Intermediate Army Cadet Course

Introduction

The Intermediate Army Cadet Course is designed to provide you with information on 3 subjects related to the Army as well as one subject related to the ROTTWEILER Corps to give you the information you need to be successful as a ROTTWEILER Army Cadet. The information provided on this page will prepare you for your course test.

Each lesson below will cover one of the 4 subjects and there will be questions on the test which reflect on each lesson, so make sure to pay close attention. 

Once you are ready click on the TAKE THE TEST link, and you will be directed to the Intermediate Army Cadet Course Test. 

When you have completed the course test you will be notified by email of your results on the test and whether or not you have passed. In order to pass the test you must get a minimum of 7 out of the 10 questions correct.

In order to be promoted to Private you must pass this course, complete a level 1 trade and have 14 days time in rank as a Cadet.

Lesson One: Radio Communications

Radio Communication is an invaluable resource to an Army at war. It means that information can be passed across distances without risking lives with messengers. However there are also risks associated with it such as the enemy being able to hear what the side is communicating, also on a Radio Net more than one person is typically part of the System and also interference may happen making the radio messages hard to understand, for this reason there are procedures that must be learnt.

Being Heard Clearly:

Voice messages are to be sent in a way that makes them readily understood. Unless attention is paid to the manner of speech and the position of the microphone, transmission will be unsatisfactory and time will be wasted in calling for repetitions and corrections. Remember to hold the microphone close to the mouth. Speech will be more easily understood if the following rules are obeyed:

1. RHYTHM : Keep a natural rhythm. Divide messages into sensible phrases.

2. SPEED : Slightly slower than normal conversation.

3. VOLUME : As for normal conversation. Shouting causes over modulation which results in distorted signal.

4. PITCH : The voice should be pitched higher than usual

You can remember these factors using the word "RSVP".

The phonetic Alphabet is also used to spell out letters and when the pronunciation of a word may be misunderstood to aid the listener in interpreting the message. 

Prowords are easily pronounceable words or letters that have a specific meaning. These can be employed to increase the efficiency of the message, for example AB is "All Before" on a Morse Code Net.

Phonetic Alphabet:

A - Alpha

B - Bravo

C - Charlie

D - Delta

E - Echo

F - Foxtrot

G - Gulf

H - Hotel

I - India

J - Juliet

K - Kilo

L - Lima

M - Mike

N - November

O - Oscar

P - Papa

Q - Quebec

R - Romeo

S - Sierra

T - Tango

U - Uniform

V - Victor

X - X-Ray

Y - Yankee

Z - Zulu

Lesson Two: Section Formations

When patrolling, there are different formations that may be followed to reduce being seen but increase what the patrol can see and make their operating efficiency much higher, in this lesson we will discover the main 5. It is important to remember spacings when patrolling. In all diagrams the arrows point to the way the patrol/troops would be facing.

The First is the "Straight Line".

This formation is made up of the Patrol formed up in a straight line, just like a Queue!

Used on: Straight Features such as Hedges, Narrow Tracks and Walls

The diagram below shows how this looks from an aerial view.

The Second Formation is "File" this involves patrolling as two staggered files.

Used on: Tracks that are wide enough

The diagram below shows a "file" formation.

The Third formation is "Arrowhead". This is patrolling in the shape of the pointy end of an Arrowhead 

Used on: Open Countryside such as a field 

The Diagram below shows an Arrowhead formation:

The Fourth formation is the "Extended Line". Note how the direction arrows are different from those of the Straight Line formation in the diagram below.

Used on: The approach to attack an enemy.

The Last but not least important formation is the "Diamond Formation", this involves moving in the shape of a diamond, this has the advantage in that Prisoners of War (PoW's) or Casualties or dignitaries can be surrounded and protected from harm as best as possible. 

Used on: At night or for transporting PoW's or Casualties.

Lesson Three: Section Battle Drills

The six steps of Section Battle Drill can be condensed into the word "PREWAR"

P : Prep for Battle

R : Reaction to Effective Enemy Fire

E : Enemy Location (Locate the Enemy)

W : Winning the Fire Fight

A : Attack

R : Re-organise 

Preparation to Battle:

Can be remembered as PAWPERS

P - Protection (Put out a sentry or get section/ fireteam in "all round defence")

A - Ammunition (make sure your section have enough servicable ammo and that it is distributed properly) 

W - Weapons (Make sure that weapons are cleaned, servicable, and sights are set at 300)

P - Personal Camoflauge (cam up yourself, and your section; buddy buddy system)

E - Equipment (make sure you have all your equipment, it is prepared and fully packed i.e. CEFO/ CEMO)

R - Rations and water (make sure your section has full water bottles and rations i.e. Midday meal)

S - Specialist equipment (distribute LAWs, Guns, Radios etc.)

Orders (give a set of orders to brief troops on task)  

Reaction to Effective Enemy Fire:

Effective Enemy Fire is: "Enemy small arms fire which would cause heavy casualties should the section continue on its course" . Sections must be trained to continue the advance in spite of the noise of fire directed at someone else regardless of stray rounds amongst them.

It is very important that at the first sign of effective enemy fire your section does not instantaneously drop to the ground in fright as would be a natural reaction. To combat this there are a few simple drills that should be followed upon reciept of the words of command: 

• "Take Cover!"

• "Dash"

• "Down"

• "Crawl"

• "Observe"

• "Sights"

• "Return Fire"

Dash: Sprint Forwards in Zig-Zag Patterns

Down: Dive or Fall to the ground (Preferably near some cover)

Crawl: Crawl in Zig-Zag shapes to nearest cover

Observe: Observe the enemy through your sights to gain an

Sights: Ensure your sights are set to the correct distance

Return Fire: Fire at targets/enemy whilst the section commander forms a plan of attack.

Location of the Enemy:

Location of the enemy is ussually very difficult. Failure to locate the enemy may prevent the section moving without suffering heavy casualties. It may lead rapidly to loss of initiave by the section and the halting of the platoon advance.

Ways to locate the enemy are:

Observation

Fire Aggregative shots

Movement

Target Indication

Winning the Fire Fight:

As soon as the section commander knows the location of the enemy, he must give a fire order to direct his fire onto the enemy to neutralise them. If one of the section has seen the enemy and is firing at them before the order is given, the section commander must regain control by shouting "Stop". While winning the firefight, the section commander must make his battle appreciation. Having won the firefight, he must continue to bring down fire on the enemy while his section closes for the assault. 

Attack:

Once the firefight is won, the section will close down on the enemy and perform an assault to fight through the enemy positon and eliminate all enemy forces. The section will use fire and movement to move towards the enemy position. The section will the use one of two assault methods to close-with and kill the enemy.

When the objective has been cleared of the enemy, the section commander must regain control over his cadets and postion them ready to beat off any enemy counter attack. He must also check the state of his section and prepare them for their next objective, or prepare them for defence. The drill for reorganisation must be swift and efficient. If it is not all ground gained will be quickly lost.