Page 66 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

Infantry Potential Junior
Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre 2019
On Sunday 16th June 2019 forty-two aspiring necessary paperwork, the Riflemen delivered some
...FOR OTHERS IT WOULD BE THE START OF A NEW ADVENTURE
Riflemen reported to Ballykinler Training Centre to begin their leadership journey as students on the 2 RIFLES Infantry Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (IPNCO) Cadre. For the senior Riflemen among the students and many of the instructors from 2 RIFLES it was a return to familiarity having been stationed there from 2007 until 2014. For others it would be the start of a new adventure.
Following an introduction from the Commanding Officer, the Cadre embarked on an endurance march as a screening test before launching into an intense week of classroom-based command, leadership and management training. The first week of the cadre is designed to equip the Riflemen with the tools that they will need to become effective junior commanders; such as understanding different methods of learning and leadership styles.
The second and third weeks of the Cadre delivered a range safety supervisor qualification and a blank firing exercise conducting officer quali- fication to the students, interspersed with several physical training sessions including the ‘Brecon 2 miler’. Having fought through the production of the
outstandingly imaginative battle lessons, visibly impressing the visiting Small Arms School Corps cadre validation team. It is worth mentioning that all our Lance Corporals with the IPNCO qualification are qualified to deliver blank firing training. With ever pressing demands on platoon and company headquarters the empowerment of our Lance Corporals could be a real force multiplier to improve the lived experience of our Riflemen.
With the necessary qualifications completed the Cadre moved from Ballykinler to Kirkudbright on the West Coast of Scotland to embark upon the field exercise element of the cadre. The first two days focused on teaching with the Corporal Instructors in role as section commander and second in command to demonstrate the full process of battle procedure for patrols and offensive operations. With this completed it was time for the Riflemen to assume their first command appointments in the field for the next two weeks. The final exercise followed a progression through offensive, defensive and enabling operations, concluding with a dawn raid on an enemy strong point. Mentored by the Cadre staff, most Riflemen made steady progress through formative and summative assessments to the point where they met or exceeded the standard required to pass the cadre. The minority who did not return to their platoons and companies as better Riflemen and will be set for success should they choose to attend another cadre in the future.
The final week of the cadre saw recovery to Lisburn and the inevitable focus on drill ahead of the passing off parade under the guidance of the Cadre Serjeant Major. It soon became clear that a talent for junior leadership did not necessarily translate into ability on the drill square! The parade saw 25 proud riflemen pass off qualified to promote to Lance Corporal and embrace the challenges ahead. For those remaining with 2 RIFLES that challenge will be as junior commanders on Operation TORAL, developed and thoroughly tested during the cadre our next generation of junior leaders are set to excel. Lieutenant Tom Lagana
B Company
Sunset on the IPNCO Cadre final Exercise, Kirkudbright
IT SOON BECAME CLEAR THAT A TALENT FOR JUNIOR LEADERSHIP DID NOT NECESSARILY TRANSLATE INTO ABILITY ON THE DRILL SQUARE!
IPNCO Cadre endurance march on Ballykinler beach
THE RIFLES