An Cosantóir

on Driver Standing Orders and revision for the first written exam the following Monday. On Sunday the students underwent a practical map reading and vehicle navigation exercise, prepared by Lt Ken Doyle (1 Bde Tpt Coy). Students had to plan routes for a number of grid reference points, prepare route cards and navigate to the designated locations. On Monday our introduction to our platoon sergeant for the course, Sgt Jim Collins (Tpt Sch), included him very kindly giving us a two-hour MT administration exam covering all material from the Module 1! Fortunately, the students were well prepared and all passed the examination with high scores (no-one below 90%). The rest of the week covered both lectures and practical instruction on subjects such as technical stores, accountancy and storage of POL, vehicle technology, and camouflage and concealment, with instruction from both PDF and RDF instructors. The practical training aspects involved visits to the Main Technical Stores and Vehicle Base Workshops in the DFTC. Another written test, on POL accountancy, was also completed during the first week. Completion of the POL accountancy module and the written test gave this author an Students on Rabbit Hill doing vehicle recovery calculations. Front (l-r): Lt Ken Doyle (1 Bde Tpt Coy), 2/Lt Aisling McDonagh (2 Bde Tpt Coy). Rear (l-r): Cpl Dave Kavanagh, Cpl Killian Ryan (both 2 Bde Tpt Coy), CQMS Anne Halewood (Tpt Sch) | 23 Thursday saw the course students sitting flage and conceal a Nissan Patrol while the technical training examinations. Later the other team completed a transport in the morning, we paid a very interesting movement order classroom exercise. I/C of the course, Lt Martin Cooney, went out visit to the NSRC (National Stores Reception Centre), where Sgt Tony Morris gave in a vehicle with his binoculars to see if us a briefing on the unit's huge workload, he could locate the camouflaged vehicle especially around overseas rotations, and within 30 minutes. The two teams then the importance of correct packing of loads rotated and the second team hid the vehicle while the first team did the move- and adherence to ADR regulations. In the afternoon we visited 1 Mech Inf ment exercise. Lt Cooney admitted defeat Coy to get an overview of the capabilities with the first team, who did an excellent of the Mowag Piranha 8x8 APC, kindly job in concealing the vehicle and themfacilitated by Capt Aidan Ryan of 1 Mech selves. However, he successfully located the second team, who learned some valu- Inf Coy. Sgt Séamus Purcell (Tpt Sch) then gave a able lessons as a result. brief on some of the Corps' larger veThis was followed by a vehicle map hicles, such as the Iveco Astra 8x8 DROPS navigation exercise using supplied grid (Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup references, preparation of route cards and System), Scania 8x8 DROPS, Scania 6x6, navigating over a wide driving area and on and the DROPS' hook and CHU (Container varying road conditions Handling Unit) equipment. Week 2 started with an overview of the The course ended on Friday 26 July with Basic Recovery course and learning the four the General Test and course debrief with key principles of recovery: reconnaissance, Capt Mick Murray (Tpt Sch). All students calculations, layout of tackle, and execupassed with high marks, which is a testation. A lot of mathematical calculations were involved; calculating the total pull required for a casualty vehicle, while incorpoFront (L/R): Sgt Séamus Purcell (Instr), Lt Ken Doyle (1 Bde Tpt rating run resistance, Coy), Capt Mick Murray (Tpt Sch), Lt Col Mick O'Connor (OC Tpt gradient resistance, Gp, DFTC), Comdt Tadhg Murray (OC Tpt Sch), Lt Martin Cooney (Course I/C), Sgt Jim Collins (Pln Sgt/instr). damage resistance Rear (L/R): Cpl Frank Nolan (Tpt Sch), Cpl Killian Ryan, 2/Lt and a 25% safety facAisling McDonagh (both 2 Bde Tpt Coy), CQMS Anne Halewood (Tpt Sch), Cpl Ronan Heaslip (1 Bde Tpt Coy), Cpl Dave Kavanagh (2 Bde Tpt Coy), Sgt Jim Masterson (Instr). Cpl Dave Kavanagh (2 Bde Tpt Coy) and Cpl Denis Smyth (Tpt Sch) making final checks before starting a vehicle self-recovery using the Nissan Patrol's onboard 3-tonne electric winch. appreciation of how important and busy a job the POL office has, especially for a large barracks, as well as the importance of accurate accounting of POL stocks. Toward the end of the first week Captain Iain Conlon (2 Bde Tpt Coy) gave instruction on vehicle movement, with a view to its application on a vehicle movement exercise on the Saturday of Week 1. It was then that the joys of 'pass time', 'run time' and 'time to complete move' were introduced to us! On the same day we also underwent an exercise in camouflage and concealment on the Curragh Plains. The course was divided into two teams and one was sent out onto the Plains to camou- tor. These calculations are vital to safely assess the total load to be recovered. Our instructor Cpl Smyth did an excellent job, demonstrating his in-depth knowledge and experience in the area. A vehicle recovery demonstration took place the following day on Rabbit Hill to reinforce the material covered in the previous day's lecture, and was enjoyed by all concerned. Sgt Jim Masterson (Tpt Sch) delivered a lecture on the carriage of dangerous goods, and ADR (Accord Dangereux Routiers) labelling and requirements. Obviously, there is no shortage of such items in the military arena, from small-arms ammunition, to artillery rounds, to aviation fuel, so an appreciation of these is important. ment to the high levels of instruction and the work put in by the students. Personally, this course opened my eyes to aspects of Transport Corps activities and capabilities that up to this point I had not been exposed to, and I enjoyed it immensely. Doing the course with a great bunch of people was another big plus, with civilian occupations as diverse as secondary school teacher, ADI driving instructor, emergency response team member, safety training professional, bus driver, solicitor and two engineers from different disciplines. Many thanks to OC Tpt Sch, Comdt Tadhg Murray, Course I/C Lt Martin Cooney, Platoon Sgt Jim Collins, and all the other staff of the Transport School who assisted in making this a very enjoyable and successful course. www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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