Officer Cadets Section

Annual Camp - 2007

Details from the 2007 Annual Camp are below

See the Warning Order for Annual Camp 2007 here (PDF)

To view this best see the PDF file above

INTRODUCTION

1. Annual Camp in 2007 will be held on the Sennybridge Training Area (SENTA) over the period Friday 22 June to Friday 06 July 07.

2. The training area lies slightly to the west of Brecon in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons. The ground is hilly rather than mountainous and is covered with very rough grazing as well as numerous woods and forestry blocks that vary in size from a few acres to several square miles. The climate is unique, unpredictable and pays no heed to the changing seasons. English is still the most common language but once across the River Severn all road and information signs are in Welsh and English.

3. ULOTC is to undertake a 15 day deployment to confirm previous MTQ1, MTQ 2 and some Special to Arm training; conduct a full spectrum range package up to Stage 5 (Field Firing) and support LDRTC in the conduct of a TA Module 3 Cadre - in order to encourage first year OCdts to proceed to MTQ2 training; select second year OCdts for future command appointments in Athlone Company and to facilitate those OCdts seeking to undertake TACC while increasing throughout the Exercise the weapon handling confidence and marksmanship ability across ULOTC.

4. The Objectives below are to underpin all training conducted over Annual Camp 07:

a. Confirmation of previous MTQ1 training (A Coy).

b. Confirmation of previous MTQ2 training (B Coy).

c. Confirmation of previous Special to Arm training (B and C Coys).

c. Selection of MTQ 2 qualified OCdts for command appointment within ULOTC for Training Year 07 / 08.

d. Consideration of OCdts who should be encouraged to consider a career in the Regular Army or the TA.

e. Completion of MATT 1 including APWT by the greatest possible number of OCdts in order to allow progression to Battle Shooting Ranges and Field Firing.

f. Conduct a TA Module 3 course in order to facilitate potential TACC candidates from ULOTC alongside LDRTC TA Potential Officers.

g. Conduct a physically demanding, exciting, challenging and enjoyable Battalion level Exercise as the conclusion of the Training Year.

h. At all times and in all training to instil the values, standards and ethos of the British Army.

EXECUTION

5. Intent. The Commanding Officer’s intent is to use Annual Camp to consolidate all training conducted in the 06/07 Training Year; to select O/Cdts to lead Athlone Company in the Training Year 07/08 and to provide a launch pad to continued participation in ULOTC by those returning to continue their studies in Oct 07. The conduct of a comprehensive Range and Field Firing package is integral to success in meeting this intent.

6. Scheme of Manoeuvre. In Week One, ULOTC will conduct Military Annual Training Tests (MATT) One, under central arrangements that will include the APWT. Sub units will, when not firing on the ranges, conduct tactical field training under their own arrangements and are to spend a minimum of 2 consecutive nights in the field. The transition to the battalion exercise will include a 24 hr period for relaxation and administration. A drumhead service will then precede orders for deployment onto the battalion exercise. The CO’s Orders Group (O Gp) will be conducted as a demonstration for all OCdts. The FTX will run for 6 days and will include 5 nights in the field.

7. Main Effort.

a. Week One. The Main Effort in Week One will be the Range Package. Preliminary selection of OCdts from B Coy for command appointments in Athlone Company for the next training year should fall out of field training conducted when not on the ranges.

b. Week Two. The main effort in Week Two will be a battalion level exercise. This will provide a comprehensive framework within which all OCdts can revise all aspects of their military and leadership training to date in a way that is challenging, fulfilling and enjoyable and which will facilitate the selection of the OCdt hierarchy for 07 / 08.

COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS

7. Recce. An initial recce has been conducted by the Training Major, Infantry PSI and QM staffs. On the basis of this recce both the ranges and training areas were booked and these have been confirmed by SENTA. Further recce by the Permanent Staff will be arranged early in the New Year. It is hoped to arrange a recce facility for TA staffs but distance and timing may make this difficult for some.

8. Attendance. The Adjutant will issue an instruction that requires a response from all OCdts indicating intent or otherwise to attend Annual Camp. This will be issued shortly after Xmas leave. Once issued, responses are to be chased and coordinated by companies (Training Officers, CSM, JUOs and PSIs).

9. Main Instruction and Main Events List (MEL). The Exercise Instruction and MEL will be issued to companies by 01 Mar 07 and will be posted on the ULOTC website. Individual Range Instructions and Company Training Packages are to be formalised and documented by 01 May 07 and distributed as required.

10. Scenario. An Exercise scenario will be issued prior to the Main Instruction and will also be posted on the website.

COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT

11. Specialist Stores. The Training Major has had an initial Logistic Support conference in order to initiate requests for additional stores and vehicles. The notes from that meeting have been issued to those concerned.

12. Accommodation. It is not intended to take over Sennybridge Camp other than to provide a logistic base for the G4 (QM) staffs to support the deployment. However, the bid for facilities included 5 farmhouses out on the training area. These have been renovated and are weatherproof and will provide shelter from the elements in the event of inclement weather. Three of the farms are close to the Range complex and will be used as a base for that package – they take a company each. The other two farms are at the eastern end of the area and will be used as the base for the middle weekend with its 24 hour Stand Down, BBQ, reorganisation of company orders of battle (ORBATs) and the CO’s OGp. These farms are rather larger and have heating, lighting and showers. They will be used as a forward operating base prior to deployment on the battalion exercise. Thereafter they will be available for use only in the event of severely inclement weather.

14. Civilian clothing. A change of casual civilian clothing (jeans permitted) will be required for the stand down day and BBQ. Sports kit will be required for some activities over the stand down period.

15. Private Cars. Private cars are not to be taken by OCdts or staff and MMA claims will not be admissible.

16. Dogs. Dogs are forbidden. Given the density of the sheep population in Sennybridge any dog loose on the area risks being shot.

COMMAND AND SIGNAL

17. All queries regarding Annual Camp should be raised through the chain of command – cadet to JUO to PSIs to Company staff. However, the Training Major’s door is always open and he will be delighted to dispel any of the wilder rumours about Annual Camp before wide circulation gives them credibility. Alternatively his ULOTC telephone is: 0207 414 3800.

18. OCdts should enjoy Annual Camp 07 and come away with a real sense of achievement.

ULOTC Annual Camp 2007
Friday 22 June – Friday 06 July
Exercise
COCKN – Y – GLYNDWR

These notes are intended to overcome some of the wilder rumours circulating about annual camp. If anyone would like to seek further clarification on any issue raised by these notes or the more scurrilous rumours circulating about Camp then please email the Training Major direct tm@ulotc.co.uk The CO’s intent is to deliver a challenging but enjoyable culmination to the training year with live firing ranges being the centre piece of the whole package.

These notes are attached as a MS WORD Rich Text File to this email, and are identical to the contents of this email.

See http://www.ulotc.co.uk/cadets_annualcamp.html for more information.

Outline:

Fri 22 Jun - Muster in Handel St from 1800hrs. Evening meal and then overnight in TAC. Equipment checks, next of kin checks, pay and other pre deployment admin.

Sat 23 Jun – Breakfast in Handel St then deploy by coach to Sennybridge (4 hrs). In the afternoon settle into farms followed by some low level training directed by OC. Main emphasis to be on weapon handling tests (WHT) prior to start of range package.

Sun 24 Jun – As for Saturday. Low level tactical training under Coy arrangements but all personnel must have been put through WHT by close of play.

Monday 25 to Friday 29 Jun – A five day range package. Firing times on the ranges are 0900 – 1600 except for Tue 26 and Thu 28 when we can night fire till 0200 hrs. The intent is that A Coy personnel complete Grouping, Zeroing and Application of Fire practices; the Annual Personal Weapon Test (APWT); the Individual Battle Shooting Range (firing from different positions from behind different types of cover (walls, trenches, logs, roof tops) and at least one night shoot from a defensive position. B and C Coy personnel will do the same package but will progress faster and therefore further in order to allow them to conduct Live Firing Tactical Training that will include live fire and manoeuvre in pairs and, finally, a live firing Section Attack.

Saturday 30 Jun – This will be a stand down day. There will be transport into Sennybridge Camp to allow access to laundry facilities. It is possible that groups may be allowed into Brecon for a few hours at a time on a shuttle basis from Sennybridge Camp. In the evening there will be a BBQ back at the Farms.

Sun 01 Jul – There will be a Drumhead service of worship and the unit photograph will also be taken. The CO’s orders for the second week’s deployment will be given as a demonstration for all cadets. Deployment into harbour areas will take place just before last light in order to allow them to be established before last light.

Sun 01 - Fri 06 Jul – The final (FTX) phase of the exercise will last five days and five nights. It will see both Coys operating out of patrol harbours. There will be ample opportunity for section level patrols, section level attacks and platoon attacks. The final event will be an attack involving both A and B Coys. Patrol tasks and offensive ops will require belt kit and helmets but it is not planned that OCdts should have to yomp for miles with their bergans at any stage – this is not ‘Selection’ and is not the Cambrian Patrol competition – it is a training exercise. It is hoped that the enemy will be provided by C Coy personnel augmented by some recently qualified regular soldiers awaiting trade training. The intent is to allow consolidation of the year’s training and to maximise the number of command appointment opportunities. It is planned to be back in Handel St by mid afternoon Fri 06 Jul.

Accommodation Plan:

1 night – Handel Street TAC
8 nights – Farms 1 & 3 Sennybridge. These are renovated Farms with lighting, drying rooms, showers and ‘thunder boxes’. Sleeping is in dormitory type rooms on roll mats with sleeping bags.
5 nights – bashas in patrol bases

Feeding Plan:

9 days - container meals (breakfast and dinner) with packed meals for lunch.
5 days – 24 hr packs

Pay – It is intended that there will be a cash Pay Parade conducted in Handel St on Fri 22 Jun. This will provide OCdts with a cash advance against money to be earned at camp and allow the purchase of creature comforts during Camp.

Creature Comforts – The CQMS’s will run a facility at the Farms offering confectionary and cigarettes. Beer (canned) will also be available but this will be strictly controlled (as for soldiers on operations) because of the Live Firing Ranges being conducted throughout Week One. This rule will be relaxed on the nights of Friday 29 June and for the BBQ on Saturday 1 July.

ATTENDANCE

If you have not yet informed you Company of your intentions please do so as soon as possible using the form you should have received from your Company office. If you have not received a form and are not feeling very much wanted at the moment then please email tm@ulotc.co.uk giving your:

Name & initials:
Army No:
Company:
Whether Attending / Not Attending
Whether the full Camp or only the First Week/ Last Week
Rail Warrant requirement for travel in on 22 Jun and home on 06 Jul.