The Royal Anglian Regiment recently embarked on a gruelling one-month training expedition in the dense jungles of Belize.
The exercise saw 150 soldiers from B (Suffolk) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment navigate the harsh, sweltering conditions of temperatures between 28 to 40 Celsius and an 80% humidity level.
According to the British Army here, training began with a focus on acclimatisation and mastering the fundamental skills of jungle survival. The troops learned how to survive, navigate, and move within the dense foliage. The progression took them deeper into the jungle to further enhance their acquired abilities.
Private Zac Broughton was quoted as saying, “The most challenging part of the exercise was dealing with the combination of heat and terrain… I have really appreciated the opportunity to train in such a demanding and amazing place.”
In addition to the natural challenges of the environment, the soldiers were tasked with carrying out patrols to understand the area better and locate enemy positions. One notable task involved a river crossing exercise at the Macal river near Guacamallo bridge.
The picturesque setting of the river, surrounded by verdant foliage, hid dangers like microscopic parasites and Belize crocodiles. The soldiers had to ensure safe passage while remaining vigilant of these threats.
Any need for 2 jungle schools in Belize and Brunei other than the political angle of wanting to keep them both as close allies?
I’m not aware of green army using Brunei beyond the RGR at Medico Lines, so in the same country. The JWS is used for jungle phase of SF selection.
Belize seems to be for green army.
As a Bn of the RGR will still be in Brueni as Theatre Reserve for the far East, why get rid of the school, which I think is a seperate facility.
Agree. We don’t have to downsize everything
Spot on mate, essential theatre to remain a decent presence with the Gurkha lads and the training school! Jungle is very very tough, hardest environment I’ve ever been to! However just watching the Ebans climb those trees in just cut off jeans and bare feet, setting up the booby trap lanes and building the atap schoolhouse, amazing jungle community!
JWS is also where JWIC is held.
Evening Dern. JW…Instructors Course?
Yup. Jungle Warfare Instuctors. Each battalion has a smattering of them, they seem to be concentrated in Recce Platoons although a) that’s anecdotal and b) is probably just a personality thing. Anyway it’s abou 7 weeks long and typically troops also do OTIC (Operational Tracking Instructors), or they’ve been folded into each other now, can’t remember.
Anyway, when a unit deploys to Belieze the JWIs handle basically all the in house training to get a unit ready for the jungle (minus the survival school, that’s done by local trackers).
Thanks mate.
Believe isn’t a Jungle school. It’s a training area that happens to be in the jungle. (It’s also a very different, considerably more horrible kind of jungle than you find in Brunei.)
Great training environment and having done two tours there I can only say that jungle is harsh, but loved every minute of it, really pushes you out of your comfort zone.
And hey there was always tea and tiffen at Rauls rose garden lol.
Never got to Belize but heard some legendary tales about the Rose Garden.
Many nights of rum and madness mmmm god I miss that part of the deployment lol.
You loved every minute of it? Bitten to buggery and sleeping kit got wet in my jungle time. Very glad to be out if there lol
Sounds like the badmin monster bit you lol.
Can not believe in the press release not mentioning putting up with the bloody insects, the noise at night etc etc.
As to having two schools it is a very good idea they are different experiences and I certainly learnt very different skills from the local population. Both bloody hot and push you hard. Once you get used to it the nightime is a real experience
Training in a wide variety of habitat is what keeps the British Army up there with the best!
I wonder if the army takes acclimatisation seriously, ie to have an initially light but then gradually increasing workload during your first 2 weeks in a dramaticaly different environment.
Definitely does. Unless you have some properly high level dispensation you’re usually not allowed on the ground until you’ve done a prescribed 2 week acclimatisation package under control of the PTIs.
I’ve only once seen an exception and that was fof covid reasons.
Thanks Dern. I was posted to Nicosia, Cyprus in the middle of summer 1981 and there was no acclimatisation programme – straight into Phys the day after I landed – some might say that Cyprus is not that hot, but it was certainly much hotter and humid than the UK. Anyway, a long time ago and not the jungle!
I take my hat off to our armed forces who have to train/possibly fight in any jungle environment, many who go through special forces selection always State how hard the jungle phase is, 100% humidity, claustrophobia inducing, leaches, snakes, massive spiders, and that’s before you take any possible enemy into account, not for me!!
It’s not that bad; you get a good nights sleep, don’t have to pack cold weather clothing, the lightweight dos bag and hammock take up so little space in your bergan, you don’t have to shave, and most of the time you’re not even wearing body armour and helmets.
Plus the wildlife is actually quite friendly:
https://www.forces.net/sites/default/files/RoyalMarines_Spider_PRSgtill-1030×579.jpg
Oh yeah, I forgot the benefits of a lighter load as long as you don’t mind a bloody great big spider/tarantula walking all over your face, your insane!!!
In fairness and complete discolsure, that’s a screen cap from a RM recruitment ad, I never took a camera with me into the Jungle. (But yes woke up with the odd tarantula on my kit here and there).
PMSL, it’s the time of year when I’m braced for the inevitable invasion of House spiders, my slippers are primed, the Dyson is fully charged, bring it on you eight legged freaks!
Remember: Spiders are your friends. They keep you safe from things that actually want to bite you.
Was in Belize in 1977 _to 1978 . No such thing as training.just get on with it, The rum called Belize was Wicked. Did river crossing, they didn’t tell you that there was alligators up the River.. could talk all night. . Get on with it.