48 soldiers from across all five companies of the 2nd Battalion “The Poachers” took part in an internal PNCO cadre beginning this May.
This was the first internal cadre to take place for over a decade that was just from the Poachers, with all DS and soldiers coming from the Battalion, a truly Poachers affair.
Successful completion of the course qualifies the soldiers to promote to Lance Corporal and it is their first step in their leadership careers within the army. The course was made up of two phases: the tactics phase lasting six weeks, and the M&K Qual phase lasting two weeks. Tactics phase focusses on developing their practical ability and conceptual understanding of the role of a section second-in-command. This phase included three intensive exercises: Attacks Ex, Patrols Ex, and Final Ex. These exercises pushed the soldiers to their mental and physical limits. Alongside the exercises and demanding physical training, the soldiers received a range of theory lessons ranging from Leadership and Ambushes to Regimental History and Base Security.
20 soldiers successfully completed the Tactics phase and passed out in front of Brigadier Guy Foden and their families on the 27th of June before a well-earned long weekend. Three awards were presented at the pass-out parade: Top Physical Performance, Top Student, and the Sharpe VC Award (named after VC winner Charles Richard Sharpe, 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment). These were won by Pte Barra, Pte Leenderts, and Pte Marson-Gear, respectively.
The M&K qual phase gives the soldiers the relevant qualifications needed to plan and conduct battle exercises and lessons, as well as being able to coach and help run static ranges. One week was ran from Kendrew Barracks with the second, and final week of the course, taking place in Barry Budden, near St Andrews, Scotland. All 20 of those who passed Tactics phase also completed their M&K qualifications which concluded the PNCO cadre.
Their progression over the course was clear to all the DS and their CoCs who visited during the exercises. Growing from Private soldiers to PNCOs within a matter of weeks. They all now qualify to promote to LCpl at the next available opportunity, moving back to their respective Companies to continue their leadership journeys.
