An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 19 very detailed set of orders. At the drop-off point a 10km insertion walk with full kit to their patrol harbour awaited the students. In the patrol harbour the students were split into two detach- ments and tasked with constructing OPs and conducting CTRs. The detachments were rotated throughout the week to build up a picture of enemy activity in the area and relay timely, accurate information. The students were also kept busy with other taskings, such as ration and water resupplies, clearance patrols, route recces, patrol reports and back briefs. The week ended with a well-planned raid on the enemy, fol- lowed by a casualty evac- uation back to a designated heli zone, where an AW 139 helicopter picked up the students to return to Ste- phens Bks. After some cleaning and a bit of rest it was time for the students to put on the glad rags and enjoy some well- earned refreshments! The students put in a tremendous effort throughout the four weeks and it was a very enjoyable course to instruct on. Next up for our students was the All-Army Recce Competition, which took place in Kilbride from 3rd – 16th June, where they got to test the skills they learned against fellow national and international teams. CPL TOMMY COMERFORD, 3 INF BN "I had been contemplating putting in for a recce course for a few years and felt it was the right time to do it now. The course has brought me on a huge amount in CTR and at gaining correct and timely information. It has also given me great appreciation in working with smaller teams and what they can do when pushed to the limits, as a huge factor on this course was being able to embrace hardship." TPR AARON O'FLYNN, 1 CAV SQN "As a member of 1 BCS in Cork, completing a recce course is essential to allow me to travel overseas, so I was delighted when I got a place. The course taught me vital new military skills, such as, target acquisition for support weapons, OP construction and occupation, and how to conduct a CTR as part of a recce detachment, along with model making and giving a detailed set of orders. It also allowed me to improve existing skills like SEER, LFTT, map reading and navigation. "While the course was physically challenging, the way it gave you the responsibility to think for yourself and make decisions as a part of your detachment also made it quite mentally taxing. "The skills we learned allow the recce detachment to be a vital tool for a commander and should be a goal for every soldier." PTE SHANE TORPEY, 12 INF BN "A recce course is known as being hard, so it is something I always had my eye on. It is there to challenge you in all aspects and also improve your basic skills. Being able to carry big weight over a long distance can be a struggle, but it's only after that when a recce operator begins their work! "The job of a recce soldier is to get timely and accurate information, so stealth and speed are vital. Hopefully in the future as I progress in my career and get promoted, I will keep the recce commanders course in my sights." 2/LT JACK MOORE, 1 CN COIS "It was a privilege working alongside the motivated soldiers on the basic infantry recce course. Challenges to our fieldcraft came thick and fast, making for a robust course that developed skills to be em- ployed at the business end of the infantry battalion. It was also a great opportunity to plan and execute less than conven- tional operations, such as CTRs, ambushes and raids. The ability to get eyes and ears on an objective by pushing your kit, equipment, and most importantly yourself, to the limit is a skill that is developed through both physi- cal and mental hardship and is a challenge to any infantry soldier looking to test their metal." Vox Pops

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