An Cosantóir

26 RAISING KIDAL Conditions are difficult for all, especially for the trainee students, they also have been brought together by the demands of their profession, but unlike our team, theirs is fraught often with distrust and cultural difference that simmer constantly. However, shared hardship has a way of breaking down boundaries and creating positive group cohesion. That's how military training is designed. The Course Leader focuses on a "Move – Shoot – Communicate – Medicate" training plan, knowing that to impart these skills, best prepares the trainees for redeployment to the Northern Regions of KIDAL and probable conflict. Theory lessons, such as land navigation and International Humanitarian Law are tediously translated through French, Tamashek & Bambara. These are followed by intense practical exercises. It is not easy. Crawl, move, shoot, communicate, medicate, repeat and repeat and repeat. The training aim focuses on developing an instantaneous and effective reaction to enemy contact, and building on this by drawing on an array of military skills to ensure mission success. The trainers focus on the junior leadership within the KIDAL Company, those that by Rank will burden the responsibility of command, whose action or inaction can have serious consequence. Down time leads to open discussions, the Malian soldiers share their personal experiences in the field and trainers listen. The Malian soldier's families are accommodated within the grounds and they too build a rapport with trainers, often curious to hear stories and to extend the Malian welcome. The entirety of this project is far from one way but rather a cooperative, symbiotic relationship where shared knowledge and skills are the byproduct. The process is not without its challenges; a short timeline with the Company feels more compressed as their deployment date beckons. The trainers always want to give more but they have a common enemy; the sun is relentless in the training grounds, the mercury does not fall below 44 C on any training day and often screams 50 C. Personal admin, hydration and an ability not to overreach are key in maintaining their ability to impart correct and quality military instruction. It's week three of five before the ever elusive "Buy In" is achieved. A positive rapport of mutual respect between trainer and trainee has been forged, trust and effort are reciprocal and The KIDAL Company is beginning to believe. They are beginning to believe that they can be better, that they can work together and achieve the common goal, that they can make a difference. Personal confidence, shattered in many, from effort in often hopeless situations is gradually restored and a competitive more determined mindset now fills this space, reflected in the roars of "SUIVES MOI!" or "FOLLOW ME!", during squad tactic manoeuvres. The mission is not beyond the reach of political events and the training is conducted under the shadow of a dynamic and changeable national governance, that can cloud the vision of achieving peace. Trainers are experienced enough to realise however, that focus must be maintained on achieving the mission objective and that's where they put their energy. For now everything else is noise. The Company of trainees will redeploy to their Station in KIDAL within two (2) weeks and what the future has for them is uncertain at best. They will however, be better prepared for that uncertainty. Preparation brings confidence and in times of duress, it will make the difference. Handheld Temperature gauges remind trainers and students to hydrate regularly. Its relentless intensity is a major training challenge in MALI "SUIVEZ-MOI" of "FOLLOW ME!" Members of the DDR KIDAL COY roar as they move in on target during exercise rehearsal. Confidence in your own ability inspires comrades, a lesson that it is reiterated to our trainees. Lead by example

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