Train Hard, Fight Easy: PDT Meets the Mark

by Lt Col RJ Dowdell, OC NSE

Background to Pre Deployment Training

August and September 2006 saw a fresh contingent of NZ troops involved in pre-deployment training as they prepared for the October rotation to Afghanistan.  Pre deployment training (PDT) was conducted in the South Island, by HQ 3 LFG, between Christchurch and Tekapo. 

• Images of PDT in the South Island.

Despite the additional strain PDT places on people immediately prior to deploying, its value across a range of health, safety and professional considerations cannot be quantified. 

Below are my thoughts on the value of PDT, after one month in theatre as part of the NZ National Support Element, Bagram, Afghanistan.

Preparatory Week

The contingent was drawn from personnel across the three services and from a variety of trade-groups, so a full week of preparatory training ensured a minimum basic level of competence was understood across the contingent.

The preparatory week taught basic land operations skills to RNZN and RNZAF personnel and provided the Army contingent -  who may have not practiced the skills for some time - an opportunity to refresh themselves before commencing training as a contingent. 

On-road skilled driving and off-road driver continuation training was delivered by highly qualified Army Driving instructors to selected contingent members, who had earlier been identified as requiring those skills in their operational appointments.

The HQ 3LFG training team noticeably enhanced individual weapon and field skills during this period, which gave the contingent command staff the ability to advance the collective group far more rapidly that expected.

Similarly, driver training skills taught during this phase developed individual self-confidence and understanding of vehicle capabilities, resulting in commanders being able to further focus on specific-to-theatre skills and enhance safe driving practices.

Weapon Training

Working in close proximity to people, in confined spaces, adverse weather, under stress,  when fatigued, and with loaded firearms, requires constant awareness of safety. This comes with time and practice.

There is no alternative to an intense period immediately before deployment in conditions that best replicate your operational environment. 

PDT is a fantastic chance to develop self-confidence and personal and collective competence, capability and awareness of safety. 

It was heartening to observe teams mechanically executing seemingly orchestrated training objectives. . Accuracy and speed can come with continuation training over time, but safety needs to be addressed immediately.

It remains a key focus in theatre for New Zealand troops and no less so across the other coalition force elements.  PDT heightened awareness and execution of safe practices for all NSE personnel, which has become second-nature once deployed. 

Driver Skills

Later in PDT, drivers who would be predominantly operating in urban terrain engaged in specialist driver skills training in built-up areas, operating in vehicles that would be used in the deployment area. Conditions as similar to those that would be experienced in theatre were replicated to gain maximum training benefit. 

These skills were reconfirmed and tested in theatre and the resultant assessment by the incumbent NSE was that the in-coming rotation were at a more advanced trained state than they, at the commencement of their tour.  Lessons learnt and Comd Recon Team analysis are making positive headway in preparing follow-on rotations for deployment.

 Seasonal Variations

If nothing else, a month without rain, with its surrounding snow-capped vista, Tekapo has to be one of the better New Zealand venues to prepare for winter rotations to cold climates.

Tekapo is renowned for being climatically unpleasant at times, but it provided us a reasonably good parallel to early winter conditions in Afghanistan. Cold and dry with unpredictable, cutting winds. 

The sub-alpine areas of Tekapo and the Southern Alps provide snow survival and driving opportunities, and allow individuals the chance to assess food and water intake requirements and cold weather clothing needs that differ from more temperate conditions.

For Bagram-based people, the surrounding Hindu-Kush is not unlike the Southern Alps and the open plains running through to Kabul are not dissimilar to Canterbury.  Weather extremes in Afghanistan can be harsher than Tekapo, but for those who have spent little time at altitude and in poor weather, Tekapo serves as a sound training environment for initiation into those conditions.

Dressed for the Occasion

Increasing one’s body-weight by 20-25Kg with; helmet, body armour, rifle and webbing loaded to capacity from the moment you rise until turning in at night, took some initial getting used to, particularly in a slightly elevated altitude. By the conclusion of PDT, however, everyone had become accustomed to the added weight regardless of the physical nature of tasks.  This has proved to make tasks in theatre much simpler, with all NSE personnel comfortable with personal equipment set up and weight distribution.  On arrival all members were versed in operating quickly in and around vehicles without too much difficulty. 

Group Cohesion

Training and living together for PDT provides a snap-shot of individual strengths, weaknesses and personality differences that can later affect group cohesion in theatre.  Every team member was trained for all operational patrol roles outside their speciality.  This built mutual trust through competence in, and an understanding of common duties. 

PDT struck a good balance between allowing NZNSE to work closely with each other, but also allowed interaction with NZPRT groups, to ensure that early tribalism was avoided and a sense of belonging to the wider contingent cemented.  This was essential as once in Afghanistan, contingent bonding is harder given the geographic dislocation experienced between NZNSE and the PRT.

Having previously deployed on operations with variations of PDT ranging from none to good, I am certainly an advocate for its continuation. Like all training, lessons learnt in theatre and observations made during Comd Reconnaissance should drive toward tailoring training to keep pace with change and prevent it being outdated.  Therefore it is essential for a representative from each location or functional group to attend reconnaissance opportunities, in order to ensure that PDT targets discreet differing requirements within the mission groups.

With Thanks

The list of individuals and groups that support PDT is extensive and therefore to avoid omitting an individual I will recognise a pertinent few.

Linton has some large shoes to fill following the efforts that Warrant Officer (WO) 1 Wilson of HQ 3LFG has made in coordinating and delivering PDT while in Burnham.  The majority of his work has passed unseen and therefore he must be commended publicly for obtaining the personnel and resources that allowed quality training to be conducted, particularly given NZDF’s current operational tempo.

And Commander 3 LFG for releasing the skilled Weapons, Logistic and Adventure training staff whose patience and application have enhanced safety, self and group confidence and survivability for all those deploying.

Finally and most importantly. To the families and partners who have sacrificed their personal time, in order to allow their loved ones to be better prepared for the deployment.  Your support and approval which has continued through the early stages of our time in Afghanistan, remains the most vital source of motivation and job satisfaction for everyone.

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