Page 15 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

4 Platoon
Company Overview:
Pl Comd: Pl Sgt: Wr Sgt:
Lt Mitch Woodward Sgt Daniel Wright Sgt Jamie Groom
A less than conventional 2020 for 4 Platoon began with training for a deployment to Afghanistan. 4 Platoon undertook Foxhound courses to enable us to re-role from armoured infantry to protected mobility. The training consisted of vehicle specific training for drivers and commanders, then urban specific training for dismounts and crews. Very soon though, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drastic change to the Platoon workforce with soldiers sent home or often working from their rooms in the block.
COVID-19 would continue to be a significant obstacle for the Platoon through the middle of the year. Training moved from the conventional classroom, lecture theatre or field settings to computer screens and conference calls. There were challenges, but throughout 4 Platoon managed to steal various small victories from the jaws of defeat. Section commanders ran training online, the Platoon Sergeant and I delivered mission-specific conceptual training to both the Platoon and Company, and the Platoon took part in an armoured live firing package at Castlemartin Ranges in July. All this was achieved while adhering to strict restrictions to ensure our soldiers were as safe as possible.
There was then an unusual return to work after summer leave. Partly this was due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, but the main surprise for the Platoon was that we found out that we
would be deploying
to Estonia rather
than Afghanistan
in 2021.
This made
our pre-
deployment
A soldier with a Sharpshooter, Sennelager, Nov 20
Illumination on a night range, Castlemartin, Jul 20
Following this preparation, we were ready to tackle the training pathway for
Op CABRIT 8 in Estonia. Owing to the influx of brand-new soldiers 4 Platoon was inexperienced with armour. Accordingly, we looked to hit our pre-deployment training in Germany with a focus firmly on developing our armoured skills. We deployed to Sennelager for a bespoke range package from October until December, which was
training even more challenging than it usually would be. To ease the Platoon into this condensed training cycle, 4 Platoon took part in a Company-led ‘soft landing’ exercise on Salisbury Plain straight after summer leave. Soldiers from the Platoon returned to work and began to practise the basics of fieldcraft and basic skills that many had not touched since before the pandemic. It was a fantastic opportunity to go back to basics with soldiering and hone our ‘green’ skills.
This training included
urban drills, section
attacks and navigation
with more experienced
JNCOs and senior
soldiers leading lessons.
4 Platoon had also
received large numbers
of brand-new soldiers
from ITC Catterick
during lockdown. Again, this meant that when delivering lessons, we heavily
relied on our experienced soldiers to help develop those more
junior than them so they could gain the most value from the
training being delivered.
designed to ensure
It was a fantastic opportunity to go back to basics with soldiering and hone our ‘green’ skills
all the brand-new Warrior crews were current and competent. Many of the junior private soldiers had been rapidly trained in either Warrior gunnery or driving; this has seen a lot of responsibility placed on the shoulders of several very junior soldiers and I have been
delighted to see how they have flourished.
I remained endlessly impressed with the maturity of my soldiers, their tenacity to
get better at the basics and to make the most of the opportunities provided to them. I am sure that they will do the Platoon,
the Company and the Battalion proud in Estonia next year.
Live firing from a Bulldog, Sennelager, Nov 20
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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