Page 15 - 2003 AMA Summer

Heavy emphasis is placed on mountain navigation during the training and all the usual subjects such as weather, mountain hazards and river crossing are covered. In fact, in addition to the military elements such as the effects of cold on arms and ammunition, the candidates gain a good, all round mountain education.
Accordingly, the aspiration is to be able to award suitable adventure training qualifica­ tions to those candidates who reach the appropriate standards. The Course Training Plan for the MWI encom passes the Enabling Objectives for the RLT and
MLT courses and it is hoped that successful candidates will achieve these qualifica­ tions in addition to MWI. Much of the work to ensure this happens has been carried out by SSgt Nick
O ’Shea, the Physical Training Corps Instructor with another of our Battalions, 1st Battalion The Green Jackets. He is not only a Heerbergfuhrer (having completed the one year long German Army Mountain Guide Course), but also Systems Approach to Training (SAT) trained.
What does this development mean for the AMA? Effectively, within the
Brigade, we will have a pool of Instructors who will be used to deliver formal M W T packages to three company groups a year (other commit­ ments permitting). This intro­ duces a minimum of 300
men to the mountain environ­ ment annually. In addition, MWIs can carry out training within their own battalions
that could range from a session on the gymnasium climbing wall, an afternoon top roping and abseiling on a local crag or a micro naviga­ tion exercise on suitably rugged, broken ground.
More importantly, because all these activities will now con­ tribute directly to developing a military capability, their importance will be recog­ nised by the system, rather than being seen as a ‘nice to
have’, as AT, despite the set targets, often is. This increased exposure to mountain activities across
the Light Battalions in 52 Infantry Brigade will give a greater number of Army personnel the opportunity to experience for themselves the challenge and enjoyment on offer in the mountain envi­ ronment. I feel this can only contribute to the health of
the AMA In the years to come.
Team on a summit oI one ol the many mountains climbed.
C l i m b i nW g a l l s International
39 Steps Leeds Rd Otley West Yorkshire LS21 3BR England T: 0113 284 2369 F:0113 284 3128 E:enquires@drclimbingwalls.com www.drclimbingwalls.com
( DHMY MOUNTAINEER 13