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REPoRt & PhotoS
CQMS MICHAEL
BARRETT RDF, 7
INF BN
T
he last weekend in February saw Dublin-based 7 Inf
bn RDF on a short training exercise in Kilbride, Co
Wicklow, the purpose of which was revision of basic
infantry skills. Sections were formed up and exercised in
formations, movement, field signals, and field craft. they
also did walk-and-talk-through section-in-attack drills.
Over 40 RDF personnel were involved on a day, which,
while not too cold, saw plenty of persistent drizzle and
mist, leaving the ground soggy underfoot.
7 Inf Bn's RDF companies will, as they did in 2016, pro-
vide support to their PDF comrades on both ceremonial
functions and tactical field exercises in 2017, and this day
on the ground was intended to keep the section com-
manders and their troops as up to speed as possible in
their infantry roles.
Several of the section commanders present were newly
promoted corporals from last year's RDF Potential NCO
Course, the first in three years, and this was their first time
exercising tactical command of troops on the ground.
Training was suspended for a short period for a very wel-
come lunch of chicken curry and rice, which was delivered from
Cathal Brugha Bks, after which the sections slogged back onto
the training area for further revision of section-level tactics.
At the conclusion of the day's training a short debrief
was held, followed by an ordnance check on all weapons
and equipment, before heading back to Dublin.
This day's activities in Kilbride will be followed by fur-
ther RDF training exercises as skills are worked up before
larger exercises with 7 Inf Bn's PDF companies take place
later this year.
revision training
Troops fall-in before moving out to the
training area.
RDF troops receive an
ammunition resupply.
Debriefing at the end
of training.
