An Cosantóir

18 | ARDUOUS SERPENT E BY CPL DARREN MCDADE and-control, military and medical skills in a challenging but enjoyable environment. When volunteers were sought for a team from the Defence xercise 'Arduous Serpent' is a British Army Medical Service dynamic competition with a format that not only facili- tates but develops the attributes of leadership, command- Forces to compete it presented a great opportunity for mem- bers of the Medical Corps to work alongside British Army medi- cal personnel who have gained valuable knowledge from their experiences in Afghanistan and other high conflict missions. It would be fair to say that the British Army (BA) represent the gold standard in training, education and the introduction of new practices in combat medical skills, so any exposure to their training methods could only be of benefit to Irish Medical Corps personnel. Competing teams were required to be comprised of ten, with two substitutes. Further, each team must include both sexes and at least seven of the team had to be Medical Corps person- nel, the remaining three could be drawn from other arms or services. The Defence Forces team selected from those who volun- teered comprised Lt Steven Keane (1 Arm Cav Sqn) and nine medics: Cpl Darren McDade (2 LSB), Cpl Brian Corrigan (2 LSB), Cpl Eddie McInerney (1 LSB), Cpl Martin Moules (5 Sp Wg), Cpl Sue Brennan (DMC), Pte Stephen O'Hanlon (2 LSB), Pte Gary Doyle (2 LSB), Pte Adam Boland (LBH), Pte Stephen Leonard (LBH), with Lt Col Anthony Corcoran (DMC) and Coy Sgt David O'Connor (2 LSB) as the two subs. In preparation for the competition the team concentrated its training on a wide range of topics including: the orders process An Cosantóir October 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie (extraction and delivery); weapon handling (Steyr); personal fitness (this was important as the team would be required to travel approximately 28kms in 36 hours); personal and team assault course skills; BCDT, BATLS, and Casevac procedures (including care under fire); general medical tactics; familiarisa- tion with foreign weapons (including AK 47, RPG 7, PKM, AR 15, Marakov pistol); basic field craft; infantry platoon tactics; mine- handling and awareness; patrolling; radio communication skills; CBRN; Navigation (day and night); and counter-IED. We were greatly assisted in our training by the ARW, 1 Arm Cav Sqn, the Medical School and the Cadet School. For exam- ple, ARW personnel briefed and trained us on weapon systems that we may encounter, such as SA80, AK 47 and the M16 (our proficiency in weapons handling was subsequently remarked on during the exercise), and members of 1 Arm Cav Sqn trained us in mounting and dismounting from soft-skinned and armoured vehicles, as well as tactical formations and contact drills. The Medical School assisted us in our medical training

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