Page 71 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Op PITCHPOLE
In early February, 4 RIFLES deployed two companies on Operation PITCHPOLE,
to provide flood relief to the town of Newbury and surrounding areas.
As the weather worsened over the week the call finally came through and A Company deployed to the Forward Operating Base in Newbury, which proved slightly more luxurious than many were used to as it turned out to be the headquarters of Newbury Weekly News.
While A Company were enjoying all the delights that a very damp Newbury had to offer, it was deemed that additional manpower was required.
B Company, who at that moment in time were on exercise and deep into rehearsals for an ambush, got the call. As the order came to recover from
the training area early, the serjeants commented they had never seen a harbour area collapsed more efficiently.
As B Company deployed and started recces of the most flooded areas, it was evident that A Company had already been busy at work. OC 1 Platoon was leading the charm offensive, having already gained notoriety amongst the locals as ‘The Mayor of Lambourne Valley’.
Our efforts started with two-man recces of the worst affected areas to see where we could offer the most help. Our reports were then passed through
the Environment Agency and a platoon would be allocated to an area with a support vehicle filled with sandbags to offer as much help to stricken residents as possible. The bulk of the tasks included sandbagging and building walkways.
Throughout our time on Op PITCHPOLE we couldn’t have had
a more positive reception from the residents of Newbury. The Riflemen based in the centre of Newbury received food parcels daily from the locals and every house seemed eager to provide a full platoon’s worth of tea and biscuits. Special attention was given to pubs deemed to be at highest risk, and this was met with reciprocal generosity
by the landlords. The result was that several pubs looked more like fortified checkpoints than taverns with the numbers of sandbags neatly stacked outside.
Few had previously imagined that contingency tasks would happen so soon after emerging from the operational cycle. Op PITCHPOLE provided an excellent opportunity for 4 RIFLES to
do something different after the rigours of Afghanistan. The hospitality and gratefulness of the people of Newbury demonstrated to all members of the Battalion that the UK population remains grateful for what the Army does.
2Lt Coombs, B Company
Riflemen sandbagging in Eastbury.
PJNCO Cadre
4 RIFLES JNCO cadre formed up on Monday 20th January with 65 Riflemen, including external candidates from 1 RIFLES and 5 RIFLES. The cadre staff were carefully selected from across the Battalion to ensure the training delivered was of the highest quality. The cadre comprised eight weeks of training and assessment to ensure the successful candidates received the best training possible for the variety of A2020 roles they will fulfil.
The initial phase consisted of
a period in Rollestone Camp, purposefully removing the students from the distractions and comfort of their usual routine. They conducted training in Command, Leadership
and Management, focusing on the responsibilities of a JNCO within the barracks environment and the need
for clarity of thought in a stressful environment in the field. The students’ navigation and field craft was developed and then assessed, with pleasing results.
As the numbers started to reduce, the cadre moved onto individual training in the basic orders and estimate process, the military decision making tool. This allowed students to practice taking information, making a judgement on its relevance and importance, and then delivering the information to their subordinates. Alongside this training, we also provided the students with a basic level of instructional skills, allowing them to deliver practical or theory- based lessons to their future Riflemen.
The summative phase of the cadre took place during a ten night final exercise on Sennybridge training area, Brecon. The conditions were extremely testing throughout, with the tempo of tasks conducted high and the weather conditions typically difficult. This was a true test of not only the students’ basic soldiering ability, but also their capacity to lead and motivate their subordinates while in command. The performances of some of the Riflemen during this
final exercise were outstanding. Rfn Wilson, the Harding cane winner, commanded the platoon through a complex final attack with the confidence and resourcefulness that I would
expect from a far more senior and experienced JNCO. His natural authority and leadership style epitomises the characteristics that The Rifles expects from its JNCOs.
The pass off parade was inspected by GOC 3rd Division, Major General James Cowan CBE DSO, with 28 Riflemen receiving their first promotion. Congratulations to them all, good luck for your future careers.
Captain Si Burkill, Cadre OC
THE RIFLES
FOURTH BATTALION 69