Page 72 - QDG 2023

70 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
PNCO/Recce Cadre
Otterburn in December, the ‘good ideas club’ at its very best!
There are few areas of British Training Estate better placed to test the newest batch of the Welsh Cavalry’s Junior Leaders. This winter’s PNCO Cadre would be joined by a ‘Recce Cadre.’ Still in its infancy, the Recce Cadre aims bridge the gap in skills found between leaving Phase Two and the competency expected for a PNCO Cadre.
Students spent the first phase at RBSM, covering fundamental skills they would be required to demonstrate whilst on exercise. All the while, packing and repacking Bergans with additional warm kit in preparation for the cold weather expected on the Scottish Border.
The exercise phase quickly separated the wheat from the chaff, with impres- sive robustness demonstrated by many. All, including the Directing Staff, were transported back in time to those most basic drills taught at Phase One estab- lishments.
The format of the respective cadres meant that the each operated inde- pendently for the majority, however, with several specific periods of convergence. Most notably, the final 24hrs of the exercise phase. This provided a tangible opportunity for all PNCO students to mentor and lead those junior to them.
Troops were tested day and night on all basic recce skills, consistently improving hour by hour. The final action
The future leaders of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
saw a combined operation with the top students each taking their section out to recce objectives, ultimately leading to a raid at first light.
Sadly - despite its hours of care and attention - the bayonet lane was not to be. A real time casualty on the final objective meant that Sgt Griffiths and his team were not able to execute their well- oiled machine.
Congratulations to the top students: PNCO Cadre – Tpr Cotton. RECCE Cadre
– Tpr Hiscox.
ED
Admirable spacings