An Cosantóir

4 | An Cosantóir September / October 2025 www.military.ie/magazine F ollowing the successful Section-level Tactical Competitions of 2023 and 2024, September 2025 saw the reintroduction of the Infantry Platoon Attack Competition after a ten-year hiatus. Conducted by the Infantry School, the competition's expansion to Platoon-level offered a tough and comprehensive test of tactics, leadership, and fire control with a premium on the implementation of Mission Command style leadership in conjunction with the Infantry Soldier Principles of robustness and resilience, the ability to fight through adversity; seizing of the initiative; commitment to excellence; and above all, determination to fight as a team. The Platoon is the Infantry's decisive fighting element. At this level, the challenge is to coordinate the manoeuvre of multiple sections, maintain the momentum of an operation and provide protective fire support. With this in mind, the Competition was designed to refresh Platoon-level tactics, techniques and procedures across the wider Infantry Corps, to enhance small unit leadership at the Platoon Commander, Sergeant and Section Commander levels, to reinforce the necessity of timely and responsive casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) procedures at the Platoon level and finally to promote and assess marksmanship skills and weapon systems in a battle focused environment. Seven Platoons competed in the Competition this year, with each Infantry Battalion being represented. The competition began on the 1st of September with the arrival of Platoons at Coolmoney Camp. Once settled into accommodation, competitors busied themselves preparing ammunition and readying their equipment for the tactical phase. After dinner Assessment Teams conducted a walk-through of the Training Areas whilst the competing Platoons received their full competition briefing before turning their focus to battle preparation well into the night. The atmosphere in camp that evening was tense but eager — Platoon Staff walked their soldiers through rehearsals and orders, knowing that the next day would demand quick thinking and sharp execution. The tone was already set: robust and resilient soldiers would be required to carry their Platoons through the trials ahead. The initial phase of the competition took place on the 2nd of September when Platoons were put through their paces on the Quick Attack Lanes. Each team was allotted two hours and fifteen minutes to conduct a Recce, issue Quick Battle Orders and conduct an Advance to Contact through a designated Attack Lane. Enemy forces, played by role-players from 1 MIC were positioned in depth, forcing platoons to fight through multiple objectives. Each platoon had to conduct two such attacks, with every move, order, and shot scrutinised by Assessment Teams and the NCO Training Wing Staff. Three lanes ran concurrently in the Camp Field area, beginning at 0815 hrs. Timings were tight, with subsequent assessments starting every two hours and fifteen minutes thereafter. For the Platoon Commanders, the challenge was immense: balancing speed with control, issuing clear orders under pressure and maintaining momentum. Platoon Sergeants were tested in resupply, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and Prisoner of War (PW) Drills, while Section Commanders had to suppress or assault enemy positions with a third Section in Reserve on immediate notice to resupply the forward Sections or evacuate any casualties sustained. Overall, each Platoon performed to a high standard; fire control was tight, CASEVAC drills were instinctive and the assaulting Sections INFANTRY PLATOON ATTACK COMPETITION 2025 2025 ARTICLE BY COMDT STEVE BYRNE

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