Page 48 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

RTT
The training year has continued in the well- trodden, recent form for The Rifles Training Team. As ever, there were new members to the team, to evolve and continue the vital work that their peers had established. With some exceptional performances from Sjt Ben Hayden and CSjt Mark Kelly, under the stewardship of WO2 Dan Collins, they have delivered mentored development of the highest standard, preparing our Riflemen for career courses and transitioning into their chosen Battalions via the Rifleman’s Cadre.
Serjeant Major Collins moved early to establish a STT to facilitate the establishment of the Turks and Caicos Islands Defence Force. I’m well informed that this is vital Defence Engagement work but SM Collins’ tan and Strava times leave me slightly sceptical. Following this taxing deployment, he will move to 3 RIFLES as the RQMS. CSjt Kelly moves on promotion to 3 RIFLES as CSM B Company. Sjt Ben Hayden moves to 4 RIFLES on promotion as a CSjt Instructor within the ‘Representative’ Company. Their replacements were WO2 Rob Hamilton who brings a wealth of tactical expe- rience from his time at Junior Division within the Infantry Battle School and CSjt Brett Gloyn who jumps back into G7 training following
a successful post as CQMS S Coy, both have been outstanding additions to the team.
The year got off to a great start with RMAS preparation. SNCOs from across The Rifles and wider Army conducted preparation training
to set the conditions for success at the RMAS instructor cadre. The training covered a variety of components to enhance their knowledge and put them out of their comfort zone in
less traditional aspects. Working with SNCOs outside of the Regimental system has provided a nuance that few have with our traditional
48 RIFLES The Bugle
routines. There were some exceptional candidates who went onto to not only perform well but get selected for the coveted role of Sandhurst Colour Serjeant.
The Rifleman’s Cadre has been fundamental to giving our Riflemen the start to their military career that sets the foundations of investment. It has been visited from many across the
Army with the most recent being the Colonel Infantry and the Infantry Command Sergeant Major, who visited the Riflemen conducting urban and medical training. Both were really impressed with the enthusiasm of the troops and certainly recognised the value of such development. The package that the new Riflemen undertake establishes Regimental pride with core military skills and a progres- sive fitness programme that is a great platform to allow them to adapt incrementally prior to joining their assigned Company. They will also conduct a full BRU Cadre and have their WIPs as part of the overall cadre. The final day is a walk up the famous Pen-Y-Fan in Brecon and a visit to the Infantry Battle School which breaks down the myth of what they’ll undertake as their career progresses.
The bread and butter for the RTT, and the reason for its inception in 2014, is providing preparatory training for JNCOs on their respec- tive career courses. The Infantry Skills Course has gone from strength-to-strength and the performances at the Infantry Battle School on SCBC and PSBC go some way to cement that. Our JNCOs are outperforming their infantry
peers by some margin and there has been real success stories which only bodes well for the future of the Regiment. The course has evolved and is now a three-week modular structure of navigation on SENTA, conceptual – focussing on the combat estimate, and a tactical week broken down into different phases.
The team finally conducted some much-needed adventurous training. A day of kayaking on the river Wye and an overnight camp in Byecross was a break that allowed the team to get away from a busy FOE and more importantly, out of MTP. It also allowed those who would soon depart to pastures new, a social get-together which was really well received and the model for future cohorts.
The Rifles Training Team continues to develop its course content and provides our Riflemen the service they deserve. It has been a fantastic year thus far and if the latter half continues in this manner, then the team will have enabled over 600 Riflemen to excel in their chosen career path, all delivered with some Rifles swagger.
The Rifles Training Team continues to develop its course content and provides our Riflemen the service they deserve
RIFLES TRAINING TEAM