Page 125 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Assault Pioneer Platoon
Assault Pioneer Platoon build an infantry assault bridge on STANTA during the CO’s test exercise
Since the re-introduction in February this year of an Assault Pioneer Platoon into 7 RIFLES, the platoon has been very busy. Having some legacy training and experience left within HQ Coy, the platoon was able
to hit the ground running, starting with a successful Infantry Assault Soldier Cadre (IAS) at Wyke Regis in March with 1 RIFLES. The Cadre concentrated on Explosive Method of Entry, Force Protection, Mine Warfare and CIED.
The AP platoon was also tasked with running two Obstacle Crossing Battle
Exercises during the CO’s confirmatory exercises. The first saw the platoon leading the Rifle platoons in the deployment of
the Infantry Assault Bridge over a wet
gap crossing and using Battle Simulation charges to simulate Indirect Fire (IDF) as troops were crossing. The second Ex saw the Platoon inserting section patrols across a lake using Assault boats for the Battalion’s patrol competition. These weekends proved a great opportunity for the Pioneers to demonstrate some of their capabilities to the Rifle Companies. The Platoon has also
conducted joint training with the Royal Monmouthshire Engineers, conducting live demolition training day at Casterly Dems Pit. Those that attended got to utilise the different variations of in service explosives, learning the different applications to achieve varying effects including blowing a set of crossed axes out of 1 1⁄2 inch thick steel! The Platoon is running a further IAS cadre during the ATP for twelve soldiers from the platoon. A very busy and successful start for the Platoon.
WO2 Ilsley
G Coy update, April to June 2014
With the last training year over and the frenzy of getting the last of the Company through their MATTs now a short but painful memory, we could look forward to the next year. In true Rifles fashion we were soon moving fast with the arrival of mustard keen CSjt Gav Wilmott the new SPSI. Our first weekend was what the CO calls ‘horizontal training’ held in the modern luxury accommodation of Longmoor camp. Ironically we spent little time
time. The day was topped off with a riveting fire side chat from General Patrick, previously CO of 4 RIFLES, on leadership much of which was focused on TELIC 10. We then plunged into one of the best regimental dinners I have ever attended.
May’s training was focused on the long awaited Company weekend of the 30th May at Rollestone camp on Salisbury plain.
horizontal as the weekend was structured to cater at all levels starting with low level skills for the Riflemen. For the young officers there was orders training and for all NCOs and officers
“You’re having a giraffe we will never see this kit in the TA”
With our new Guns platoon formed, our main effort was to get every one up to speed and through their WHT on the GPMG light role. As a result of a lot of previous SAA on Tuesday nights we were ahead of the curve resulting in all passing by Sunday lunch time. Just to make sure the weekend was not death by classroom we threw in a platoon attack before breakfast
an introduction to the new FIST kit. We looked
at the FIST kit with disbelief. “You’re having
a giraffe we will never see this kit in the TA”
exclaimed Dicko. “We are not in the TA any more Dicko” I told him “it is the Reserves now mate”. Every one was impressed with the new LDS, HMNVS and the 1500 metre LLM mark 3 and like kids looking in the toy shop window at Christmas we expected to be disappointed. However it started to rock up and soon, “The new sights are here and next week it will be the Glocks” Tony Finnigan the QPSI told me three weeks later. Not surprisingly everyone lost interest in their newly issued GSR.
Our next package of fun was the CLM (command leadership & management) weekend for Seniors and Officers on the 9th May. It focused on the Seven Questions, G4 as well as bringing Serjeants to terms with having to write SJARs on their riflemen for the first
commanded by 2/Lt Timo Slack the new PC of 20 Pln.
June saw us focused on the annual SAAM at Pirbright; our first task was to make sure every one had passed their WHT and their
LDS was collimated. We wanted to win badly and we knew the main competition would come from F Coy who hosted most of
the battalion shooting team. The weekend was a blinder, our OC won best officer/senior while the blokes scooped up the Section attack assessment trophy. They then annihilated the falling plates in seconds flat winning solid silver cap badges for their efforts. This was a perfect end to the quarter and a perfect beginning to the training year.
WO2 G Copp, CSM G COY
THE RIFLES
SEVENTH BATTALION 123