Page 17 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

2 RIFLES Ex OLIVE
GROVE
Exercise OLIVE GROVE, in Jordan, was my third overseas experience with the army and is my most enjoyable and self-developing one to date.
Apart from the soldiering, more of which later, we had the opportunity for three cultural visits which were really enjoyable: Petra and its historical landmark. Wadi Rum, a desert famous for being the site of numerous films, such as Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, and finally the Dead Sea which was by far the most enjoyable. In the middle of an OTX I found myself relaxing in a 5-star hotel pool, getting a mud bath and floating in water so salty it burnt. Chilling in a pool while the outside temperature was 30oc made it very briefly feel more like a luxury holiday than an exercise; it’s a shame the experience only lasted a few hours!
The training itself was all urban centric. Six weeks of well-rehearsed and patient build
up allowed myself and the Riflemen in my Section to develop and put into use new skills in the urban environment. NCOs were given much more mission command and freedom than I had personally ever experienced, and this resulted in them being able to build up individuals’ skills and rehearse more complex training as Sections ensuring that team cohesion and competence was high.
I personally believe the more relaxed atmosphere encouraged greater participation and the ability to learn the skills fully; instead of rushing through them. A particular highlight of the exercise was an SF style lane, set up
by the Section Commanders, that involved strobe lights, noise distractions, fires and judgemental situations. The aim was to prove that if you train hard then muscle memory will kick in and ensure your output is still
to the highest standard even in the most challenging and distracting of situations. It was a totally different and unique attack that was both testing and fun; something that you usually wouldn’t get to do. It was great having
the opportunity to do urban instead of the conventional infantry work.
We also conducted a patrols competition which saw sections from B Coy competing
not only against each other but also against sections from the Jordanian Armed Forces. It tested patrol skills, reconnaissance, shooting ability, physical endurance, weapon handling, medical knowledge and a few command tasks.
Another highlight of Ex OLIVE GROVE was getting to train alongside the Jordanian Armed Forces. We got to watch and learn some of their skills and drills and see how the Jordanian urban-specialist brigade trained and operated in the desert terrain of the Middle East. They also got to learn from us as we demonstrated and taught them some of our approaches to urban. This was all on display in the final attack where we had Jordanian air assets, vehicles and an Anglo-Jordanian joint force assault on a village that made it into the national media.
Ex OLIVE GROVE is definitely an exercise I hope to attend again in the future and would recommend anyone who gets the opportunity to attend.
Rfn Andrews, B Coy
In the middle of an OTX I found myself relaxing in a 5-star hotel pool, getting a mud bath and floating in water so salty it burnt
RIFLES The Bugle 17