Page 24 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

Ri emen get to grips with the SA80 A2
WE REASSURE THEM THAT TRYING TO WALK AWAY IS THE WRONG OPTION
they will grow to like, look up to and occasionally fear over the next 6 months!
Sadly in this 21st century age that we live in, a lot of their rst week is taken up by form lling, medical checks and pay briefs. Things soon become more military though as they are issued uniform, taught how to iron it, and before long everyone is looking the part. Later in the week things really get into the army ow with an initial PFA, skill at arms with Ri e Lesson 1 and Foot Drill Lesson 1. They are therefore already on the rst rung of the ladder of two of the most important skills; being able to shoot the enemy and being t enough to get around the battle eld.
By the end of that rst week the lads have got into the groove and are starting to get used to their new surroundings and the military way of doing things. Undoubtedly there are always a few who feel homesick and we reassure them that trying to walk away is the wrong option and their perseverance and determination will lead them to the fruits of being part of the best regiment in the best army in the world. With one twenty-sixth of the course completed, the lads have a lot more to learn and a lot more to look forward to.
Major Dean Murch MBE, OC Ri es Company
Introductory Exercise Two
Introductory Exercise 2 is derived from the Common Military Syllabus (Standard Entry) Exercise First Night. It takes place in week 4 from Wednesday morning to Thursday afternoon (30 hrs) and is a recruit’s transition from ‘combat camping’ to tactical eldcraft. The aim of the exercise is to develop recruits’ eldcraft ability achieved at Intro Ex 1 by instructing, practicing and formatively assessing recruits in more demanding individual eldcraft skills.
It was in this context that Scots 5 (RIFLES) Pl deployed on their second exercise of the CIC. Blessed by unseasonably good weather on Intro Ex 1 the recruits rst challenge came in the form of the cold permanently endemic to the Catterick training area; not raining, more than just mist, with the ability to saturate even the most prepared of recruits. Despite this the roulement of tactical eld craft lessons was well received by the recruits of Scots 5. These included judging distance, target indication and re control orders. As always, the challenge of ensuring these fundamental aspects of a Ri eman’s tactical repertoire are embedded rmly, with a wide range of ability, experience and learning styles in the audience, was a challenge. However an emphasis on audience participation and active and enjoyable lesson plans seem to have set a good foundation for the majority of the platoon.
Duties of a sentry is a particularly challenging lesson to give at this time, due to the varying abilities in map reading across the platoon, but after much practice and re-teaching, range cards and sentry handovers were no longer such a mystery. Routine in general was still a work in progress for many of the recruits with the adaption to sleeping outside and administering oneself further added to with the disruption of stag throughout the night for the rst time. Even with this added challenge and with the training team beginning to turn the screw slightly with regard to the standards expected, Scots 5 Platoon acquitted themselves well with a profes- sional looking stand to at the required time.
Individual Movement and Methods of Movement lessons capped off the exercise and as well as providing essential tactical skills to the Ri emen this
Cpl Cambell takes recruits through the basics of poncho erection on Intro Ex 1
Cpl Hill conducts a eldcraft lesson on the back area
22 TRAINING
THE RIFLES