Page 38 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

Battle Inoculation in 104 Military Working Dog Squadron
by Pte Jamie Agnew
As a Patrol (PTL) Dog Handler within 104 Military Working Dog (MWD) Sqn, I took part in the Squadron’s Battle Inoculation training with my MWD Lucy. The training was arranged to further develop our MWD’s ability to work in the field and took place every Thursday from October until December 2021. The training started with simple drills and progressed up to full scale section attacks. The final session was reviewed by the Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) to assess each MWD’s progress.
The training started by familiarising our MWDs around the weapon system. This was carried out with basic weapon handling drills, for example: making ready; releasing the working parts; and magazine changes were repeatedly executed to evaluate how the MWDs reacted. We found that some of the MWDs did overreact to the noise, whilst others were neutral to it. The
training was tailored to each MWD on an individual basis, therefore, those that required more work on the basics were allocated as much time as needed. Once all the dogs were non-reactive with the static weapon handling drills, we could continue onto movements, raising and lowering the weapon system while incorporating the weapon handling drills. We continued to build up the noise and movements on a weekly basis, but only once we were satisfied that every MWD was comfortable at each stage. The final element was a tactical bound with a cover-man into a contact.
Having control over the MWD was paramount while moving towards the enemy and getting into a firing position. Where we could, we added in additional distractions for the MWDs such as smoke and practice grenades.
We have now built our MWDs up to a stage where we can manoeuvre
around in the battlefield comfortably and with full control of the MWD. Each MWD team was individually reviewed by the SSM on the final session, using specific tests and graded. Feedback was provided following each test with any further improvements that could be made. Overall, the training has provided the fundamentals we need to deploy on operations and exercises. All
the PTL handlers are now much more confident in operating with their MWD and it was enjoyable to see the progression of each MWD. Vast improvements were made throughout.
Due to the success of the training programme, we are going to continue with the Battle Inoculation sessions on a weekly basis, ensuring that we continue to develop our MWD teams.
Kicking the way into Army Martial Arts
RAVC Reserves get a sports recognition boost as 101 Military Working Dog
(Reserve) Sqn member becomes first ever RAVC personnel to be accepted into the Army Taekwondo Team.
Lockdown was a difficult time for many but also a time for others to find new passions and rekindle old ones.
For LCpl Ben Burrell of 101 MWD Sqn, this found him taking up his old passion of the Ancient Korean Martial Art: Taekwondo.
For those who don’t know, Taekwondo is a dynamic, exciting and effective self-defence system. It consists of blocks, strikes, punches, high impact kicks, flexibility and board breaking techniques; the word Taekwondo literally translates as the way of the foot and the fist.
It has been made famous in recent 36 / Chiron Calling
years due to Team GB’s Olympic successes in the alternate form World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) as opposed to the more traditional International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) which LCpl Burrell practices.
Classes typically consist of fitness exercises, punching and kicking pads, self-defence drills, sparring, artistic patterns and stretching, which are all designed to help students progress through a traditional ITF syllabus, from beginner through to Black Belt and beyond.
Starting again didn’t come without its challenges. With the help of his old club, Bytomic Taekwondo based in the South East of England, LCpl Burrell adapted to training online and even progressed through belt gradings. Missing the contact element of the sport he got in touch
with the Army Sports Control Board and was put in touch with Captain Stuart Vaughn-Wordingham who runs the Army ITF Taekwondo Team.
LCpl Ben Burrell said “This a great honour for me and one off my tick list to be part of a national team. I’m about to prepare for
the interservice championships
in February and hopefully bring home some medals for the RAVC, I’m looking to gain entry onto the National Champs in the future.”