Turret Operator Course 002
The month of October saw A Sqn RCD run a 25 mm Turret Operator Course for soldiers from 1 and 3 RCR, as well as 2 RCHA. This course was the second in a series of seven that the Regiment is running in order to increase the number of 25 mm Gunners across the Brigade. The dispersion of this skill throughout the Brigade is essential in order to prepare for upcoming deployments in the near and distant future.
The course began 6 October with 21 students divided into five crews. For the first two weeks, the students were inundated with new information, as they learned the fundamentals of gunnery and the specific skills they would need to operate the 25 mm turret. During this period, a typical day for a student consisted of PT at 6:30 in the morning followed by a full day of theory and technical classes, which began at 8:00 and usually ended around 5:00 pm. Unfortunately for the students, their day did not end there; the continual barrage of information they received during the day often resulted at least one to two hours of studying every night. This extra-curricular activity was necessary to keep the day’s lessons fresh and to prepare the students for quizzes and the final exam. These first two weeks were capped off with the final written exam, which demanded candidates to memorize numerous aspects of gunnery theory and technical checklists. Fortunately, once it was over, the students could focus on the fun part of the course: hands-on experience in the turret and firing the 25 mm gun.
The final two weeks of the course consisted of one week of simulator shooting and two days of open range firing, as well as the usual maintenance and range set-up and tear-down. These are undoubtedly the best two weeks of any Turret Operator Course; however, it was not all fun for the students. While they finally got to operate the turret, they were also being assessed on their abilities as Gunners and Crew Commanders, both in the simulators and on the open range. Nevertheless, it was clear from the looks on the students’ faces after they finished their live fire shoots that it was worth all the hard work. As more than one candidate admitted, there is no better way to feel like you are in the Army than when you get to fire a 25 mm cannon from the turret of a vehicle. While none of the students on course were RCD, most of them could relate to the statement “it’s a fine day to be a Dragoon” after they finished their live shoots.
On Halloween, the course ended and the students returned to their units to showcase their new skills to their respective chains of command. As they left, however, A Sqn prepared to start all over again with a new batch of thirty-four students. While it may not be the most glamorous job in the Army, from close observation, it is easy to see that both the staff and students are gaining something from this worthwhile and challenging experience.
The course began 6 October with 21 students divided into five crews. For the first two weeks, the students were inundated with new information, as they learned the fundamentals of gunnery and the specific skills they would need to operate the 25 mm turret. During this period, a typical day for a student consisted of PT at 6:30 in the morning followed by a full day of theory and technical classes, which began at 8:00 and usually ended around 5:00 pm. Unfortunately for the students, their day did not end there; the continual barrage of information they received during the day often resulted at least one to two hours of studying every night. This extra-curricular activity was necessary to keep the day’s lessons fresh and to prepare the students for quizzes and the final exam. These first two weeks were capped off with the final written exam, which demanded candidates to memorize numerous aspects of gunnery theory and technical checklists. Fortunately, once it was over, the students could focus on the fun part of the course: hands-on experience in the turret and firing the 25 mm gun.
The final two weeks of the course consisted of one week of simulator shooting and two days of open range firing, as well as the usual maintenance and range set-up and tear-down. These are undoubtedly the best two weeks of any Turret Operator Course; however, it was not all fun for the students. While they finally got to operate the turret, they were also being assessed on their abilities as Gunners and Crew Commanders, both in the simulators and on the open range. Nevertheless, it was clear from the looks on the students’ faces after they finished their live fire shoots that it was worth all the hard work. As more than one candidate admitted, there is no better way to feel like you are in the Army than when you get to fire a 25 mm cannon from the turret of a vehicle. While none of the students on course were RCD, most of them could relate to the statement “it’s a fine day to be a Dragoon” after they finished their live shoots.
On Halloween, the course ended and the students returned to their units to showcase their new skills to their respective chains of command. As they left, however, A Sqn prepared to start all over again with a new batch of thirty-four students. While it may not be the most glamorous job in the Army, from close observation, it is easy to see that both the staff and students are gaining something from this worthwhile and challenging experience.
Students receive instruction in classroom.
Instructor Sgt Devlin supervises students
Students receive instruction both on and off the vehicles.
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