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Normally around this time of
year the planning phase of the
preparation for the periods of
full time training for the summer
period would be coming to an
end in many of the Army Reserve
and Naval Service Reserve
units around the country. The
planning cell would have been
set up and would have taken
the training outcomes from the
commanding officer. Exercise
scenarios or training courses
would be discussed to try and
achieve the commanders' intent
on the training outcomes from
the period of full time training.
Vehicles would be applied for as
well ration packs for the periods
on the ground would also be
applied for. Tasks like submitting
applications in the requisite
time frames for access to lands
for tactical exercises as well as
indents to feed those attending
would also be allocated from the
planning group.
The date of the training would
have been set well in advance
to allow the members of
the reserve to apply to their
employers in sufficient time for
annual leave to partake in their
commitment to the Reserve
Defence Forces to undertake
a period of 7 days full time
training. Other criteria like having
completed their Annual Personal
Weapons Test would have been
done on a weekend earlier in the
year. Fitness tests would also
have to be carried out should
a career course be available to
apply for if the applicant was a
successful nominee from the
unit. With all these prerequisites
achieved, the remaining focus
was spent on making sure that
personal kit was in perfect order
and ready for inspection by
eagle-eyed NCO's to make sure
"IF WE CAN WINTER THIS ONE OUT WE CAN SUMMER ANYWHERE"
"IF WE CAN WINTER THIS ONE OUT
WE CAN SUMMER ANYWHERE"
- Seamus Heaney
