Page 44 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

LCpl Stanton-Humphreys (right) delivering Covid-19
mobile testing in Slough during Op RESCRIPT
In March 2020, over 100 volun-
teers from 7 RIFLES offered
to help as the nation went
into battle with COVID-19. Of
these, 80 were mobilised, becoming Alma Company: a composite sub-unit composed not only of infanteers but also musicians, medics and clerks, Regular and Reserve. There were immense challenges faced, notably the question of training. Through technology, creativity and the tenacity
of personnel at all levels, Alma Company overcame these challenges and what was once alien became business as usual to all.
In May, Alma Company was tasked to support efforts against COVID-19 in the South East of England. The company forward- mounted in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, where personnel conducted mission-specific training; learning how to operate Mobile Testing Units (MTUs), which were operating throughout the country. Alma Company facilitated COVID-19 testing in the Thames Valley and Surrey. The priorities were always clear: to make sure everyone was properly trained for the task
at hand and to always protect our people by sticking to what was taught.
After three weeks on task, Alma Company were dismissed after a job well done. Responsible for three teams, a Strategic National Reserve and Mobile Response Team, the company delivered tests to 5113 people. Reservists suit this task perfectly: all have a civilian life and could interact in a far more relaxed and comfortable manner than that of a young soldier who may have only recently left basic training. Members of the public even sent thank-you messages through to the duty phones which they had been instructed to ring to speak to our personnel through their car windows!
It was an extraordinary and challenging few months. The innovation and willingness to “dig in” from every single member of the Company, however, meant that the operation was a resounding success.
Major Connor Maxwell OC Alma Company
Rfn Steel administering
a test at an MTU in Oxfordshire
44 RIFLES The Bugle
Rfn Boheimer (left), Rfn Marks (middle) and
More Than Just a ROG
Mid-March saw three things happen for 7 RIFLES. Whilst approximately 30% of the battalion (130 Riflemen, including the CO and most bn staff) deployed on Op TOSCA, the same number stepped forward for rapid distributed mobilisation on Op RESCRIPT and a third similar grouping continued training, managing our recruit and applicant pipeline and delivering against our standing tasks. By assisting forward elements on peacekeeping and MACA tasks, whilst pushing warfighting training, the ROG had become more than just a ROG – with 60% plus committed to two separate operations in two different countries.
Whilst TOSCA and RESCRIPT developed and endured, our ‘untasked’ Riflemen were dispersed under orders and so during ‘lockdown’ we stepped up our virtual training to ensure readiness would never be too
far away. Our whole force of Civil Servants, Reservists and Regulars were spread over continents, countries and counties: all leaning forward and maximising the use
of available technology and government safety guidance to continue to work whilst protecting the force.
July saw us return to somewhere close to our old normal as we carefully reopened Army Reserve Centres and training areas under
Ex PENINSULA BUGLE – continuing to
conduct conventional training in the UK
OPERATION
RESCRIPT (MAR – JUN 20)