An Cosantóir

22 | Reservists Keep On Trucking The recent re-organisation of the RDF to a 'single force concept', where reservists have been embedded as reserve elements of PDF units, was always going to lead to challenging times for all concerned, with a 'getting-to-know-you' phase for both sides of the house. Students plot co-ordinates and routes for the vehicle navigation exercise. L-r: CQMS Anne Halewood (Tpt Sch), Cpl Dave Kavanagh (2 Bde Tpt Coy), Cpl Killian Ryan (2 Bde Tpt Coy). Camouflage and concealment of a Nissan Patrol using the Scania Ultra-Light Camouflage System (ULCAS). O ne of the first challenges the RDF staff in the Transport School had to face was to get the Modularised (RDF) Transport Corps Standard Officer and NCOs Course (TS TVM 96/2009) up and running. The aim of the course is to train officers in the administrative and technical standards required for the inspection, maintenance and control of transport in a transport company and to train NCOs to hold motor transport (MT) appointments in their units. The course is conducted over two modules. Module 1 comprises six days training over three weekends. Module 2 is conducted over a period of 14 days full-time training in the Transport School. Subjects include MT administration; petrol, oils and lubricants (POL); accountancy; tactical training; motor vehicle technology; transportation of dangerous goods; vehicle recovery; and transport lift capabilities. The programme for the first training weekend (18/19 May 2013) An Cosantóir November 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie Report and Photos by Cpl Frank Nolan (Res, Transport School, DFTC) included lectures on MT administration, including the organisation and layout of a detail office, Driver Standing Orders, and the organisation and layout of a POL office, although as reservists we would have limited exposure to the running of a POL office, except perhaps with regard to signing for fuel on the AF441. The second training weekend (22/23 June) was for the officers only and covered subjects such as: fleet management; health and safety specific to the transport industry; current legislation regarding vehicle weights, dimensions and design; and movement control. On the last weekend of (6/7 July) the full course was reunited for refreshers in traffic accident procedure, map reading and vehicle navigation, a traffic accident proforma exercise, and a presentation on driver behaviour and statistics. Module 2 kicked off on Saturday 13 July. After registration, administration, and the A7 brief, the course got straight into lectures

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