NST offers new qualification options

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Jack Rigler joined the Response Boat Tactical Operator Course with the Naval Security Team at CFB Esquimalt from HMCS Cabot in St. John’s, Nfld. Photo: Lieutenant (Navy) Robert Newton, NST Commanding Officer

Kateryna Bandura
Lookout Editor

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When Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt) Jack Rigler began the Response Boat Tactical Operator Course (RBTO) with the Naval Security Team (NST) at CFB Esquimalt, he knew he was in for something ‘different’.

“The whole course is unique because it exposes junior members of the Forces to concepts and training that usually only highly specialized units get to do,” A/SLt Rigler said.

A/SLt Rigler is a Naval Warfare Officer from HMCS Cabot of St. John’s, Nfld., posted to NST for the duration of the course, which began May 11 and wrapped up June 16.

The RBTO course is a new course at NST, planned to be conducted four times a year. It trains qualified response boat operators to augment and assist NST in force protection. At home, the team assists with transitions to harbour defense to ensure the safety of civilian vessels, allied vessels, and Canadian ships. Abroad, the team works with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and NATO-friendly countries through capacity building and interoperability training.

A/SLt Rigler said his cohort experienced hands-on weapons training, various on-the-water situations, hand-to-hand self-defence, and lectures and discussions about concepts such as rules of engagement and use of force.

“It was a whole bunch of simple but effective techniques and different scenario training with really great instructors,” he said.

The first week started with weapons handling skills such as stoppages, field stripping, and learning the different parts of the weapon. The team learned about the different types of weapons and then practised with those on the range during the second week. Lectures included introduction to seamanship such as line handling and safety on the water. The final two weeks included hand-to-hand self defense with two expert civilian martial arts instructors, both with multiple degree blackbelts.

The rest of the weeks the team spent on the water learning fast boating and getting used to being in mounted positions on the Defenders with machine guns while the boats chased vessels or performed manoeuvers in their operating zone.

“During the first few days we were really focused on learning how to keep balance since the boat can turn so fast and has a very sharp turning radius,” A/SLt Rigler said.

He completed Basic Military Qualification last summer and took the opportunity to learn from NST to improve his skills.

“The things we’re learning are so wide-ranging, but they will apply to every other aspect of our military careers,” he said. “The course qualifies us as gunners and we’re learning about a Boatswain’s job. As a Junior Officer, I think it’s great to have that experience of working like a Non-Commissioned Member or Technical Specialist.”

The best experience from the course, he said, is the experience of getting to grow as a team.

“We developed a pretty tight connection working in a small team and learning how to work together really quickly,” A/SLt Rigler said.

The next Response Boat Tactical Operator Course is scheduled for Sept. 11.