Page 45 - Bugle Spring 2025

8 RIFLES
An 8 RIFLES LCpl leads
his section on patrol
DEVELOPING
LEADERS
For junior leaders in the Infantry, Potential
Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Courses
and the infamous Battle Courses held at
the Infantry’s School in Brecon are a rite of
passage. As RSM, it is my responsibility to
prepare our candidates for this challenge.
Over the course of a weekend, we put
our reservist candidates through their paces
under the instruction of our experienced
Permanent Staff, all of whom have completed
these arduous courses in their own careers.
The weekend included aspiring LCpls, Cpls,
Sjts and Platoon Commanders, with each
group helping to develop and mentor their
peers and delivering well prepared lessons to
one another as part of their development.
The pre course, attended by 12 students
and 5 instructors, was held at Warcop, in the
Yorkshire Dales. It started as it meant to go
on with a 2 mile ‘best effort’ run carrying full
fighting equipment weighing 25kgs, a classic
Infantry test. This got the blood flowing before
we transitioned to the classroom lessons
ranging in battle drills, map reading, weapon
handing, and the combat estimate prior to
orders being delivered - all critical skills for
aspiring infantry leaders. No one wanting
to spend too long indoors we then upped
the ante physically, with the candidates
completing a 4km march with full marching
kit of 40 kgs, followed by another best effort
run of 2km carrying 20 kgs.
An excellent weekend of training, delivered
superbly by the instructors and gratefully
received by the students, whose attitude and
application were spot on. I am confident that
each Rifleman will have walked away better
prepared for their upcoming courses.
RSM Farrell
As RSM, it is my
responsibility
to prepare our
candidates for this
challenge.
Commanders must
always be prepared to
lead from the front
RIFLES The Bugle 45