http://www.soldiermagazine.co.uk JULY 2019 45Services eligible to join these
teams, basic fire and manoeuvre
and defensive drills must be
covered first.
“We have such a varied crowd
on this course, from Navy
submariners to squadron leaders
to infantry soldiers," says CSgt
Little, who, apart from playing a
convincing thug, is JFHQ’s chief
training instructor.
“Some of these people haven't
handled a gun for years so during
the first week we spend two days
solely on the ranges, training one-
to-one with rifles and pistols.
“Then you have to take them to
the very limit to make them feel
uncomfortable and find out what
they're capable of.
“An RAF officer, for example,
probably won’t leave here as a
top-class operator in dismounted
combat but we make sure he or
she will be proficient enough to
react and withdraw competently
so they can safely call in help.
“But if there is a high-threat
situation developing the teams are
always handpicked – and I’ll tell
the chief of staff the honest truth
about who is suitable or not for
that particular mission.”
However, that doesn't
necessarily mean infanteers will
enjoy a natural advantage.
“The fact that we are asked to
jump out of a vehicle and shoot
is secondary to the fact that we
have to make quick decisions on
whether to stop our car at all,”
adds Lt Col James De St John-
Pryce (RHG/D).
“The infantry soldier's instinct
will be to attack every time but
that might not be the best move.
“I think the experience you
gain in any arm gives you great
ability to deal with decision-
making, stress and moral
judgements on the hoof.”37-40-sol-aug OLRT2.indd 4 02/08/2019 09:50