Page 3 - The Light Blue Volunteer 2019
P. 3
Ex EASTER LEADER
A consolidated Module A run at West Tofts by Cambridge UOTC, delivering foundation military skills required before progressing to Module B where tactical command is taught.
OCdts and staff from Cambridge and 3 other UOTCs arrived for camp orientation and the OC’s opening address. The next morning training began with weapons revision, basic foot drill and the Personal Fitness Assessment. A struggle for some and a breeze for others, everyone made it through the assessment.
“Green” training started on Sunday with the 40-strong platoon receiving orders from the Platoon Commander. An insertion march on to the training area followed, carrying bergans, webbing and rifles with all the kit needed for two nights
in the field. Lessons on camouflage, “basha” building and the Operational Ration Pack were taught before settling into harbour routine and being tasked to conduct sentry duty throughout the night.
We returned to camp after two nights of living in the field and had a chance to de-gunge. Navigation training was next on the programme culminating in a night navigation exercise. After a few map reading errors, and hints from the staff, all groups made it back into camp with time to change for a well-earned evening in the Officers’ Mess.
Wednesday brought lessons in battlefield first aid and after two days in camp we prepared to go back out for the final “green” phase, this time putting
into practice all that had been taught over the week. The final phase included lessons on patrolling and operating as part of an infantry section and platoon. After the lessons, it was time for Platoon Commanders orders before deploying
to a tactical harbour area from which
the sections conducted reconnaissance patrols. At 4am on Friday morning we huddled together to receive orders ready for the attack. After a morning fighting the enemy, the cadets had definitely
got the mechanics right. As always, the Directing Staff were on hand to provide hot debriefs on tactics.
Maj Wopat OC Jnr Div
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 3
