Page 178 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Melbourne University Regiment has continued a high tempo of diverse training activities while participating in a range of notable ceremonial events this year.
The year commenced with a parade at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance
for graduating Officer Cadets. This was followed in April by the Regiment marching through the City of Melbourne to the Shrine as part of the annual Anzac Day parade following a Dawn Service at the University of Melbourne Cenotaph.
during this period whereby our Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs), used by Motorised Infantry, were brought in to enhance the cadets’ experience and exposure.
The second and final batch of progression courses was run as usual in the late June
to early August period. This sees a number of the cadets within Monash Company go away for the respective residential Training Blocks 1-5, where they learn new skills and are assessed from Section Member through
LTCOL Michelle Ager (former CO), COL Ross Bastiaan and MAJGEN Hon Justice Greg Garde, (Honorary Colonel) at the dedication of the first two plaques at University of Melbourne.
MUR as an instructor. After completing a tour of Afghanistan in 2007, followed by extensive experience in the 1st Battalion’s Reconnaissance Platoon, CPL Mundy understands the importance of delivering realistic training to course attendees and providing a modern context for proven foundational skills. “It’s not just about sitting through PowerPoint presentations. You can’t become complacent when it comes to the basics. You have to be vigilant. You have to understand the weapon systems that you use, as well as the weapon systems that your mates use. Situations change rapidly and you have to be able to adapt. I have found that I’ve been able to provide multiple modern examples of Infantry minor tactics from Afghanistan that have enhanced the training programs we deliver.”
Summerton Company is responsible for the delivery of driver courses (Land Rover, Unimog and Tactical Operations) and
has successfully completed two suites of these courses this year. To meet a critical
The Cenotaph was also the scene of an historic gathering
in May when the Regiment witnessed the unveiling and dedication of the first two of
The New Year saw a number of new faces around the Company
to Platoon Commander, depending where
they are on the FAC Continuum. As a
result the July training weekend provided
a rare opportunity
for some Adventure
Melbourne University Regiment
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Margaret Sorial Second in command: Major Brian Smith
Adjutant: Captain Clarence Perrett
RSM: Warrant Officer Class One Paul Bodsworth, OAM
five plaques to be completed by world renowned orthodontist turned sculptor, Colonel Ross Bastiaan. First plaques commemorate the Regiment and World War 1. Subsequent plaques, now in creation, will commemorate later conflicts. That evening the Regiment and our Association enjoyed an annual dinner with the key note address by eminent historian, Geoffrey Blainey.
Monash Company is responsible for
the Officer Cadets under training in the First Appointment Course (FAC). As the Company moves towards the later part of yet another busy year of the FAC Officer Training, it’s great to be able to take pause and reflect. The New Year saw a number of new faces around the Company and with them came another serving of enthusiasm. It wasn’t long into the year before the Company was proud to again celebrate the commissioning of five of its most senior Officer Cadets having returned from their final Training Block at the Royal Military College - Duntroon in Canberra. The event was marked with a formal parade held at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne with family and friends joining in the celebration.
In mid March, Monash Company conducted the first of our nine field training weekends planned for 2014 at our local Military Training Area in Puckapunyal. This exercise practiced the Officer Cadets in section level infantry minor tactics and allowed for the usual ‘shaking of cobwebs’. With the mid year courses period fast approaching the Company surged ahead
in conducting field training weekends
in April, May and Jun. These weekends practised the Officer Cadets in Platoon level operations by day and night both offensive and defensive in nature. The Officer Cadets were also exposed to mounted operations
Training. So planning went ahead and
in mid July the Company packed their
bags and headed to the most southern point on the Australian mainland, Wilsons Promontory National Park. Despite the freezing conditions, almost constant rain and gale force winds the men and women of Monash Company soldiered on. The cadets conducted a 50 metre abseil both backwards and forwards of Mt Oberon (the highest peak in the national park) as well
as various pack marching activities and leadership based discussions. The weekend was an excellent opportunity to insert some diversity in the training schedule and was certainly well received.
shortage of qualified drivers within the Reserve the Company is now preparing to pilot the delivery of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle driver course in November
following on from the issue of these vehicles to Reserve Light Cavalry units. Drawing
on the enthusiasm and initiative of junior NCOs in the Company, a shooting team has also been stood up to compete at this years Victorian Shield Brigade competition in October. The team comprises members across all ranks and sub-units of the Regiment. The other role for Summerton Company is recruiting which has been constant with in excess of 40 new enlistees in the first six months of the year; with over 30 of these being new Officer Cadets. This ensures continued viability and growth looking into the future.
From all of us at Melbourne University Regiment, we appreciate the opportunity to share with you a bit about our training this year and wish you all the very best in going forward. Good luck and good soldiering.
In Mid July, shortly
after our return from
Wilsons Promontory,
we again gathered to
celebrate our newest
graduates. This time
around we held a
parade at the University of Melbourne followed by a gathering at the Regimental Headquarters at our depot in Carlton where we welcomed the graduates into the Officers Mess with their friends and family.
Training Company has seen some
great results over the course of this
year. Responsible for generating a good proportion of the Reserve’s Infantry
and Light Cavalry soldiers, experienced instructors are required to impart as much of their knowledge as they can to the most junior members of the Australian Defence Organisation.
Whilst the training schedule for Reserve Infantry and Light Cavalry hasn’t undergone major changes over the past decade, the Afghanistan conflict has definitely shaped the way training is delivered. CPL Brendan Mundy has recently been posted into
the Afghanistan conflict has definitely shaped the way training is delivered
176 ALLIANCES
THE RIFLES