Training Structure 

Significant training in a battalion is done at platoon level, mostly by the NCOs. As a platoon, we wanted to make every minute in a Training Day as effective as possible. With a professional Boss and Sarge, we were always looking to improve training, making it interesting and enjoyable, and the most effective use of our time. To be fair – enjoyable was in the eye of the beholder, as NCOs we thought the training was great, our diggers may have disagreed at the time, though many speak with pride at what we did in the two years together in One Platoon.

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The first order of business was create a Platoon Notebook, with Regimental History, First Aid, Weapon ranges, notes from Tully and Marksmanship principles. Like most great ideas we stole it from someone else, but we improved on it with the key knowledge we thought a digger needed to be effective. We used the Notebook as a reference and when undergoing training would Q&A the guys during Battle PT. Get a question wrong, run around the back of the platoon to the front. Soon most of the diggers had a significant knowledge of the infantry skills we needed them to know to operate effectively and grow into leaders.

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The next barrier was weapon handling, which we worked hard on – doing the basics, then practising during fire and movement, or practising blind folded. The intention was to make the basics of weapon handling effective under stress.

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The last change we made as a Platoon was to incorporate as much of the repetitive training – First Aid, Knowledge, and Weapon handling into PT. Instead of breakfast at 06:00 – 07:15, we organised breakfast from 09:00 – 09:30. This enabled us to parade at 07:20 and then do PT or Battle PT from 07:30 to 09:00 and have breakfast after a full PT session.

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What this meant was that we were minimizing our admin time – we had to sign weapons out of the Armoury at CHQ before and after any activity. During Battle PT we could do both rifle and machine gone weapon handling, as well as First Aid. Basically, we would improve our endurance and with three or four breaks on the run, we could practise skills under physical stress.

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Effectively engaging Targets 

In 1993 at 5/7 RAR, Pat Hourigan ran the Duke Of Gloucester (DOG) Cup training with Steve Brumby’s section – including Wiffo, Murf and Burny who all passed away in the Truck Accident in Malaysia; as well as Billy Banks, Reno, Lefty Wright, Stevo, Deano, and Bish. Pat asked me to run some range practises. One of the practises that was very effective was Target Indication and Fire Control.

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This is a skill that cannot be rushed, and requires staged learning. So, the first piece was to get the Target Indication and passage of information between the section up to speed. Then to tune the Fire Control Orders by the group or Section commander. And finally, to bring effective fire onto the target.

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In this scenario we were lucky, we could take the time to get it right. We used the Talk Through as a basis and remediated any areas required for the section to be effective. During the DOG Cup Competition the guys performed well in the small arms phase of the course.

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This would be challenging at platoon or company level, as range time and ammunition are precious.  But it is an excellent exercise as a component of Junior NCO training to develop skills.

 

Obstacle Course

The other thing we did well was we prioritised elements of training. Just as Infantry Minor Tactics required effective teams who knew their roles, we added that layer to other parts of our training.

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Normally undertaken after a route march or battle run, we completed the Obstacle course as a timed activity every year in the Platoon Competition. So What?

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The Obstacle Course comprised individual obstacles – jumps, wire, pits, walls, balance walks, ropes; as well as team activities – 4m wall, wire, or swing bridges. As a platoon we always practised three times, the last one timed.

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My strategy was to breakdown the Obstacle course into legs, separated by the team obstacles; then discuss our plan using – the Talk Through. At the team obstacle, we would develop a strategy that was fastest and would work first time, as well as Plan B if that could not be executed. For example, at the 12 foot wall, I wanted two diggers at the wall first who could lift the section up the wall and get a strong guy on top of the wall first. Then the gunner had to go through, so they could get past the wall and keep running with the additional weight of the gun without holding up the section. We would lift everyone over and the last digger had to be a leggy springy guy, because they had to run up the wall and with the last two diggers, scramble over the wall. Plan B – if it was wet, if they were struggling, after the second effort, the guys on top would drop a looped toggle rope and then drag the digger over the wall.

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Our first walk through the course, we completed most team obstacles – which are always the challenging aspect, at least twice to get the techniques squared away. This was repeated at every team obstacle.

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Our first run through was a jog until we practised the options for each team activity. The diggers didn’t sprint, we jogged through the course in a set order so that the right people hit the first team obstacle in the right order to execute. The second run practised and refined our strategy. And the third run was timed.

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Fitness

Fitness runs across the three layers – digger, leader, section or platoon.

We trained hard. Our PT was mostly Battle PT, running in boots and greens, which of course we now know blows up backs, knees and hips. We did Battle PT at least 3 times a week, never on Sports Day and it comprised route marches, runs, carrys, obstacle course, and other skills embedded in training.

We also did Pool sessions, PT gear runs and Cross Country runs. PT was always designed to ensure our weakest got stronger and our fittest were fatigued. PT was always about developing teams, bonds in the section and platoon, and working together to meet an outcome.

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Training Leaders

We trained future leaders by running good training, being role models and ensuring that there were opportunities to develop leadership.

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The best results were obtained by mastering the Talk Through. Whenever I ran pre course training for Subject Two, fieldcraft sessions were based upon the Talk Through. Because it works on so many levels. It is unquestionably the best training format for section tactics.

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