An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 17 Secondly, is the prime importance of the 'strategic corporal'. Acting as patrol commanders, corporals, once they leave post, are autonomous and solely responsible for the patrol team under their control. Witnessing this and the high standard of operational planning and execution of patrols led by corporals during this deployment, I have discovered a new found respect for the rank and my views regarding what to expect from the rank and in looking at potential NCOs have increased as a result. Thirdly, the importance of the 'senior private' within the framework of the platoon cannot be overemphasised. Their presence, guidance and stoicism have been a great source of direction for everyone in the platoon, me included. Act- ing as another layer of leadership, very much at ground level, they have been very important to the success of the platoon to date. I have learned just how accurate a statement it is that a true team is made when you put aside individual wants for the collective good. The most important role for any platoon commander travelling to this mission is the time spent with your platoon on UNP 6-52. Here you become the sole leader and carer, with responsibility for up to 30 soldiers. For me this was the greatest learning experience and it moulded my platoon as a cohesive unit. Everyone helped each other through the tough- est days and always had time to smile and have a joke with you when things did not go your way. The post is set on the foothills of Hill 882 between the villages of Bint Jubayl and Aytarun. From 6-52 you can see into the Israeli town of Avivum across the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon and Israel. Life on the post is challenging in many dif- ferent ways but an experience that will live with me forever as it was where we learned to work cohesively as a team. Still going strong, our team continues to perform to an exceptionally high standard and I feel lucky to have been a member of a group with some of the finest soldiers I have encountered in my career to date. I have learned just how true a statement it is that a true team are made when you put aside individual wants for the collective good " " 53 Inf Gp outside the GPO during the 1916 parade. Due to the involvement of his grandfather in the Rising, Lt Byrne had the privilege of carrying the flag of the Irish Republic on the parade. Visit of Sector West Commander, General Nitti, to UNP 2-45. Pictured (l/r): Comdt D McGourty, Gen Nitti, Lt Col V Vainio, Lt Col S Ryan and Lt S Byrne.

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