Page 20 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

3 RIFLES Sniper Operators Course
3 RIFLES Sniper Operators Course formed up early on a cold, wet January morning in Warminster with 14 Riflemen keen to prove themselves worthy of a place amongst the regiment’s elite marksmen.
Phase 1 began with a skill at arms package, teaching the fundamental aspects of the British Army’s L115A3 (.338) Rifle, and tough physical preparation for the weeks of endurance and hardship to come.
Making the most of the infamous Senny- bridge Training Area, Phase 2 focused on the seven essential skills of a Sniper; navigation, concealment, observation, stalking, judging distance, shooting and marksmanship knowledge.
The Riflemen deployed on long and arduous exercises that pushed them to both their mental and physical limits. Tested at every point, they would be expected to race through tough navigation exercises in the relentless Welsh weather carrying exception- ally heavy equipment, only to face exhausting written tests and problem-solving exercises before they could finish.
Having given everything to come so far, the Riflemen faced badge week. Here they would have to draw on every ounce of their tactical, theoretical and intuitive ability to pass all summative tests – or face enduring the full course again. Culminating in a live stalk and
assessment shoot the future of these Riflemen as elite marksmen rested on just one squeeze of the trigger. Targets went down and as new snipers were welcomed into their platoons, concluding another testing but successful Sniper Operators Course.
At the ranges
3 RIFLES Sniper Cadre
Anti-tank Cadre
The Anti-Tank cadre set out with a highly ambitious agenda and a focus on further developing
a STRIKE ethos. Moving away from more traditional offensive and defensive operations, Riflemen were encouraged
to think adaptively, endure
uncertainty and react quickly
to an indistinct battle picture.
To foster this mentality, the
cadre seamlessly blended
high intensity combat serials
with Chinook transport, a
640 mile tactical road move,
pontoon crossings, boat
exfiltration and a gruelling
exercise on the most north-westerly tip of Scotland – in the middle of winter!
The cadre encouraged students and staff alike to think anew on both the oppor- tunities and frictions of STRIKE, greatly improving their effectiveness and lethality. Whilst no one will be in a hurry to return to Cape Wrath, the cadre set a fantastic
precedent
for future 3 RIFLES exercises and injected great enthusiasm amongst the riflemen. The suggestion, however, that they should be taught to hot-wire cars (naturally only in case of operational emergency) will be left up to the training officer.
20 RIFLES The Bugle
How far?
Setting off from Faraid Head