Brigade Patrol Troop

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Brigade Patrol Troop, RM


caption=Cap Badge of the Royal Marines
dates=1992 - Present
country=United Kingdom
branch=Royal Navy
command_structure=Naval Service
type= Advanced Reconnaissance
role=Commando Infantry
size=
current_commander=
garrison= Stonehouse Barracks
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=C
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
nickname=
motto= "Per Mare Per Terram" (By Sea By Land) (Latin)
colors=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
identification_symbol_4=
identification_symbol_4_label=
march=Quick - "A Life on the Ocean Wave"
Slow - " [http://www.kremlinzoria.ru/images/sound/TrackNo01.mp3 Preobrajensky] "
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

The Brigade Patrol Troop is a Royal Marines force element within the Support Squadron of the UK Landing Force Command Support Group, 3 Commando Brigade. The Troop is also the primary element of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force.

The role of the Troop is medium-level reconnaissance, contributing to the UKLFCSG's role, providing information superiority in the battlespace for the Brigade. The four six-man patrols would be deployed up to 72 hours in advance of the main force, collecting intelligence and communicating it back to the Brigade Headquarters. The Troop comprises specially-trained personnel known as Mountain Leaders and Reconnaissance Leaders.

Operations

History

The Troop was formed in the early 1990s using personnel from the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre, and attached to HQ 3 Commando Brigade as a Brigade asset. Subsequently they have been employed on all Brigade deployments including Operation TELIC, the British involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and in Afghanistan on Operation Jacana and Operation Herrick.Fact|date=June 2008

election and Training

Candidates for the troop are already Commando-qualified and continue their training to qualify as Mountain Leaders and Recce Operators. The Troop only accepts candidates from the Royal Marines.Fact|date=June 2008

In addition to the cold weather warfare training which all members of the Brigade receive, personnel are trained in first aid to a high level of competence; voice and data communications as well as reconnaissance patrolling and intelligence collection. Personnel qualify as "Sharpshooters" (snipers), using the L96A1 sniper rifle and carry out basic parachute training at RAF Brize Norton. They can also qualify as "Long Range Riflemen" using the Accuracy International AWM.

After qualification, the Recce Operator undergoes a period of probation.

Members of the Brigade Patrol Troop previously used the M16A2 assault rifle, but now use the SA80 (the standard British Army service rifle)

ee also

*3 Commando Brigade
*Royal Marines
*Mountain Leader Training Cadre