Page 20 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

3 RIFLES
1 (Ai) Brigade Shooting Competition Champions
COVID wasn’t enough to stop 1X’s annual shooting competition going ahead this April. 3 RIFLES entered a team, that due to other commitments and original members inevitably catching COVID, was put together last minute. Even planned training prior to the competition was cursed with the unpre- dictable Garelochhead weather system minimising our range time to just one day. In spite of the unlucky start, we were still confident in our ability to step up to the mark when it mattered.
The team took full advantage of the prep week ranges provided by the 4 SCOTS hosts, focusing on our application of fire in different positions at ranges up to 600 meters. What proved to be vital was our Rifleman’s knowledge of a good zeroing process which set us apart from other teams from the off. The wind seemed to be an issue for other teams, especially beyond 400m, but due to our limited time on Garelochhead we were well prepared for wind if nothing else. We decided to spend the last
of our practice sessions continually firing the longer-range shoots in a bid to open a gap on our opposition and exploit their weakness.
Competition week arrived and we were very confident that this was our competition to win. Each team had the same eight shoots to
With the Anti-Tank Platoon establishment growing significantly, this year’s cadre
was an important moment in setting up
the platoon for future success. With a large batch of eager(ish) new Riflemen and Lance Corporals coming across from the Rifle Coys – as well as the Platoon’s “old hands” – the cadre looked sure to produce a great outcome, and so it proved.
Starting with a Sect Comd-led SAA package, covering Javelin, NLAW, AFV recognition, and navigation, the cadre
aimed to nail the core skills of conventional, dismounted Anti-Tanking, before placing them in context with a series of TEWTs and testing them on a (suitably cheeky) final exercise. That exercise happened in Galloway Forest, with the Platoon deployed as a disruption force in an enemy’s rear area. This allowed for a blend of conventional Platoon ops – like a dramatic anti-armour ambush from a big Scottish hillside – and free-form, section led raids and harassment. The intensely difficult terrain, although not much fun, will provide
a useful reservoir of confidence – if you can carry a Javelin across Galloway, you can carry one anywhere.
20 RIFLES The Bugle
conduct culminating in a falling plate compe- tition on the last day. Monday and Tuesday went reasonably well with the 3 RIFLES team shooting consistently with the Rifle, but we weren’t creating the gap we were wanted on the opposition.
Wednesday brought the Pistol round. This
is something we trained in detail focusing on the basics of the hold and aim of the weapon. To win this we decided the better firers needed to take risks and go for the larger point scoring areas. Those not so confident were to shoot more cautiously but still retain a good average score. It was now clear to see that we were the team to beat and with that brought all sorts
of protests from an Artillery team in particular, ranging from our team having better weapons through to us having a less windy range than they did. Although our team captain, CSjt Sanyang put their protests to bed, in true senior NCO diplomatic fashion, our Riflemen wanted to humiliate them at the next possible opportunity.
Our chance soon came in the fire team attack, a shoot well rehearsed, the following morning. The time put in at long range paid off. The team fired a very impressive shoot only dropping 11 shots in total and opening up a gap of just under a thousand points on our closest rival.
The cadre wrapped up with a week of marksmanship and skills competition in Barry Buddon – a suitably relaxing and enjoyable way to recover from the FTX. As a chain
of command we were hugely impressed
with the effort and enthusiasm of our new intake, almost all of whom ended up joining the platoon and who we have no doubt will continue to do very well. In a close-fought and competitive field, Rfn Easten (ex-MG Pl) was named best newcomer, and Rfn Watt the top student.
Capt W Lancashire
The last day was finalised with a falling plate competition. The prize giving was somewhat of a 3 Rifles parade - which I am sure everyone in attendance enjoyed. We claimed the “Champion team” award by a huge distance which was mainly down to our final day shoot. Individual prizes were also swept up by 3 RIFLES, top rifle shot was CSjt Galdes with Rfn Cane claiming second place. Except for two places the 3 RIFLES team blocked out the further top 10 places. CSjt Galdes also claimed top pistol shot by a wide margin. Finishing with the fastest time of the day and taking second and third in the falling plate shoot was still slightly disappointing because we wanted the clean sweep. In fairness it would have been difficult to carry even more silverware back to Dreghorn Barracks. A brilliant performance by all!
CSjt Galdes
It was now clear to see that we were the team to beat and with that brought all sorts of protests from an Artillery team in particular
FSP Cadres – Recce Platoon
3 RIFLES Reconnaissance Platoon undertook their annual cadre in Senny- bridge during February and March. The cadre focused on the core reconnais- sance skills, with the emphasis on the basics being done well. The cadre was split in to five phases including: theoretical learning, navigation, fitness, practical learning and formative and summative exercises culminating in live fire ranges.
The naturally difficult terrain in Sennybridge pushed the individual Rifle- men’s fitness to the limit, and coupled with the poor weather conditions,
made the cadre a challenge for even
the most seasoned recce soldiers.
With just five weeks to bring students with no experience up to the required standard is no mean feat. The learning curve from the outset was steep and it was pleasing to see the students rise
to the challenge admirably. Of note was their performance during the formative exercise, despite an amber weather warning bringing gale-force winds and torrential rain, the students were able
to successfully complete every mission whilst keeping up an impressively high level of morale.
A strong cohort of applicants to the Platoon led to a highly competitive bar set for those joining, the result was
a well deserving group of qualified individuals. A quick turnaround on to a NATO exercise in Romania has allowed the Platoon to utilise the skills gained on the cadre to great effect whilst deployed.
If you can carry a Javelin across Galloway, you can carry one anywhere
ATK PL CADRE 2021