Assault pioneer course - info please

[oldcolt]

Got too much time on my hands at work today and so spending it on Arrse. Consequently, this is very much, a 'would like to' course enquiry rather than 'I would kill for that course' enquiry. That being said, I always enjoyed blowing things up as a kid (action man tanks, airfix kits, my little brother; usual stuff) and feel that the same skill/ psychotic fixation might come in handy at some point in Afghanistan. Anyone know about the above course, what's involved etc. Thanks..


To the MODS, I've searched this to death and found nothing on Arrsepedia/ forums etc, so appologies if there is already a thread here somewhere

 

[msr]

But have you asked your PSI ?

 

[therealbigdizzle]

Got too much time on my hands at work today and so spending it on Arrse. Consequently, this is very much, a 'would like to' course enquiry rather than 'I would kill for that course' enquiry. That being said, I always enjoyed blowing things up as a kid (action man tanks, airfix kits, my little brother; usual stuff) and feel that the same skill/ psychotic fixation might come in handy at some point in Afghanistan.

don't know much about the course, but in TA terms I know that when my old battalion got mobilised the assault pioneers were just returned to being Riflemen, as were the AT Pl / SF Pl / Mortar Pl etc.

So, from what I've seen, it looks like a dead fun course (not just blowing stuff up but building rafts and digging holes too) but as a TA soldier there might be a reduced chance of you actually getting to blow siht up.

if you really want to go to Afghan and watch things go boom you might be better off in RE... or RA naturally!

 

[oldcolt]

Got too much time on my hands at work today and so spending it on Arrse. Consequently, this is very much, a 'would like to' course enquiry rather than 'I would kill for that course' enquiry. That being said, I always enjoyed blowing things up as a kid (action man tanks, airfix kits, my little brother; usual stuff) and feel that the same skill/ psychotic fixation might come in handy at some point in Afghanistan.

don't know much about the course, but in TA terms I know that when my old battalion got mobilised the assault pioneers were just returned to being Riflemen, as were the AT Pl / SF Pl / Mortar Pl etc.

So, from what I've seen, it looks like a dead fun course (not just blowing stuff up but building rafts and digging holes too) but as a TA soldier there might be a reduced chance of you actually getting to blow siht up.

if you really want to go to Afghan and watch things go boom you might be better off in RE... or RA naturally!

I was thinking of mousehole charges/ removing/ clearing fields of fire etc

 

[The_Duke]

oldcolt,

The realistic chances of you doing that on ops based on a two week TA cadre are slim to feck all. If you are in the Asslt Pnr Pl and can do a reasonable amount of continuation training, reports to prove competency etc, then possibly, just possibly you migh have a chance.

From my understanding of how it works, it is most likely to be your attached RE doing the bangs, with inf giving their fire support/protection.

Concentrate on CIC first, and remember that sangar in Bastion isn't going to man itself!

 

[HOllOS]

Got too much time on my hands at work today and so spending it on Arrse. Consequently, this is very much, a 'would like to' course enquiry rather than 'I would kill for that course' enquiry. That being said, I always enjoyed blowing things up as a kid (action man tanks, airfix kits, my little brother; usual stuff) and feel that the same skill/ psychotic fixation might come in handy at some point in Afghanistan.

don't know much about the course, but in TA terms I know that when my old battalion got mobilised the assault pioneers were just returned to being Riflemen, as were the AT Pl / SF Pl / Mortar Pl etc.

So, from what I've seen, it looks like a dead fun course (not just blowing stuff up but building rafts and digging holes too) but as a TA soldier there might be a reduced chance of you actually getting to blow siht up.

if you really want to go to Afghan and watch things go boom you might be better off in RE... or RA naturally!

Were sending a assault pioneer plt out with 3 rifles to used as exactly as assault pioneers, the course is/was at Malta barracks you need to the basic 2 week pioneer course then do the second 2 week course to be a full pioneer it covers everything from dems to water purification and boats and bar mines just for fun

 

[Rudie]

Them f ucking shelves won't put up themselves you know.

 

[yater_spoon]

The TA assault pioneer cadre covers the same modules as the regular cadre so the basic skills will still be the same. Our unit just ran an AP cadre for those wishing to mobilise with 3 rifles and it was a condition of mobilisation that they wanted trained assault pioneer troops, however no one seemed to have told the AP Sjt of 3 rifles what the score was. My feeling is they will be integrated into the rifle companies rather than doing assault pioneer tasks, one of which is explosive methods of entry.

 

[The_Duke]

The TA assault pioneer cadre covers the same modules as the regular cadre so the basic skills will still be the same. Our unit just ran an AP cadre for those wishing to mobilise with 3 rifles and it was a condition of mobilisation that they wanted trained assault pioneer troops, however no one seemed to have told the AP Sjt of 3 rifles what the score was. My feeling is they will be integrated into the rifle companies rather than doing assault pioneer tasks, one of which is explosive methods of entry.

A cadre is fine, but before I would let them loose with PE in close proximity to friendly forces I would expect a fair amount of practical experience to back up the 2 week cadre. If they are not doing it during PDT, do not expect to be doing it on Ops.

Strangely enough, I always looked to my attached RE section for bangs, not Pte Bloggs who did a 2 week cadre a few years before.

 

[therealbigdizzle]

The TA assault pioneer cadre covers the same modules as the regular cadre so the basic skills will still be the same.

doesn't necessarily matter. whilst that may be the case, we all know the TA are looked down at on ops, largely.

and the same modules DOESN'T mean the same experience. TA basic = 4 weeks, Regs basic 24. similar with a lot of the courses... we may get to learn all the modules in the book but that dont mean we'll rememberr them.

 

[oldcolt]

The TA assault pioneer cadre covers the same modules as the regular cadre so the basic skills will still be the same. Our unit just ran an AP cadre for those wishing to mobilise with 3 rifles and it was a condition of mobilisation that they wanted trained assault pioneer troops, however no one seemed to have told the AP Sjt of 3 rifles what the score was. My feeling is they will be integrated into the rifle companies rather than doing assault pioneer tasks, one of which is explosive methods of entry.

A cadre is fine, but before I would let them loose with PE in close proximity to friendly forces I would expect a fair amount of practical experience to back up the 2 week cadre. If they are not doing it during PDT, do not expect to be doing it on Ops.

Strangely enough, I always looked to my attached RE section for bangs, not Pte Bloggs who did a 2 week cadre a few years before.

No sense of adventure some folks!!!

 

[The_Duke]

I know - boring old me...

 

[oldcolt]

I know - boring old me...

Can I play with the PE Sir, can I? Hmmm, can I? can I? can I? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gluck_ab]

Got too much time on my hands at work today and so spending it on Arrse. Consequently, this is very much, a 'would like to' course enquiry rather than 'I would kill for that course' enquiry. That being said, I always enjoyed blowing things up as a kid (action man tanks, airfix kits, my little brother; usual stuff) and feel that the same skill/ psychotic fixation might come in handy at some point in Afghanistan.

don't know much about the course, but in TA terms I know that when my old battalion got mobilised the assault pioneers were just returned to being Riflemen, as were the AT Pl / SF Pl / Mortar Pl etc.

So, from what I've seen, it looks like a dead fun course (not just blowing stuff up but building rafts and digging holes too) but as a TA soldier there might be a reduced chance of you actually getting to blow siht up.

if you really want to go to Afghan and watch things go boom you might be better off in RE... or RA naturally!

My bold - what? And the blokes in the rifle sections won't see that stuff happening themselves up close? And, correct me if i'm wrong, if you're in the RA, unless you're in the FOO party, in an FST or in overwatch in an OP or something similar, you're not going to see much yourself unless you're using the kit in the direct fire role.

 

[Gluck_ab]

The TA assault pioneer cadre covers the same modules as the regular cadre so the basic skills will still be the same.

doesn't necessarily matter. whilst that may be the case, we all know the TA are looked down at on ops, largely.
and the same modules DOESN'T mean the same experience. TA basic = 4 weeks, Regs basic 24. similar with a lot of the courses... we may get to learn all the modules in the book but that dont mean we'll rememberr them.

My bold - on what evidence do you base that statement?

 

[chally2]

Oldcolt I'm actually working with some TA Assault Pioneer guys just now. They are working on a motte and bailey fort for a reenactment goup in Scotland.

They have some good banter and if you want me to ask anything drop me a PM.

Chally

 

[oldcolt]

Oldcolt I'm actually working with some TA Assault Pioneer guys just now. They are working on a motte and bailey fort for a reenactment goup in Scotland.

They have some good banter and if you want me to ask anything drop me a PM.

Chally

This Motte and bailey doesn't have anything to do with an MP improving their second/ 1st home by any chance?!

Thanks for that chally. PM you in a minute or two

 

[chally2]

If it did I'd be making sure that the foundations were very shaky. Given that there are three ex members of HMF working on the site as well as the TA lot I think we would be causing chaos.

Chally