Up
close and personal
Training
the Army and RAAF for extra protection
By
Gnr Shannon Joyce
He may not be as good-looking as Whitney Houston, but he's the most
important commodity in your area of operations, and he needs a bodyguard.
But
not a 10-foot man-mountain with a bear hug that could crush a rover
and the subtle presence of a trampling rhino.
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LEFT:
Shots ring out and the close personnel protector grounds his
VIP, whilst preparing his personal weapon. The nearest team
member provides immediate rearward cover, identifying to other
operatives the precise threat's location.
RIGHT:
A walking drill commences in diamond formation, through an
abandoned suburban street. A bodyguard keeps central to the
VIP, while other team members coast the immediate surrounds
for potential threats. One of the essential skills is identifying
the difference between a potential threat, and a hapless scallywag.
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He
needs a group of quick thinking, fast moving soldiers, who can melt
into any environment, but still react with such lightning force
as to take out a charging protestor, or cover and withdraw a VIP
from an ambush.
Whatever
your motivation is for protecting "the man" though, OIC
Advanced Training Section WO2 Craig Joce of the Defence Police Training
Centre Holsworthy, says fitness and commitment are essential parts
of the Close Personnel Protection (CPP) Course.
"The
aim of the course is to train selected Army MP and RAAF Ground Defenders
in how to provide CPP as an individual, or as part of a team,"
WO2 Joce says.
He
explains that the modules of the course range from operating as
member of a CPP team, performing tactical driving skills, applying
aid techniques, and employing CPP weapons; to understanding and
assisting in the planning and conduct of CPP operations.
The
course goes for five weeks and is run by members of the Wing's Advanced
Section. Support staff are provided by members of 1 MP Bn.
Eligibility
is Cpl(E) - Capt(E), and MPs must have at least two year's experience.
For
more information, or applications contact WO2 Joce, OIC Adv Trg
Sect, DPTC on (02) 9600 1231.
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