Page 15 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

2 RIFLES
When I was first told I was going on the JNCO Cadre I was very nervous. I am quite junior and only 20 years old and I knew there were people more experienced and older than me. Since depot I haven’t done proper conventional soldiering in the way the cadre would need. I felt out of my depth at first, especially after coming back from Op TORAL 10, which is a totally different version of soldiering compared to the types of warfare we conducted on the cadre.
When I arrived, it was under the steady and diligent directing staff who taught us from the most basic level. They taught us lessons in camp and the field, but also how to conduct ourselves to the highest standards as Riflemen, and most importantly as aspiring JNCOs. My change from Rfn to LCpl was not all down to the DS – it was the men around me. The creed and brotherhood that is shared between all Riflemen is strong and got a lot of us through. If I were struggling or having a crap day there was always that one bloke in my section that would be there to catch me
if I fell. My worst moment was in a platoon harbour when my shell scrape filled with water and my boot floated past my head. It was 3 in the morning and I was sat on my Bergen thinking ‘what is the point of all this.’ It was then that my mate Robbo gave me his
brew and told me to keep my chin up and that we would get through this.
The most important thing this course showed me is that it’s not about the individual, it’s about the team, the Riflemen around you. As a LCpl I am the closest rank to my Riflemen and this course has showed me that I should always be there for the men under my command. It is a lesson I will take forward in my new rank of LCpl.
LCpl Barraclough
The Final Hurdle, FTX on the
JNCO Cadre
We deployed to Sennybridge in Brecon for the final stage of the JNCO cadre focusing on FIWAF, section attacks and platoon attacks. We went through a multitude
of different scenarios such as delivering orders, planning, practicing basic skills and drills and some urban training in Celieni village.
The attacks were really cool with explo- sives used and drones, but for the most part it was very tiring as there was so much to do in such a short period of time, but it kept us on our toes. For example, one day we would be on a recce patrol to a certain area as a section commander and the next you could be a GPMG gunner or a point man on the patrol. Each person had to pass 2 appoint- ments. The worst part about the exercise was the weather, it wasn’t necessarily bad weather, but it was very windy and cold throughout which added to the arduous nature. The lack of sleep some days and the cold and constant workload definitely tested us, but it wasn’t anything unachievable. The whole exercise was a test to see if we had picked up and learned everything from the week before. The last day saw us compile everything together for a final attack on a farm with multiple different enemy positions
It was very tiring as there was so much to do in such a short period of time
dotted around it. We moved as a platoon in the early hours ready to attack and take the farm.
All in all, I’d say it was a very demanding 2 weeks personally but it’s nothing to be afraid of, anyone can achieve it if you just put your mind to it and stick with it. You may be wet and cold and hungry but once you get to the finish line it’s well worth the effort required. Not to mention the skills you pick up and learn on the way that will set you up in your career for other roles that you may pursue. I enjoyed my time on the final exercise, even if there were some pretty bad times that felt like they weren’t going to end anytime soon.
LCpl Youngs
RIFLES The Bugle 15
GROWING FROM RFN TO LCPL