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ITC JE Course
Lt Bough, Chindit Pl Comd 2ITB
As part of Anzio Company in the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion (2ITB) we provide training for reserve courses and the Junior Entry (JE) intakes, with my own area of focus being the JE course. The JE intake consists of recruits who have already passed out of the Army Foundation College (AFC) at Harrogate and are undertaking their Infantry Initial Trade Training (ITT). Having already completed a year at AFC Harrogate the recruits have a good grasp of the basics and it is our responsibility to provide them with the training necessary to ensure they leave the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) as a fully trained Class 2 Infanteer.
The JE Combat infantry Course (CIC) is a 14-week training programme that includes lessons, range time, physical training and
6 tactical exercises. The recruits get hands on training on weapon
of the final day. Following each action the recruits receive an in-field debrief from the training team before viewing a DFWES after action review that provides them with a video of what happened during the action as well as statistics on their fire effect. This is the first demanding exercise the recruits deploy on and sets the conditions for their success for the remaining exercises.
The third exercise, URBAN EX, is a 4-day urban training package delivered at Whinny Hill OBUA village. The recruits are instructed on a variety of urban tactics, from room clearance to urban defence and receive lessons on how booby traps may be used by the enemy. They then have
a chance to put these skills to the test using simunition. Following the training phase, the recruits then move into a 24hr
in a mass attack followed by a simulated chemical attack on the defensive position. The 14-week course is rounded off with
a weeklong Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT) package followed by the 5 day FINAL EX. LFTT gave the recruits of JE2001 a chance to combine the tactical and marksmanship skills learned on the course and employ them on a number of exerc. Of note, the recruits completed an individual close quarter battle range, a fire team attack, section attack and finished on a platoon attack. The recruits of JE2001, elated with the success on LFTT then deployed on their final exercise. FINAL EX tested the skills of the recruits, during the 5-day period they were involved in a whole host of offensive and enabling actions to ensure a thorough understanding and sound application of the tactical concepts they are taught on the JE combat infantryman’s course.
Course JE2001 saw 24 MERCIAN recruits successfully meet the required standard and leave ITC for a promising future with their battalions. It is both an honour and a privilege to have had the opportunity to train infantrymen that I have no doubt will go on to achieve great things within their units.
Where social distancing is breached, there has been two weeks of controlled monitoring prior to when the photographs were taken
systems that are new to them, such as the GPMG, NLAW and UGL as well as time on the range to hone their marksmanship skills
on the rifle and GPMG. Recruits also recieve lessons explaining section and platoon level tactical actions to aid their understanding
of the role they’ll play when they arrive in battalion. Lessons are focused
at building the recruits theoretical knowledge up ahead of the tactical exercises.
The exercise culminates in two platoon advance to contacts, before a platoon level deliberate attack at dawn of the final day
summative phase where they attack the village and clear a sector.
After a two week stint in camp and on the ranges, focusing on the GPMG, the recruits then deploy on their fourth exercise, PATROLS EX. This is a weeklong exercise that focuses
on enabling actions and section/platoon level patrol actions. For the last course, JE2001, this exercise began with the occupation of a FOB, from which the platoon
The first tactical exercise the recruits undertake is INTRO EX, this is a simple two day exercise that takes place during the
first week. Its aim is to allow the training team to assess the standard the recruits are currently at, as well as to provide a “remind and revise” on the basic fieldcraft skills for the recruits.
The second exercise is ATTACK EX,
this is a 5-day exercise that focuses on offensive actions and is supported by Direct Fire Weapons Effect Simulation (DFWES). During this exercise recruits take part in section attacks, both by day and night before receiving training on platoon level offensive actions. The exercise culminates in two platoon advance to contacts, before a platoon level deliberate attack at dawn
then mounted a number of different patrols. Recruits were instructed on undertaking recce patrols and standing patrols as well as taking part in a platoon level raid and an ambush. During this exercise the recruits got a chance to use the GPMG as well as TES enabled NLAW’s.
The fifth exercise the recruits undertake
is DEFENCE EX. This is a 4-day exercise focusing on defensive actions and the CBRN threat. The recruits are taught
how to construct a fire-team trench by
the training team before digging in and constructing their own. For course JE2001 this exercise was both physically and mentally challenging, with limited sleep and constant digging the recruits learned how to hone their grit and determination when in austere conditions. The exercise culminated
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