Naval Boarding Party training – a tactical evolution
[caption id="attachment_22910" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Imagery captured during the Naval Boarding Party Course Graduation at NAD in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Feb. 20. Photo by Leading Seaman John Iglesias, Canadian Armed Forces[/caption]MS Matt Swain, Canadian Fleet Atlantic ~When Canada’s warships head out on missions to thwart crime in the global marine environment, they take with them a highly trained vessel boarding and search capability. To generate these parties of boarding specialists is an equally elite, tiered training program delivered by the Naval Tactical Operations Group. Training starts with the Naval Boarding Parties Basic and Supervisor courses, and then a team training. Three Naval Boarding Party (NBP) Basic courses have been completed – two on the West Coast and one on the East. This fast-paced, physically demanding six-week course teaches students a variety of skills including legal considerations, searching techniques, personnel control skills, tactical shooting, comprehensive close quarter battle, and combat first aid. Each phase of the course ends with an exam that students must pass in order to progress. If the student is unsuccessful, they are returned to their respective units and, depending on the nature of the failure, may be given the option to reattempt. The course ends with a realistic final exercise designed to test all aspects of the course. Senior Instructor, PO1 Chris Nowlan is tasked to ensure the course provides tactical realism and a challenge that leaves successful students with a sense of accomplishment from their hard work. Graduates earn a badge, one of three skill badges introduced by the navy in May 2019 to recognize their specialized skill sets.A badge is earned by achieving progressively more challenging course milestones that ensure students have the right attitude and motivation, regardless of rank. In keeping with NTOG’s culture of invested small team leadership, officers are expected to both lead the...