RAF Regiment field gunners course to be binned??

[insert-coin-here]

Can anyone confirm this?And why the feck would they bin such a outstanding course/test?

For those who dont know what the gen on this is..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-YsgMr79Y0

[London Boy]

Personally, I don't see the need for the field gunner's course.

As soon as you get on a field sqn, you're going to be doing that type of training on a regular basis anyway. I was. And what you don't train for you learn on the job and from the other lads.

I did the RAF Regt trade training (as it used to be called) in 1980. And that included most of the stuff covered on the FG course anyway.

Seems to me they're just dragging out the depot training for a gunner unnecessarily and stepping on the toes of the trainers on field squadrons.

And funnily enough we also had a yank Captain on the staff- from the USAF Combat Security Police.

Capt. Sorensen in that film seems to be a US Army Ranger.

Final note, what bright spark on the RAF Training Sec. came up with the course name, field gunner?

A field gunner is an artillery man in the Royal Artillery FFS!

field sqn. gunner would have been better and more correct.

---------------------
Ex II Sqn - gunners jumping out of balloons and aeroplanes since way back when

[insert-coin-here]

The thing is that although the basic gunner is very good and pretty comprehensive it is exactly what it says on the can...basic.Due to the current operational tempo on the field sqns at the mo it is not always possible to run all the specialist cardes ect that the field squadrons would like to.Indeed chances are a newly passed out gunner is going to find themselvs out somwhere sandy in mega quick time.The feedback from the squadrons has been overwhelmingly positive (so I am led to believe) with reguards to the abilities of the LAC's that are coming through the course.If anything it is taking pressure off of the training staff on the sqns as they are not having to waste time on any indervidual coaching in certain areas of the LAC's soldiering ability.If the word from the squadrons themselvs is positive why mag to grid the course?

[London Boy]

Granted and I agree in today's climate with ops in several sandy spots I can see that sqn trainers are glad for the extra training at the depot. But during your average year, when nothing live is going on then perhaps the FG isn't of such importance or need. Maybe?

[insert-coin-here]

Certainly in a time where the tempo isnt quite as demanding I could see the relevance of the course being less.But as i am sure you are aware the lads are on there chinstrap's getting everything done.Basically getting all the cardes/courses in for regular FS duties (snipers,soggies,sf,combat medic,recce ect)on top of squadron build up training (senny ect) is all time consuming.Put leave,AT (snigger),jnco/snco (less on squadron instructors) ect into the mix and your specific in-theatre training (stan and iraq are two different animals) and the time for the more standard stuff is greatly reduced.I totally agree with your point that the most valuble stuff you learn is at the sharp end,however I like the fact that the lads are getting a extra 3 week thrashing if it means they are that little bit more on point when they get sandy side.

[Tab]

Out curiosity can any one tell me the last time the RAF used a field gun in Action

[harry hackedoff]

Acton you say?
Wasn`t it Ealing?
Or even Osterley

[London Boy]

Out curiosity can any one tell me the last time the RAF used a field gun in Action

Tab mate, that is exactly why I dislike the title of the course. Hence my RA comment to the same affect as yours.

[Long Timer]

Don't know about the RAF, but the RAF Regt has FIELD Sqns, and the troops trade is GUNNER. Prior to being employed on the aforementioned units some extra trg is required. I'm sure you can work out the rest.

[Alfa]

I know this question will seem like a bite but.......... Why is it that the RAF Regt always seem to compare themselves to the Paras & Marines?

At the very start of the video the guy is going on about how it will allow them to "stand toe to toe with the Paras & Marines in the bar" etc... but the RAF Regt's role isn't really anything similar to them.

Like I said, I'm not trying to start off a slagging match or anything just curious as to why they do it.

[London Boy]

Don't know about the RAF, but the RAF Regt has FIELD Sqns, and the troops trade is GUNNER. Prior to being employed on the aforementioned units some extra trg is required. I'm sure you can work out the rest.

Doh..we know that already. The objection myself and Tab pointed out is that a field gunner is an artilleryman and the extra training that RAF Regt gunners get after BG would be more correctly alled Field Sqn Gunner training. You see?

[davo141]

Ref your last Alpha its just a long standing Inferiority complex theyve gained over the years :multi:

x

[London Boy]

Alfa, as an ex-Rockape myself, I cringed when he said that. And I still cringe everytime someone likens the RAF Regt to the paras and the marines. RAF Regt training is a walk in the park compared with P Company and with RM training.

One can liken the RAF Regt to the Royal Marines in only one way, in that they are both the "infantry" or ground troops of their respective arms
i.e. RAF and RN. And that's where the similarity ends in my opinion.

When I did my trade training at RAF Catterick in 1980 I thought the physical, the fieldcraft, the exercises, trench digging, rock climbing etc. was a good laugh and a piece of piss. The hardest part was staying awake all the time! I got bollocked for dozing off a couple of times.

The first time I really felt the strain physically was when I started pre-para on II Sqn.

[Long Timer]

At the very start of the video the guy is going on about how it will allow them to "stand toe to toe with the Paras & Marines in the bar" etc

Like I said, I'm not trying to start off a slagging match or anything just curious as to why they do it.

Probably because he has previous service with at least one of the units mentioned. Also he is using a figure of speech whilst trying to motivate his troops and instil a sense of pride prior to an extremely physical event. Have you any experience of this type of thing? If so you will know exactly what I am talking about.

LT

[gunner75]

Done both P-coy and Regiment training and London boy is spot on with his observation phys wise.