Back to basics
Staffordshire battle camp tests troops’ mettle
Lieutenant Alex Gale RLC
Brigade troops have conducted a
testing ‘battle camp’ in Staffordshire
to hone their basic soldiering skills.
The camp, held at Swynnerton
training area, was made up of
various training serials delivered to
a total of 96 soldiers from the ARRC
Support Battalion.
The emphasis was on completing
‘back to basics’ training, with the
Battle Craft Syllabus as the golden
thread throughout. The idea was to
draw upon the wealth of knowledge
from SMEs within the diverse range
of capbadges in the Battalion. It
also aimed to give the troops the
opportunity to learn new things about
trades and roles that they wouldn’t
normally use in their everyday work.
TESTING
Throughout the eight days, there was
an element of competition requiring
the commanders and junior soldiers
from each section to enhance their
own personal leadership skills.
Throughout this phase, there was
always the real-life support location,
providing 24-hour maintenance which
included a field kitchen to 217 Royal
Signals Squadron.
An Infantry SME conducted a ‘GPMG’
machine gun familiarisation stand,
with Lance Corporal Jitan Rai (RGR)
explaining the various parts of the
weapon system and how it functions.
Following this was the section attack
serial. First, receiving a lesson on the
phases of a section attack before
doing a walk-through talk-through,
before carrying out a full section
attack on an enemy position.
@comd1SigBde
The Royal Engineers of Power Troop
led a series of lessons on methods and
types of demolition, as well as vehicle
search and moving down a lane safely
using Vallon mine detectors.
The Light Aid Detachment from the
REME demonstrated how to recover
vehicles in arduous conditions, which
the troops enjoyed as they clambered
through deep mud in the Cross-
Country Driving Area.
Corporal Dave Taylor (RLC) led the
Cross-Country Driving stand, giving
troops from all capbadges the
opportunity to practice their driving
skills in Land Rovers over rough
terrain. The vehicles were also used
by Lance Corporal Tam Thapa and
Private Bikash Rai (QOGLR) during
the art of vehicle camouflage and the
importance of concealment.
BATTLE DRILLS
Sergeant Suman Ghale (QGE) led
the CBRN training, with an in-depth
lesson culminating in a scenario
where a chemical attack has occurred
and a casualty evacuation needed
to take place.
The obstacle course was utilised
to diversify physical training, firstly
tackling each obstacle one by one
before then doing a best effort timed
run through in webbing and helmet.
All sections competed against each
other in the watermanship stand led
by Sergeant Suman, building rafts
and racing against other sections in
the water training area, and observed
by both the Commanding Officer and
Signal Brigade Commander.
Finally, under Corporal Biju Gurung
(QOGLR), the troops were broken down
into pairs, where they then carried out
a timed navigation exercise around
the training area, ensuring that they
used their map reading skills to the
best of their ability.
1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade
The Signal Brigade is based at Imjin Barracks where it commands, prepares
and generates forces which are held at high states of readiness, to support
current and future operations all over the world. The brigade units deliver
Command Support (capabilities which assist commanders in the exercise
of command), Communications Information Systems, and Real Life Support
(accommodation, power, medical support, feeding) to formations including:
NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), the Joint Rapid Reaction Force,
the Vanguard Aviation Force, the Air Assault Task Force, the Vanguard
Field Hospital, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
the imjin SUMMER 2019
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