverine ops, survival skills, live firing and heli abseiling drills. The jungle proved true to its reputation, and proved to be a ruthless environment to operate in due to the high humidity and arduous terrain. Navigation in the jungle was fundamental
to success, and due to the environment was more challenging than previously experienced. Due to the high canopy in
the jungle, navigation has to be conducted without GPS devices, with visibility of usually
Due to the high canopy in the jungle, navigation has to be conducted without GPS devices
A Machine Gun Section Commander
Cpl Costa
Over the last year, things have been hectic. Most soldiers in the platoon had no experience in operating as a machine gun asset, apart from being familiar with the GPMG in the light role. Therefore, on training weeks back in camp, the platoon would get the Sustained Fire (SF) kit out of the armoury, and start going through the drills with some of the lads who had previously been in the Fire Support Group.
In October, the platoon along with other support weapon assets, deployed to Salisbury under Dragon Coy for six weeks to conduct a MG cadre. Coincidentally, I was made aware of a space on the Machine Gun Commander’s course running in Warminster. So, I bounced onto the course to get to grips fully with my new job as a Machine Gun Section Commander.
The course was five weeks of graft; I found it more challenging
as I had never operated in a support role. Throughout the course I learned the importance and capabilities of an SF Platoon supporting the Company Commander. By the end of my course the majority of the platoon was also getting qualified on their cadre in Salisbury.
2015 brought an attachment to the 2 SCOTS BG to provide a PRT. This allowed us to see how other units used their Machine Gun Platoons (and learn from their mistakes!).
I look forward to finally exercising as a fully-fledged company and battle group asset in the battalion’s upcoming deployment to Kenya
Cpl Costa, Photo 2, Pte Harmes ‘digging in’ on sentry with MG, Salisbury Plain, 2014
Pte Knight mans MG in overwatch, Salisbury Plain 2014
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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