Page 46 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

8 RIFLES
Ex KHANJAR OMAN
Operating in a desert environment for two months alongside an allied foreign force...
46 RIFLES The Bugle
RANGE WEEKEND WITH D COMPANY
During October D Company took part in an exciting range weekend over two locations in the North-East. After several weeks of preparatory training on the SA80, the GPMG and the Sharpshooter rifle, Riflemen from 1, 2, and Mortar Platoon were able to put their knowledge of these weapons into practise across shooting serials.
All were keen to get rounds down the range and for many Riflemen this was their first opportunity to live-fire the GPMG. It was really rewarding to see rapid progress in marksmanship being made and the credit for this must be given to the NCOs and
the command team behind the coaching. Shooting serials varied in terms of
distance - from an easier 25 metres to
a more challenging 400 metres. Firing positions also varied to make them engaging and applicable to battlefield
reality. As ever, the value of teamwork and good communication was evident - from
the pairs behind the GPMG to the partner- coaching with the Sharpshooter. Despite the teamwork, the weekend was not without a little bit of healthy competition as everyone got engaged with a close-range shoot to determine the top marksmen of the company.
Even with dark evenings everyone got rounds down the range and the collective buzz after the shoots was clear during conversations. The shooting culminated on Sunday morning with a brilliant section-level simulation. Effective command and control were key, and this exercise was an excellent test of the skills developed over the two days to be channelled into a more realistic scenario. All in all, the weekend has put the Company in great stead for a further development of marksmanship. 2Lt Ervine, D Company