Page 35 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

5 RIFLES JNCO CADRE
Our Training Wing led this year’s PJNCO Cadre which formed up with 45 Riflemen. With no external accommodation available, but with the kind permission of the RSM, we utilised the redundant accommodation Annex of the Corporals’ Mess as the “JNCO Cadre FOB”.
The Riflemen’s preparatory training prior
to the start of the cadre was assessed on
day one during Ex FIRST LOOK and saw all troops tested on their weapon handling, military knowledge and physical robustness during a five- mile loaded march. The cadre was designed to replicate the preparation and deployment for operations, using the modules of the cadre as the road to readiness. This started with leadership and command development during the ALDP on week one, where each Rifleman learnt the qualities that ensure good leadership, command ability
and how to manage their own and their subordinates’ careers. Continual physical development during week one would see all Riflemen challenged during intense sessions of battle PT and assessments such as the 2-miler. During the evening, regimental history presentations developed their ability and confidence when speaking to an audience.
Weeks two and three introduced the Riflemen to Battle Exercise planning, range safety and coaching
techniques, enhancing their leadership qualities and command ability. The assuring AIW from the SASC were extremely impressed with the confidence and performance of all Rifleman assessed which was both credit to them and the cadre instructors.
Physical training continued and intensified during weeks two and three pushing
each Rifleman to their physical limits with challenging loaded marches to and from Bulford ranges where every inch of Kiwi
Hill was exploited. The culmination of week three saw the Riflemen taken by surprise when faced with a battle casualty scenario that developed into a demanding casualty extraction from SPTA back to the cadre FOB.
BCS during week four allowed the Riflemen to further hone their Battle Craft Skills within a command context. Urban fighting skills were mastered during a day in Copehill Down. As week four developed, each Rifleman began
to show their true qualities, maturing into the cadre and showing their true potential as
our future JNCO’s. Week four ended with the focussed minds and the conditions set for the cadre to deploy.
Week five saw the cadre deploy to SENTA establishing a FOB at Farm 7 and beginning the RSOI phase of the deployment. Navigation
was successfully tested. Section Fire Team Command appointments were
each Rifleman began
to show their true qualities, maturing into the cadre and showing their true potential as our future JNCO’s
assessed during a long section attack lane which culminated in each Rifleman physically and mentally challenged, during a claustrophobic sword fighting trench clearance.
Week 6 tested the new skills of all Riflemen as they deployed to face the insurgence. Platoon advance to contacts, recces, raid on an airstrip, ambush, FIWAF and a 14 mile insert to an FUP to launch the final deliberate attack was the culmination of six intense weeks of hard training and development. Every Rifleman were, and quietly rightly, proud of what they had achieved and what they had become.
Week 7 qualified the cadre in DTTT3 with every spare moment dedicated to drill.
Week 8 honed the drill in readiness for
the Cadre pass off in April. Inspected by Gen Copinger-Symes, the day was a proud moment for all Rifleman, their families and indeed
all the cadre staff. Of the orginal 45, 38 Rfn successfully passed.
Capt Nufer, HQ Coy
Awards
Top Student
Most Resilient Rfn Rifleman’s Rifleman
LCpl Potter
LCpl Sewell
LCpl Mercer (6 RIFLES)
An early morning insertion
physical limits with challenging loaded marches to and from Bulford ranges where every inch of Kiwi
Hill was exploited
RIFLES The Bugle 35