Page 17 - Bugle Autumn 2024

2 RIFLES
PJCNO CADRE
Her Majesty The Queen inspects The Cadre Watch your arcs!
At the beginning of the year, 2 RIFLES hosted the Regimental Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre, qualifying 31 Riflemen to promote to LCpl across all battalions within the Regiment. It was hosted at Magilligan Training Centre, Northern Ireland, with many students traveling from sunny Cyprus to the arduous conditions of Northern Ireland. Training
was delivered by seven experienced Corporals from 1 and 2 RIFLES, who honed the student’s leadership and core skills throughout the cadre.
The initial phase comprised a 4-week package focussing on physical training, leadership, range qualifications and instructional development. Students were tested on demanding battle PT on the beaches of Northern Ireland and on the Magilligan Training area. The students gained qualifications allowing them to act as safety supervisors on static live fire ranges and deliver blank firing exercises when they return to battalion. During this phase they also completed an Infantry right of passage, the sword lane, testing their mental resilience and ability to deliver controlled aggression when fatigued.
The winter weather on the high ground of Binevenagh Forest made the exercise phase of the Cadre particularly challenging. On the patrol exercise students completed 48 hours of back-to-back reconnaissance, standing, and
fighting patrols. Over this phase, they were tested in appointment as a Sect 2IC to identify if they possessed the aptitude to be a Lance Corporal in a Battalion.
On their return to Thiepval Barracks after completing Final Exercise, the students gained instructional qualifications, allowing them
to deliver lessons when they return to their Battalions. Their pass off parade at Thiepval Barracks was in front of Her Majesty the Queen and friends and families of the students and instructors had the opportunity to meet Her Majesty afterwards. It was a brilliant day for all involved with Rfn H. McDonald being awarded Top Student and Rfn V. Stanislaus voted Rifleman’s’ Rifleman by his peers.
Lt Ollie Flack
Cadre Officer, B Company
Their pass off parade at Thiepval Barracks was in front
of Her Majesty the Queen
The Cadre take a quick break from urban training
Students evacuate a wounded comrade during a dawn assault
RIFLES The Bugle 17