Page 50 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

Dec 2019 – last time the ITC Chosen Men
had a gathering prior to COVID-19
A Platoon Commander Point of View
Course 1913 commenced late January 2020 and were lucky to have completed the majority of Basic phase before COVID-19 started to impact us and before all recruits were sent home on recall after just over two months at ITC. The key issue which we would inevitably face upon our return would be the
substantial skills and knowledge fade as a result of the recruit’s interruption to training.
As a solution, what was coined ‘Distance Learning’ was established experimenting
as we went, utilising a variety of platforms from Facebook, Google Classroom to Zoom,
in effect trialling and delivering specially crafted lessons each day with our only limit to training delivery being our imagination.
After two months of Distance Learning, training recommenced at ITC, with the recruits back onto the ranges in prepara- tion for their first Annual Combat Marks- manship Test (ACMT), as well as the key milestone of the drill test and completing Basic phase. With Regimental headdress awarded, Advanced phase launched forward,
immersing the recruits into the art of what being an Infanteer is all about, albeit with some social distancing.
A fast a furious pace to the finish line during the Advanced phase, a two-week Live Fire Tactical Training and Final Exercise completed the CIC for 1913 prior to passing out to their respective units.
Training teams are close knit groups and it’s with absolute certainty of not only my own, but the wider RIFLES representation at ITC that the quality of NCO’s undertaking postings here are some of the best we have to offer and are an absolute credit to the regiment.
Lt Chris Horne
(Platoon Commander) 1 RIFLES
A fast a furious pace to the finish line during the Advanced phase
Lt Horne’s Platoon conducting
early morning routine
RIFLES TRAINING COY OVERVIEW
It has been a rather unique year at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) and within
the RIFLES Training Company especially for our next generation of Riflemen conducting training within the current COVID climate and enforced restrictions. No one could foresee recruits and Permanente Staff being sent home for over two months and the frictions and constraints this would create.
However, like all forward-thinking flexible Riflemen the RIFLES Permanente Staff (PS) Instructors only seen the restrictions as a challenge to overcome and immediately began to identify ways in which distance learning training could be delivered whilst maintaining high standards of instruction. This went through numerous iterations with an immediate delivery system through Facebook utilising already established closed groups researched by Sjt Tolley (5 RIFLES) which
allowed the time and space for other options to be identified. I was immensely impressed during the distance learning months with the JNCO’s creativity and imagination as distance learning methods began to mature and evolve with Cpl Mehers (5 RIFLES) at the forefront of creativity and delivery.
Now back to business as usual but under COVID restrictions we are at full capacity with 400 recruits within the Company and currently 248 Riflemen in training throughout ITC. Who knows what next year will bring however what I do know is that the RIFLES PS at ITC are ready as always to accept and face any challenge which may arise in true RIFLES tradition? Swift and Bold.
Maj N Lindley
(Officer Commanding) RIFLES
50 RIFLES The Bugle