Issue 87 - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

75 engr regt
training weekend
Navigation and 25m Range
shooting, grouping and zeroing
our rifles.
Our section’s first stand was
the range. Recently we have had
many an opportunity furthering
our skills on the ranges and it
was evident on the 25m range
using the SUSAT. We swiftly
moved on to the BCDT stand,
running through the theoretical
aspect with a few scenarios
thrown in. Additionally we
moved into a field BCDT exercise
starting with a standard patrol,
coming under contact, advancing,
destroying the enemy and
dealing with casualties. This was
adrenalin-rushed with fire teams
peeling off and orders being
shouted, a fantastic insight to
field first aid!
A spot of lunch was in order
next allowing us to get the
cookers running with something
hot to eat and drink. I must say
the ration packs have advanced
over the years, decent food with
a variety of all sorts to keep you
going, it’s good to look forward
to your next meal in field
conditions.
CBRN was next on the list
but not before a tab/run fully
kitted to the assault course, a
real challenging experience to
get through. After donning our
CBRN suits there was a quick
brief and then straight into a
patrol. Having just completed the
assault course and a run to the
next stand, the sun was beating
down and I could feel the sweat
pouring out with our exertion.
The signal was called and then
with respirators donned it was
a quick dash to the confidence
(gas) chamber where the CS was
already billowing. At that point
it was a good test to confirm you
were sealed from the air outside
the suit and respirator. It was a
good 30 minute stint in there,
whilst we ran through verbal
test questions and drills. With
CBRN completed we packed
up and tabbed back to the
accommodation for the evening
meal.
Our brief for the last exercise of
the day was then given. A night
navigation exercise with limited
red light and points on the map
to reach by a specified time. This
was really enjoyable as again,
it’s something we don’t do often
enough and a great skills test for
everyone’s navigation. With all
points reached in good time it
was back to the accommodation
where a hot egg butty rewarded
our hard efforts. The night drew
to a close with some welcome
shut eye.
The next morning our
briefing was given for the final
exercise and this was going to
be completely new territory to
most of us, and well worth the
experience. We moved into the
three mile tab which included
a 50m water crossing. It was
a large lake that allowed no
wading, all whilst trying to
keep your kit dry. With bergans
and rifles attached, we made a
dash for the other side. There
were safety staff on site but
everything went swimmingly, if
you’ll excuse the pun! After the
crossing it was a tabbed march
back to the 25m range for a final
marked shoot, drawing a close
to the exercise. A final brief from
the organisers and CO followed,
announcing the winning section
from the march and shoot and
earning a well-deserved crate of
beer.
All in all it was most definitely
one of the better weekends, with
so much thrown in, in such little
time. Very well organised, the
food was spot on and the training
really could not have been better!
The field condition MATTs were
leaps and bounds ahead of being
in the classroom and I speak for
everyone in saying we want more
of this whenever possible. I think
we all left feeling very satisfied,
knowing we had covered roughly
12 miles and achieved so much
in the time given. Pictures were
sent out shortly afterwards to
the relevant TA Centres and
raised many an eyebrow by the
non-attenders for the weekend.
The next weekend is around the
corner with my name set in stone,
and I’m positive attendance will
be even greater from the talk
back at in the Squadron.
I firmly believe I will never
have an excuse to miss a weekend
like this, one with excitement
and full of challenges, the exact
reason why I joined the TA.
www.nwrfca.org.uk the VOLUNTEER 21