Page 33 - Bugle Spring 2025

From May to September A Coy trained
over 600 members of the Armed Forces of
Ukraine (AFU) in infantry skills, on the Basic
Infantry Course.
Consecutive cohorts of 200 pax were
transported from Ukraine to undertake the
intensive training course, which is designed
to take the individual from ‘zero to hero’. They
were taught weapon handling and infantry
skills, as well as learning offensive and
defensive tactics in a variety of operating
environments, including rural, urban, and
trenches. The troops underwent rigorous
exercises which culminated in platoon-level
final attack lanes to test their learning and
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reactions to operating under stress and
pressure.
The latter stages of the course saw the AFU
troops tested in marksmanship, undergoing
an intensive live fire package. With many of
them having never touched a weapon before,
the range package took them up to a standard
of passing marksmanship tests at 200m,
dramatically improving their lethality and
ability to effectively take the fight to the enemy.
The A Coy training teams impressed all
with their professionalism and positive attitude
towards delivering three consecutive courses.
The training delivered was as novel as it
was challenging,
A Coy
should
be proud
of the
arduous
and
realistic
training
they
delivered
with several of the exercises culminating in
combined arms attacks against Ukrainian
trench positions. These exercises used Warrior
Infantry Fighting Vehicles crewed by A Coy,
and support was gratefully received from the
Royal Tank Regiment and Army Air Corps,
providing Challenger 2 tanks and Apache
helicopters, resulting in realistic and visceral
serials, dramatically increasing training value
and enjoyment.
A Coy should be proud of the arduous and
realistic training they delivered. The Company
accumulatively trained over a Battalion’s worth
of troops who have returned directly to the
frontline.
RIFLES The Bugle 33