Tough test for top soldiers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 460, 3 November 1992, Page 7

Tough test for top soldiers

BYJANSAVELL The ingredients of Exercise Legionnaire are similar to that shown on the "Never mind the Pain" documentary screened recently but the

soldiers starting out on this four day trial believe it is a world away from the televised version of the army. On Thursday 25 soldiers began a walk from

Waiouru to Turangi, with detours for the completion of the leadership tasks. Their instructors walk every step with them, assessing the students' performance under

stress. The exercise is the final test of the six week Senior non commissioned officer promotion course. On this course emphasis is placed on enabling sol-

diers to achieve. "We are not here to fail anybody. The students are given every opportunity to learn and practice before testing, but we won't lower our standards. A pass on this course means something, said Staff Sergeant Chris Tews of the School of Regimental Training (SRT). Exercise Legionnaire is but one phase of a comprehensive course which teaches and tests all the skills required of a senior NCO. Communication, writing and giving of orders, preparation and planning, and administration procedures are all taught in the earlier stages of

the course. Instructors put in long hours coming back in the evenings to help the students in their own time. Each phase is tested and soldiers who fail have an opportunity for re-test-ing before exercise Legionnaire .The soldiers on this course have all passed the terminals to this point. They put this down to the quality of the instruction and the support they get from each other. Scenarios are as real as possible. The instructors will withdraw soldiers from the syndicate for the duration of the task if negligence by the leader causes their "death". Cpl Patea was the

chosen leader for the first task. A military policeman by trade he is no stranger to leadership but the scenario of collecting ammunition and food from across a mined, contaminated river was a little out of his normal line of work. He got the syndicate to build a makeshift bridge using ropes, planks and drums. Two of the soldiers risked their lives (and dry clothes) to collect the stores for the team. Under Cpl Patea's orders the task was completed with no loss of life, but 10 minutes over the allowed time. All students must pass the leadership tests and complete the walk to pass the course.