Reconnaissance Platoon OC:
2ic:
Capt C J Paul CSgt I Fisher
The Land Warfare Centre Battle Group left the Platoon tired but content with a strong performance maintained throughout. The final throws of life in Tidworth saw a frantic, but efficient, hand over of the long suffering CVR (T) fleet to the Fusiliers and a sad farewell to life in UK. NCOs had to progress in their careers and several were posted out of the Platoon; some of the more senior Ptes moving on to civilian life and the Platoon ORBAT was left weakened. On arrival in Germany, we received a manning boost with fresh eyes added to the screen. Our focus since arriving in Germany has been on building a strong Platoon for BATUS and further in the future for OPTAG and deployment on Op Herrick 14.
In September and October 2009, we saw a new home in Germany and we had induction briefings and a full scale re-ORBAT. The changes to the Platoon were far-reaching with a new Platoon Commander, three new LCpls, seven new Ptes (some having passed out from training only the month before) and numerous changes and promotions internally within the Platoon. As a result, a huge amount of training or retraining was required, all of which had to be squeezed in around the Battalion’s preparation for BATUS: a tall order. The new Ptes embarked on their CVR (T) driver training, the new LCpls got to grips with the 30 mm Canon whilst the Platoon Commander and CSgt Fisher went to UK to attend the Armoured Close Recce Commander’s Course. Sgt Cook and Cpl Simmonds were also dispatched to the Battalion’s JNCO cadre as instructors. By Christmas, the Platoon was reunited, fully manned and ready to face the final hurdle to becoming the elite Platoon that it is now.
Post Christmas leave, the Platoon formed up on 11th January 2010 for the Recce Cadre - the first one run in the Battalion since before Op Telic 6. We then embarked upon six weeks of
Cpl Simmonds and LCpl Reid on a ‘cultural’ visit
testing training, sometimes in temperatures as low as -17oC. The Cadre was the perfect opportunity for the new lads to get to grips with what Recce Platoon is all about and for the old hands to dust off the cobwebs and get back in the game. Some had a lot to learn - Pte Parker is now 100% clear that you cannot use a boil in the bag as a knee pad. The Platoon covered the whole spectrum of dismounted Recce skills, subsurface OPs, CTRs, patrolling skills and live fire contact drills to name but a few. They also turned their hand to some armoured tactics with a successful week in the Combined Arms Turret Trainer (CATT). Utilising the excellent training facilities in Sennelager and on Bergen Hohne training area, the Platoon spent a total of four weeks in, six weeks away from home. After a week of well-earned half term leave, the Platoon found itself straight back in the battle with CSgt Fisher, straight from course number two (Senior Brecon), Sgt Beckett and Cpl “Commander” Ward getting the troops all over the wagons and guns, ready for two weeks of dismounted live firing, exercise and CVR (T) gunnery, with an ACFT 2 and a PFA thrown in to keep us on our toes. An excellent two weeks of live training was had, allowing everyone to pass the relevant shoots in order to deploy to BATUS – even Pte “Wildebeest” Wilkinson is rumoured to have smiled at least once and, as ever, Cpl “Danny” Meehan kept morale high throughout with his unique brand of hyperactive humour! During this time, Cpl Taylor and LCpl Fellows have been enjoying themselves in Brecon on SCBC, raising the quality line to be a Recce Cpl even higher than it already is.
A productive and busy period which passed in a blink of an eye, good times and tough times, but the men of Recce Platoon 3 MERCIAN are now set with eyes on BATUS and beyond.
Sniper Platoon
Pte Thomas and Pte Day get a CVR (T) ready
70 October 2010
As the Land Warfare Battle Group tour came to a close, Sniper Platoon was a shadow of its former self. In the run up to the Arms Plot move to Germany, it had haemorrhaged troops and was left bare to the bone. However, a re-generation plan was underway and this meant that moving to Germany would see the rebirth of the Platoon as a formed entity. We moved in August and quickly settled into our new home alongside the Recce Platoon. A new Platoon Commander was posted in from 1 MERCIAN in September and immediately made an impression, commandeering half of the Recce Platoon office for himself. At this stage,
Snipers on the ranges Sniper Platoon on the ranges]
we were three men strong and were trying to concentrate on getting some of the former Snipers back into the Platoon, many of whom were now attempting a PJNCO Cadre.
The Platoon Commander soon started to make plans, getting dates and acquiring kit for the forthcoming Basic Sniper Course which the Platoon needed to get back on its feet. We ran a selection day that consisted of a wide range of topics including fitness, map reading, observation and, lastly, marksmanship. Fourteen volunteers attempted the selection phase with nine Ptes making it with one very lucky Cpl from B Coy. The Platoon Commander soon started planning a Basic Sniper Course for the new Platoon. In the meantime, the Battalion was about to run the Coltman Competition, designed to test Infantry tactics and fieldcraft across the sub units. The Sniper Platoon fielded a section of the newly qualified soldiers and came a very credible second place overall.
After Christmas leave, the Basic Sniper course started and lasted six weeks. During the course, the Platoon had the opportunity to train with Snipers from 1 YORKS and 2 R ANGLIAN, firing their shooting phase with 1 PWRR. It was a good experience for the new lads in the Platoon as they were new to the world of sniping and, indeed, many were new to the Army in general. Our new Cpl from B Company led the way by being one of only two candidates to gain a distinction. In the end, six soldiers made the grade as a sniper and a further four gained their sharpshooter’s badge: well done to them all. The Platoon finished the course with a night out consisting of an “all you can eat Chinese” (the Acting Platoon Sergeant took this as a personal challenge) and a few drinks in the local town. In conclusion, Sniper Platoon has now been bolstered to sixteen men including twelve badged Snipers. This is a remarkable recovery from the two men who started in Tidworth. In the future, Sniper Platoon will do more live firing, taking the training to the next level ready for BATUS and beyond.
The Mercian Eagle
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