Last week in Brunei, 69 Riflemen from The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR) started their Junior Leadership Cadre (JLC), The Royal Gurkha Rifles Potential Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre, alongside 12 Riflemen from 2 RIFLES. The course lasts for six-weeks in total.
The first week saw everyone complete the Defence Train the Trainer (DTTT) course, alongside completing their first navigation exercise. All Riflemen delivered their lecturette on a jungle related topic, ranging from snake bite first aid through to river crossing and how to construct emergency shelters. Morning physical training sessions included a beach run, camp circuit and 4-mile loaded march to assist with acclimatising all the JLC troops for the upcoming 19-day final exercise in the Bruneian jungle.
Second Lieutenant Henry Johnson said, “In my opinion, the command tasks were the best opportunity the course students have had so far to display their critical thinking, concise briefing skills and leadership”.
After his second week in Brunei, Rifleman Robert Askew from 2 RIFLES said, “So far it has been enjoyable getting to know a new bunch of guys but also a real challenge learning to work in the heat. I am looking forward to going on my first jungle exercise, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous for what will be a tough 19-days”.
The UK has a fully acclimatised Battalion permanently deployed in the region since 1963, optimised for Jungle Operations and crisis response. 1 RGR is optimised for Jungle Operations but are fundamentally Light Role specialists able to adapt to operational requirements wherever it may be deployed.
