Page 124 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Recruiting - Op FORTIFY
The Op FORTIFY surge has been in
place for 10 months and we continue to build on the impetus across Community Engagement (CE), Employer Support
(ES) and recruiting. These three Lines
of Operation are inextricably linked,
with many of our recruiting events simultaneously generating support in other areas. The support of our paired Battalion has been critical to our achievements so far, the Riflemen on secondment from 2 RIFLES have been pounding the streets daily clutching the Queen’s shilling in search of potential recruits. Our recruiting strategy has seen the teams at a huge variety of locations and events from local ‘skirmishing’ to a stand at Aldershot Military Festival in much larger numbers. There is still an appetite to interact with the military by the general public and
a broad range of questions fired at the recruiters; the recruiters are now adept at answering these questions whilst briefly outlining Future Reserves 2020! It is no
secret that the online application process has been a slow starter but with excellent co-operation from Recruiting Group
and a positive attitude from the National Recruiting Centre (NRC) obstacles are being removed, lowered or on occasion, kicked over. The recruiting pipeline currently relies heavily on nurturing those that have expressed an interest in joining or those who have
are everywhere; in all walks of life and all shapes and sizes. To be in with a chance of recruiting on the ground, the recruiter needs to be approachable, articulate and imaginative. He needs to know how to spot potential in a random encounter, how to articulate “the offer” when to move
on if there is no interest and always on watch for additional potential recruiting
already applied online.
7 RIFLES has invested
heavily in the nurturing
phase by injecting
manpower, time and
enthusiasm into the
process and this
investment is showing a positive return with fifty attestations so far this year.
Finding suitable people between 18 and 43 is still proving to be quite a challenge and several months into Op FORTIFY it
is clear that they do not hang around in herds waiting to be recruited but they
opportunities. One
of the strap lines
at 7 RIFLES is that everyone is a recruiter - if every Riflemen recruited one person into the Battalion we would be at over 115%
manning in a very short period of time. One thing that we do have in our favour is “The Rifles brand” which is widely known on the street and is recognised as a professional body that punches above its weight both at home and on Ops.
Capt Paul Woolman
Finding suitable people between 18 and 43 is still proving to be quite a challenge
7 RIFLES recruiting team
Ex SCOTTISH BUGLE
Prior to the mobilisation of 7 RIFLES personnel in support of 2 and 5 RIFLES on Op HERRICK 20, the Battalion ran a Battle- camp in Barry Buddon and Garelochhead Training Areas in September 2013. Training was centred on core infantry skills with an understanding that any role specific training would
be provided in pre-deployment training. The end state was to create confident Riflemen, ready to take
Company operations in Garelochhead, which offered a challenging environment in which to train. The terrain is arduous with steep hills, bogs and dense woodblocks making cross- country movement difficult. The Scottish weather in September did not disappoint and single figure temperatures were a surprise to those of us who had been enjoying the heat wave
their place in a formed Battle Group and commence pre-deployment training. The exercise consisted of two phases: a live firing package up to section level, followed by dry training to Company level and aimed to be both progressive and challenging. During
Heavy rain and wind all helped to ensure that the exercise was testing
of southern England. Heavy rain and wind all helped to ensure that the exercise was testing, reinforcing the requirement for good personal administration. The undulating terrain and dense woodblocks made
radio communications very challenging
and the siting of harbours with adequate communications proved difficult. By the end
the first three days of the live firing it was
apparent the basic marksmanship standard was good and a high first time pass rate was achieved in the individual weapons tests. The Company moved through a progressive package of moving target, close quarter battle (CQB) and individual battle skills ranges prior to the start of live firing tactical training up to section level.
The second phase of the exercise focussed on dismounted
of the FTX the platoon had occupied harbours and conducted a range of operations up to CT1 level including: standing, fighting and recce patrols; platoon ambush; advance to contact and deliberate attacks. In addition, commanders had been tested
in navigation, orders and battle prep, as well as the essential command and leadership skills they will need on operations. Capt Nathan Horsman, Ops O (now OC HQ Coy)
122 SEVENTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES