GREAT TRAINING RESULTS CONTINUE AT ARMY TRAINING UNIT (ATU) NI

From the start of the new training year in April, ATU (NI) has been delivering Common Military Syllabus (CMS) (Reserve) Phase 1 (Alpha) training and building momentum towards the unit’s three week consolidated Phase 1 (Alpha) and (Bravo) course in August 2017 which will be delivered at both Ballykinler and Magilligan Training Centres. During this period ATU (NI) delivered a very successful Phase 1 (Bravo) course in April with 44 recruits reporting for training.  Over 200 guests attended the pass off parade, including a large contingent from the Army Cadet Force who assisted in the running of the parade.
 
The unit is looking forward to the demanding period ahead during which recruits from across the UK will travel to ATU (NI) as a location of first choice. Most importantly, ATU (NI) is realising its primary aim of providing trained soldiers for the Field Army directly contributing to operational capability and evidencing NI’s ability to recruit and train high calibre men and women for the Army Reserve.

But ATU (NI) is not just about recruit training and the Commanding Officer places significant emphasis on the development of instructors and those who support activities within the unit.  In June, eighteen members of ATU (NI) travelled to Belgium and Holland for a battlefield study.

Centre of operations was established at Arnhem which facilitated a detailed study of the actions of the Airborne Brigades during Op MARKET GARDEN in the town and surrounding areas during September 1944 and included a road trip following in the tracks of the Irish Guards from Joe’s Bridge just inside the Belgium border, on to Eindhoven and eventually Nijmegen.

Time was also allocated for a visit to Amsterdam on the final day which included an opportunity to visit the National Museum of Holland.  All in all, a humbling and informative experience which will be remembered by all.