Page 93 - The Bugle 2018

Mortar Cadre
The aim of the cadre was to train soldiers selected from the Rifle Companies and make them the finest Mortarmen in the British Army. The cadre consisted of basic mortar lessons about ammunition, drills and other role specific lessons. Students conducted exercises learning how to operate the mortar in offensive, defensive, rural and urban environments.
One of the biggest tests for soldiers moving to Fire Support Company was the shock of having to carry the kit which weighs approximately 65kg. This proved to be one of the most strenuous parts of the cadre. Exercise HEAVY CARRY saw the soldiers carrying their personal equipment as well as their mortar kit for 6 miles in under 2 hours. Upon completion of this arduous march, they had to set up the mortars and fire on a fire plan fatigued and under the stress of a simulated company advance to contact.
The cadre concluded with the Mortar Platoons of 5 and 7 RIFLES joining together on the final week to
carry out the live firing package. The live firing saw Mortarmen, both new and experienced, firing high explosive, white phosphorus and illumination rounds in increasingly complex scenarios to qualify them as Mortarmen.
12 of the 15 Mortarman candidates completed the full cadre to a high standard and should be proud of themselves as they move in to the mature and highly professional Mortar Platoon.
Serjeant Francis
Section Commander, Mortar Platoon
Riflemen from 5 and 7 RIFLES working together to fire the mortar
5 RIFLES Recce Cadre: A Rifleman’s perspective
The Yorkshire Dales, normally known for its peaceful walks and stunning views was this year the arena for soldiers of 5 RIFLES wishing to earn their place in the Reconnaissance Platoon. After two weeks intensive pre-training on Salisbury plain the cadre deployed north.
Candidates from various companies, all with different levels of experience, were tasked to covertly locate a militia that had infiltrated the rural population. The hopeful Riflemen commenced locating and understanding a possible enemy network all the while blending into the civilian population. Tracking the enemy forces, the Platoon followed and took up position in a patrol base to find, locate and report on their dispositions and recommend how best to defeat them.
The platoon developed their skills to make sure they could operate as effective members of tight-knit teams including contact drills, patrolling and reporting. Being able to operate within a small team means that each member of the team has a crucial and interchangeable role and must be prepared to step up into a new role at any time.
We moved into the likely enemy area, setting up observation posts to observe the enemy from a hidden location whilst feeding back live information to the rear battlegroup formulating a plan of attack. After a period observing the enemy from afar, and at night moving up close to the position, the teams exfiltrated back to their patrol base to formulate plans for a strike operation. The teams then took part in briefing Brigadier Maddan and formulated a plan for a strike operation. This was executed utilising an Apache squadron overhead, clearing the buildings whilst ensuring the safety of a high value target.
Similar phases over four weeks meant individuals truly earnt their place in the Reconnaissance Platoon. After the final raid, with a high value target secure and the enemy clear the Riflemen awaited what they
had all sought after over the past 2 months; the coveted recce patch and the right to call themselves reconnaissance soldiers. These were presented by Field Marshal Lord Inge KG GCB PC DL at the victory breakfast.
From subsurface observation posts for days at a time to night time raids, the difficulty of the course has not only ensured the soldiers have the skills and drive necessary to be a reconnaissance soldier but also the spirit to move forward and tackle any challenge ahead.
Rifleman S Clarke, Reconnaissance Platoon
“TIME SPENT IN RECONNAISSANCE IS SELDOM WASTED”
The Good Life
THE RIFLES
FIFTH BATTALION 99