The following article is taken from the latest issue of the Globe & Laurel magazine.
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The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Radio Reconnaissance Operator Course (RROC) is a six-week annual qualifying course for USMC Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) specialists to conduct Advance Force CEMA reconnaissance. The RROC focuses on the practical application of technical reconnaissance as part of a small team, including technologies and techniques Y Sqn has used on recent operations. It is progressive, culminating in various exercises in different environments. USMC 1st, 2nd and 3rd Radio Battalions take turns running the course, with us lucky enough to visit the latter at Marines Corps Base Hawaii for two months. Y Sqn deployed seven ranks: six students and one instructor.
The three-week technical phase included Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Digital Private Mobile Radio (DPMR) theory and practical applications, in the classroom. Building upon the good foundation of knowledge we have as Signal Intelligence operators and with parts of Hawaii being classed as a jungle, the subsequent field phase put our knowledge to the test in terrain we rarely get the chance to operate in.
When we first arrived, we had an introductory phase, which consisted of everything from swimming to USMC comms lessons. First session in the pool saw us take on the USMC swim test, which is very similar to the RM BST. This allowed us to start the progression towards one of our insert methods, a 2km swim with fins and full field kit. During this week, we increased the distance by increments of 500m with the goal of keeping within the pace of 15 minutes per 500 metres. Furthermore, we got swept up on their comms procedures and Combat Casualty Tactical Care with the Battalion Corpsman.
After sitting the theory entrance test and scoring respectable marks, we went into the course brimming with confidence. Next up was the 2km fin with 50lbs, in under an hour. Royal being Royal, everyone passed first time. Then came the Reconnaissance Physical Assessment Test (RPAT), consisting of a 500-yard swim, calisthenics, 1.5-mile sprint, 12-mile run with combat load, and two laps of the USMC obstacle course. Y Sqn ranks performed to a very high standard, beating the majority of their USMC counterparts.
During the second week, we focused more on the theory, taking deeper dives into the networks and protocols that differentiate each technology. This concentrated level of understanding meant the learning curve on some new pieces of kit wasn’t as arduous. The 2km fin progressed this week, in addition to the 50lbs, we also had chest rig and a rifle. Furthermore, we got hands on with ………
To find out more about Ships Force Protection Ops and RM activities across the globe, catch up regularly with all the news in the Globe & Laurel Magazine, the Journal of the Royal Marines.
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