The following article is taken from the latest issue of the Globe & Laurel magazine.
Click the button below to discover more.
Conducted annually on the Cyprus PJOB, Ex Commando Phoenix provides the RMR with an opportunity to assure the Commando Duties standard through a demanding live fire tactical training package. The progression of training covers from mastery of the basics – zero, point of aim, ACMT – through to CQM, unknown distance defensive shoots and culminates with a complex team attack. Built in the shoot-move-communicate-medicate framework, the challenge and training load increases across the package, assuring the skills of the Reservist and preparing them for mobilisation into the Commando Force. Made more demanding in the unforgiving heat, the exercise sets challenging conditions, pushing the individual to the threshold of failure.
Arriving from Brize Norton late on Saturday it was heads down in preparation for the week ahead. With admin and orientation completed on Sunday, the exercise kicked off in earnest early doors on Monday. Following the hard work and terrific preparation put in by the advance party, the exercising troops were able to roll seamlessly onto the ranges.
The clear blue skies and warm weather of Cyprus were a relief after the dreary UK spring and morale was high. The first week of the exercise saw plenty of range time for all. Zero, point of aim and ACMT were completed, with some good-natured competition for the best shot on course warming up. As well as building up the rifle shoots, the troops also had time to get reacquainted with the pistols. All involved appreciated the chance to work on improving their shooting on the wide-open spaces of Dhekelia Ranges. The chance for joint training with ranks from LRG(N) was taken with mutual benefit felt from both parties. While the use of RMR ranges was facilitated, so knowledge from LRG(N) snipers was shared with the RMR.
After a busy week, Friday evening brought a clear lower deck and stand down over the weekend. With time their own, the group dispersed to take advantage of all that Cyprus has to offer. Scuba diving, hiking Mount Olympus, swimming in the crystal-clear waters around the island, as well as a good run ashore, provided a welcome chance to relax and reset for the week ahead.
It was straight back into it early on the second Monday, with the temperature moving up towards 30 degrees, The week saw plenty of opportunities to utilise the individual skills practised in week one. As the weather heated up, so did the action on the range. Moving into dynamic serials, the troops were put through their paces in fire teams on
increasingly more complex ranges. Multi-directional and simultaneous contacts tested team coordination and skills, and many agreed that these were some of the best and most challenging ranges on which they had participated.
Interspersed with the work in small teams, further individual-level skills were practised, including the continued build-up of pistol shooting ………..
To find out more about RMR and further RM activities across the globe, catch up regularly with all the news in the Globe & Laurel Magazine, the Journal of the Royal Marines.
Read more from the Journal of the Royal Marines
For more information, and to read similar stories, visit:
Globe & Laurel – RMA – The Royal Marines Charity (rma-trmc.org)
