Baloo
Full Member
- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 330
Just finished this weekend. It was a good go, with a lot of valuable information being transferred to the candidates, and the staff being exceptionally well read in their drills and knowledge. The final day of firing, on Saturday, was a total of 14 hours on the C6 ranges (Caen) at Meaford. We had about 40,000 rounds of 7.62 and 4,000 of .50 Cal ammunition that we used (the Reg Force Warrant on the course was able to get a couple .50s and Reg Force weapon techs in on the course to keep them going, and let us fire a couple hundred rounds each). It was one of the single greatest days I have had in the army. Overall though, I find that there is a definite weakness in this course. A lack of time and resources contributes to an overall VERY diluted course. Half of the time, or close to it, was devoted to C7 and C9 coaching. I am not saying that it is not important or practical, in fact quite the opposite. But on a course which is supposed to be "support weapons" and labeled a machine gunner's course, it was disappointing in that respect. Would we not all be better served if the coaching was taught either on the PLQ? Strip away that fat, and you are left with valuable time to conduct 60mm mortar, 84mm SRAAW and other PLATOON SUPPORT WEAPONS. I find it unbelievable that on a course of this nature, it is confined to C7 and C9 coaching, 9mm pistol and C6 in the SF role. What about the light role? What about the mortars? Nothing on anti-armour. Seeing as these have been greatly removed or taken out completely of BIQ, I fail to see the logic in properly teaching members the skills on these weapons. The vast majority of members have never handled an 84mm outside of the PO checks, much less fired one. These are all skills that are not being utilized or are being wasted. This a major concern. This leaves with too few troops knowing about anti-armour or the wide vairety of support weapons that are actually available. The coaching is crtiical to know, but should be kept to the PLQ course. I know that many other staff members and candidates felt the same way. I am unsure of Reg Force IPSWQ for the most part, but know that it entails much more, and the Eryx. I realize that we are not going to simply be able to acquire the necessary amounts of money for that, but we need to look beyond monetary assets when it comes to training of this nature.
Oh, well, that's what I have to say. Anyone else care to chime in?
Oh, well, that's what I have to say. Anyone else care to chime in?