Story:Potential NCOs Course
Location: Lynch Camp, Kilworth, Co Cork
Date: July 9th 2009
A Potential NCOs course is one of the toughest courses in the Defence Forces. At twenty-four weeks long, it is very demanding both physically and mentally, turning private soldiers into the battlefield leaders of tomorrow.
As 41 students of the 11 Pot NCOs Course (1 S BTC) were brought through a rigorous battle PT exercise it is easy to see the camaraderie that was built up during the course. The course was not over yet however and several students still had to pass their Section Commander’s test.
’There are three modules to the course. Module One deals with weapons skills, physical training, battle drills and tactical awareness including administration in the field, Module Two is Methods of Instruction and Module Three is a tactical block.’ explained Platoon Commander Lt James Murray, ‘Our main goal is to encourage leadership. We want to take a private soldier and take them on a 24-week course and in the end come out with a Junior leader in the Defence Forces.’
’What you see here today are students undergoing a Section Commander’s tests. We are testing them in a battle situation,’ said Sgt Darren Cody (Platoon Sergeant), ‘we want to see how they would operate and react under pressure. Putting their command and control skills into practice and get their section into action.’ ‘They are a great platoon. This week they done exceptionally well and I would have no qualms’ in saying that every one of them will make a great NCO.’
By Wesley Bourke