Officer Commanding
British Military Contingent
Nijmegen Marches
Puma Mk2 Avionic Manager, P2GPT, Yew 0A, #1037,MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH
Email: /
2015/RAF/NIJMEGEN/LocalQual
6 Jan 15
REQUEST TO UNDERTAKE LOCAL QUALIFICATION
Reference:
A. 2014DIN07-182 dated Dec 14.
1. Introduction. The Nijmegen Marches (NM) are an arduous challenge for team members and success is dependent on training and good leadership. History has proven that those who attempt the NM without having completed adequate training regularly fall short of the required standard. To that end, all BMC participants are required to complete a recognised qualifying event. The reasons for this are as follows:
a. Awareness. Gain an awareness of how arduous it can be to complete even half the mileage required at the NM, and therefore the necessity to undertake sufficient training.
b. Marching. Experience marching with other teams on a busy route.
c. Timescales. Adhere to timescales imposed by the Event organizers, and not solely those of your team leader (TL).
d. Routine. Undertake/develop your daily routine in unfamiliar surroundings (since marching will not be the only requirement for your team members whilst at the NM).
e. Experience. Learn skills and techniques from others with greater experience.
2. Formal qualifiers. In accordance with Ref A there are 2 formal qualifying marches organized for 2015; the RAF 2-Day March and the Scottish 2-Day March. Teams and individuals may use either one of these events for qualification as they all mirror closely the preparation and standards required for success at Nijmegen.
3. Local qualifiers. In exceptional circumstances (normally only operational requirements will suffice), and only with specific advance authorization from OC BMC (obtained through submission and approval of this form), teams may apply to qualify at events other than those stated above. These are known as ‘local qualifiers’. In these cases TL should first look for their team members to complete an existing 2-Day event (for example the Waendel Walk) but, as a last resort, may organize their own 2-Day route in the local area. Since these team members will not experience the environment detailed in para one, TL must ensure that the local qualifier fulfils as many of the aims as possible.
4. Application. In order for one or more team members to be authorized for a local qualifier TL are to complete Annex A and return it to the NMRO (who will forward the form to OC BMC) for consideration. The following information is required:
a. Nominal roll. Names of ALL team members who require a local qualifier.
b. Justification. Detailed explanation of why these team members are unable to attend any of the formal qualification events.
c. Team leader. Confirmation that the TL will attend the First-Time Team Leader (FTTL) weekend on 21-22 Mar 15 (experienced Nijmegen TL are not required to attend this event).
d. Proposed event. Provide details of your proposed event. I.e. “We are entered into the Waendel Walk” or “I intend to conduct a 2 day march of 25 miles per day in the RAF Cranwell area”.
e. Route maps. The total distance covered over 2 days must be at least 50 miles, roughly 25 miles per day. Copies of each day’s route must be supplied; Route maps for the Waendel Walk are not required.
f. Dates and timings. Each marching day must be completed within 9 hrs. All participants must have successfully qualified before the Stage 2 deadline of 8 May 15.
g. Weight. All male marchers born between 1 Jan 66 and 31 Dec 96 are to carry 10 kgs dead-weight in accordance with Ref A.
h. Dress and equipment. Unless constrained by security issues, personnel are to wear uniform and carry equipment as intended at the NM.
i. CO approval. Participation in the NM is regarded as military training and thus your CO must be content that your team is adequately prepared to undertake the challenge and must also be aware that you intend to conduct a local qualifier.
5. Submission. Requests for local qualifiers may be submitted electronically or in hard copy. Details are as follows:
a. Electronic submission. The completed Annex A, along with associated paperwork such as route maps, and an email trail showing CO approval should be forwarded to the NMRO at .
b. Hard copy submission. The completed hard copy Annex A, along with associated paperwork, such as route maps, and a signed Certificate by your CO (included at the bottom of Annex A) should be sent to the NMRO at the following address:
Flt Lt K Marshall
NMRO
HQ 2Gp C130 Cap Dev,
FHQ,
RAF Brize Norton,
Carterton,
Oxfordshire,
OX18 3LX
6. Verification. If your request for local qualification is approved, TL will be required to provide verification that the event has taken place within the time limits stated and that all personnel listed on the nominal roll (see Annex A) completed the required distance successfully. This can be done though the event organizers (i.e. personnel qualifying at the Waendel Walk will have to send their stamped start cards to the NMRO) or through unit staff (email from CO or PEd staff). Only once verification has been received by the NMRO will those personnel be considered as ‘qualified’.
7. Queries. I hope this letter has confirmed for you the importance I place on BMC participants being properly prepared and suitably qualified for the NM. If you choose to request a local qualifier your proposal will be considered by myself and you will be contacted once a decision has been made. If you have any queries concerning the points raised then please contact the NMRO in the first instance. In the meantime, good luck in your preparations.
// Original Signed //
R Marshall
Sqn Ldr
OC BMC
Annex:
A. Request to Undertake Local Qualification.
1
ANNEX A TO
2015/RAF/NIJMEGEN/LocalQual
DATED 6 JAN 15
REQUEST TO UNDERTAKE LOCAL QUALIFICATION
1. Paperwork requirements. In order for your request to be considered you must provide OC BMC, through the NMRO, with the following information:
Nominal Roll / Enter the full names of ALL personnel wishing to complete a local qualifier.Justification / Provide a detailed explanation of why these team members are unable to attend any of the formal qualification events.
Team Leader / Confirm that the TL will attend the FTTL weekend 21-22 Mar 15. Note: Not required for experienced Nijmegen TL.
Proposed Event / Provide a short summary of the proposed event. I.e. Will you use an existing event or do you wish to create your own route in your local area?
Route Maps / The total distance covered over 2 days must be at least 50 miles. Copies of each day’s planned route must be supplied. Note: If the Waendel Walk is to be used no route maps are required.
Dates and Timings / Enter the planned dates for the proposed qualifier along with the planned start and finish times.
Weight / Confirm that all male marchers born between 1 Jan 66 and 31 Dec 96 will carry 10 kgs dead-weight iaw Ref A.
Dress and Equipment / Confirm that personnel will wear uniform and carry equipment as intended on the NM.
2. Certificate by Commanding Officer. I certify that the personnel listed in the nominal roll will conduct a formal programme of training and will undertake the local qualification event outlined above. Note: For electronic submissions this certificate is to be replaced by an email trail showing CO approval.
Signed: Name: Rank:
Appointment: Unit:
A-1