"Wake up 3 section" came the call. It didn't feel like 2:45 and looking at my watch it looked more like 12:45. Bugger someone had woken up the wrong section, or had they, maybe this was the first test. So despite hearing 2 section getting ready we donned our kit and boots to report for duty. As I arrived 2 section were just getting their barracking "I said I'd wake you when I needed you now go back to bed". So 3 section were required after all.
I was given guard duty first with one other while two there's manned the CP and the remaining 5 were assigned as the quick reaction force.
Call sign 1-1, we were given notice that a vehicle was expected at 01:45. At 01:25 the lights of a vehicle approached. "Hello one zero this is one one, vehicle approaching wait out". I'd got the radio check done now to check the vehicle. It turned out to be the expected vehicle and after seeing some ID and confirming the vehicle had come straight from another base, we opened the gate. First job done and we switched roles and I headed to the QRF.
We then received IDF, indirect fire, and after taking cover we were asked to go out on patrol to look for damage or casualties. After a few mins we came across a casualty and after setting up a cordon and assessing the casualty we loaded them onto a stretcher and returned to base. I then had a final uneventful hour on guard duty before being relieved by 2 section and we went back to bed.
At 5 then we were back up and given 2 hours to wash, shave, remove all camo cream, cook breakfast and clean our rifles before inspection at 7. I ended up rushing my rifle cleaning and paid the price when the inspection came, not a great start to the day.
Next we had to break camp and get all the tents away. We were then issued our 60 rounds of black ammo, told to pack up with webbing, helmet, GSR, Bergen and rifle and prepare to move out. We then patrolled across to a large field where we were given lessons on judging distances, observation and arcs of fire. I wish we had more time on the course to learn and apply these skills properly.
During these lessons the heavens opened and in the time it took me to reach my gore tex I was soaked. Lessons continued with advancing under fire in pairs by covering and communicating when each of you was going to move. We then moved off for lunch and during lunch we had to camouflage our helmets with grass and leaves.
After lunch we then started one of the best parts of the whole 2 weeks, a simulated attack on an enemy position in pairs with 60 rounds each.
I was determined to show what I had learned and to be controlled and effective. A smoke grenade was thrown ahead of us and under this cover the two of us moved into a trench system and came under contact.
"CONTACT FRONT" returning fire It was almost impossible to hear my partner and after 4-5 shots I had not heard him shout MOVING, so I decided to move. As I did so he also decided to move and the pair of us advanced together with no cover. Oops!
This however was probably eclipsed by me attempting to run from the trench, falling over, getting up, stumbling over again before finally gaining my footing to make it to cover. IN. MOVE. I shouted and we began to work as a pair although I had no idea where my parter was. I was also cross that I had lost count of my shots so had no way of knowing when my first 30 round mag would be finished. All this time the enemy were pouring automatic fire in our direction.
Another bound took me to a log and the next bound I headed for a drainage pipe. I took up a position behind the pipe at which point I heard GET IN THE ******* PIPE BEATLEY YOU ******* IDIOT. So now I am crawling through a pipe that I can't see the end of and have no idea where it leads, halfway down I reached a junction and saw the Corporal gesturing former to get out. I crawled out and started engaging the enemy again, in the back of my mind I was thinking I might need to Chang magazines soon. I then heard my parter shout STOPPAGE and realised he was changing mags. I upped my fire rate to compensate but after a few shots I also emptied my mag. STOPPAGE! Damn why did I let that happen, a quick mag change and the corporal suggested I switch the burst fire, automatic in other words. I didn't need a second invitation and opened up with several 2-3 round bursts. I had soon emptied the second mag and the exercise was called to a close. All I wanted was another go.
Getting back to the group, everyone had a big smile on their faces from the blank firing challenge. All that remained now was to pack up and patrol back to the hanger to de-kit and head back to the block.
We got back to the block around 18:00 totally shattered and relieved that we had come through the course. The only final challenge was to meet at the pub at 19:15 to bring the course to a close. Despite the exertions of the previous two days and night we still managed a post midnight finish.
It was also a nice opportunity to talk to the four lads who had taken us through our training. I cannot praise them enough for the excellent course they run and their ability to teach us reserves ranging in age from our 20s to 50s.
Dave (AC Beatley)
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