Blog 10 : The End of Phase 1 Training

Hi to all,

Here is a brief overview of week 13, this was the final exercise week, you'r not tested so to speak but you are expected to act like a regular soldier would on exercise. The situation is made as real as possible with regards to current operations in around the world.

The first 2 nights we were in a FOB (forward operating base) the same as you would find on a live tour, complete with current style sangers and hesco walls. As I lay in my tent looking out the door it looked so real, it was so realistic that I could not help but imagine that I was in Afghanistan.

The main structure of this exercise was to protect the FOB and carry out clearance patrols, standing, close target, reconnaissance and fighting. Our objective was to observe the enemy and contact if required.

We had 3 rotating tasks, guard, QRF (Quick Reaction Force) and patrol. Each were 3 hours in rotation throughout the day and night. I am sure you can imagine you don't get much in the way of sleep. Probably 4 hours of sleep a night in 1 hour intervals if you are not on guard you are waiting to be sent out with the QRF.

The situation is made as real as possible but instead of live rounds we used blanks. The corporals were operating as section commanders and lead the attacks. We were attacked several times a day, each time we had to carry our fire and manoeuvre drills in order to suppress the enemy. This was probably the best and most exciting training that I have completed since joining the army. The hardest was patrolling to and from the FOB under full weight of kit, with the last 2 nights living completely out in the field.

I have found and College and the army bursary scheme an excellent training asset for me. If you take on leadership roles in college and work hard on your teamwork skills, these skills will definitely help especially if you are nominated as 2IC.

I had previously learnt the structure of the final attack sequence that was used in training last week, on the army look at life course that I attended whist at college.

Imagine how I felt when I was given my final test initiative, and I realised that I previously being given the structure during training at college/bursary, believe me It gives you a massive edge.

Tips:

The tips for this week are simple but very important, focus every minute as you never know when or what event will unfold.

Get as much sleep as you can, you'll get a few hours here and there.
If you get 30 mins down time get your admin squared away, get in your doss bag and sleep.

Once again ... and just as important enjoy your training, you should hopefully only complete phase 1 training once in your life so try and enjoy every minute.

That's about it, take care and hope to see you sometime in the next 2 weeks.

Rob

Blog 9 : The end of phase one is in sight

Up-date week 12.

Hi to all,

Just like when I was in college I’m fighting off complacency. As the end is near it is easy to switch off thinking that you have made it through. I have found that in reality this never happens you must give your all right up until the end. Anyway here's what we have done this week.

At the start we had a pyrotechnics day, we learnt about different types if grenade how to throw them and what damage they are capable of. We also had the chance to practice with drill grenades (inert but they still bang) and use smoke grenades. We also learnt how to escape from an ambush, using smoke grenades as a diversion and cover. In addition to the above we covered eating and drinking drills whilst we were clad in CBRN (chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear) kit.

We had our CFT (combat fitness test) in this you have to TAB (tactical advance to battle ) 6 miles Which has to be completed in under 90 minutes caring 15kg this was not so difficult as we had already done the route previously with more weight. For readers back at college the D of E or and the lakes training week you will find that this is ideal preparation for service life, as long as you keep practicing which is not easy. We had to complete the static lift which is a jerry can test cheekily thrown in at the end of the CFT to see if you have anything left when you think that you are physically drained, or for the want of a better phrase blowing out our arse.

The obstacle course with webbing and weapon was our next task; we had done this before however with your rifle swinging round your neck and the added weight of your webbing you are in a completely new dimension. Next was live fire and movement on the range, this exercise was for me the most daunting, due to the fact that you had a team behind you with a loaded rifle, trust and belief in training was put to the ultimate test.

We ompleted the map reading written test and then finally we completed the PFT (personal fitness test). As students you will more than likely have done this on taster days together with press ups sit ups and a 1.5 mile run.

If you put the effort in at college you will find things relatively easy when you are in training for real. You are only required to complete 44 press ups and 50 sit ups to pass; if you aim for 60-60 at College you'll smash it during training.

As you can tell throughout the weeks there is a comparison with my training here and your training back in college. You probably will not have done the jerry can test however if you have carried your bags up and down the lane to Linnet Clough, you could consider that this is practice for service tests in your future training.

Leadership skills, command, control, communication and team work are a massive part of every week here.

Tips:

Don't be complacent or laid back just because the end is near. I witnessed this in college in the final year; there were a many students who were simply not putting in any effort in at the end of the course. You need to make sure that you are as keen as you were at linnet and keep your focus and motivation going through to the end. As with everything try your best stays focused and keep going.

Make sure your map reading skills are tip top, if you do you'll be head and shoulders above the rest in service training. College gives you the opportunity to come to places like this and shine, (without being cocky) so go for it put the effort in and enjoy the rewards.

All the Best

Rob

Post 8 : Adventure Training Brecon and the Black Mountains

This week we have been to Wales for adventure training. It's not been far off from what you do in the 2nd year of the college course.

Here's a list of activities with a quick explanation of what you can do for each.
First off hill walking: we had a 2 day hill walking and map reading activity to do up the hills in brecon beacons area (the SAS selection takes place out here)
We had to navigate and lead legs of the walk following a route on a map, pace and time keeping needs to be spot on.

We spent a night out camping in a valley which was brilliant as we got about 14 hours sleep.

Our rucksacks must never weigh less than 25-30 kg.

The navigation skills you gain within college mean that you will excel during training whist other will find this phase of training very difficult.

Another activity was rock climbing. If you choose to do rock climbing in college when you are here again you will be flying up the climb it gives you a chance to show off your knowledge and impress your section commanders. For example tying the re-threaded figure 8 knot and belaying properly.

We also went caving; the main thing about this activity is the whole team work together. It’s so dark you can't see past your nose and you have to scramble through holes and over cracks in the cave floor, working together is essential, no one wants to become a real life casualty.

Kayaking is also an option however, this wasn't on my programme so I didn't do it, but as above if you do it in college you will excel during training.

Tips:

Enjoy Linnet Clough It's the weeks like this that actually bring you close together as a team, enjoy it I did.

If you join a service, use all your skills from college wisely, don't be smug because you know more than others, help others and show you’re a team player.

All the best

Rob.

Post 7 : Following leave the pressure was on to complete .....

Hi to all,
This is just a quick message on what we did on exercise this week. I wrote a long detailed list last night about what we have done, and then I pressed the wrong button on my I phone and deleted the entire email .. Gutted !

I returned back to the RMP training depot on Sunday. Almost immediately we were preparing our kit and then we were on a multi-day military exercise, in which we had to pass all elements or risk failure or worse face the possibility of being back-trooped.

We went out on patrol carrying all our kit which included webbing, rifle, burgeon all of which weighs in access of 60 kg
We set up harbour areas with shell scrapes in under an hour with day and night centenary positions to maintain.

We had many lessons in which we had to pass the tests or face being back trooped. The tests were - camouflage and concealment in this we had to use cam cream and foliage to blend in to the natural surrounding then hide in a fire position without being found. (With a bright yellow safety device (BFA) fitted to our weapons the task was difficult)

We also had lessons and tests on target indication and judging distance on this we had to identify the enemy and give a target indication to our section. For example "section left of arc 550m hut bottom left of hut enemy watch my tracer" in other words on your left there is a hut 550m away the bottom left of that is the enemy. Watch my tracer – a tracer is a round that glows when fired it allows you to what direction you have fired? We also had an observation test where we had to identify 12 hidden objects in the field some were 5 meters away and others were hidden up to 10 t20 meter away.

We also had to pass fire and movement tests, basically we were working as a team of 2 we were tasked to advance on an enemy position, we moved in bounds giving covering fire as we moved forward. A number of teams failed this exercise and had to retake the test; if they failed the second attempt they are back trooped.

We also had inspections every morning; we were given an hour to clean our rifles (in the rain. Rain = rust .. Lots of rust!) we had to cook breakfast, and wash the hardest part is getting the cam cream off (baby wipes are a massive help) we also cleaned our mugs, mess tins, feet and polished our boots. Once complete we had to and lay all our kit out ready for inspection.

The above tasks are completed with little to no sleep due to staging on and off for guard duty. We were also getting attacked every night which results in being given a stand to order till last light.

For those who are going to Linnet Clough You'll soon be in the same position as me, doing your room inspection getting your kit laid out in the morning with hardly any sleep and working till its pitch black.

On the last night had to “Bug Out” which means pack your kit up and patrol through the night to different position whist under attack.

If we didn't try hard enough we were running up hills with our rifle and webbing on, the hills round her make the Linnet hills look flat. If we still do things wrong we are running up and down all day.. You'll soon see what I mean by running up and down all day.

Tips:
In every minute of the hardest hour on the hardest day always put in 110% and show the desire to be where you are.

If you’re told to walk somewhere, make sure you run, if your told to run somewhere sprint, if your told to sprint make sure you sprint as fast as your legs will take you.

Be hard fast and aggressive for example if you are asked to crawl in the mud throw yourself in the mud, crawl over the ground at a rapid rate of knots and be aggressive when your shouting shout so loud you loose your voice.

As I said before put in 110% and you can’t go far wrong.

All the best

Rob

Post 6 : Family Day Tomorrow

Sept 22, 2010 22:45

Up-Date
Hi to all,

I was hoping to come home in my uniform on Friday (Tomorrow) however we are not allowed to take any military kit off camp at the moment.

As far as pictures go they are limited as well we cant take too many for security reasons even on family day tomorrow (Thursday) even my family are not allowed to take photo's !

I will be defiantly home on Friday. Once I have officially passed out I will probably be allowed home in green kit.

I will come and visit you, staff and students as we have arranged next week ? Oh final thing Regards the photographs i know there will be a DVD of the pass off parade photograph's and video, I will send you a copy for the blog.

See you soon take care.

Rob