Commando Training Centre RM

Command Wing Ex Agile Raider : Forging Tactical Leaders for the Commando Force

by Maj Balfour RM, OC NCO Training

Ex Agile Raider marks the culmination of intense tactical training for both prospective Corporals and Sergeants on the Tactical Commanders Cadre. This article explores how the exercise construct is evolving to enhance training and better prepare the Commando Force’s future leaders for warfighting. For potential Corporals, the exercise focuses on developing and testing their ability to lead patrols, commanding small teams to deliver a single tactical effect such as FIND or DEFEAT. In contrast, prospective Sergeants are assessed in their roles as Team Leaders and 2ICs, responsible for coordinating multiple effects across a broader tactical framework.

Spanning 18 demanding days, Agile Raider pushes NCOs to their limits in tactical planning and execution. A key emphasis is placed on allowing sufficient time for detailed planning and the conduct of an individual combat estimate, moving beyond the traditional two-hour window used in previous Junior and Senior Command Courses. This deliberate pace encourages critical thinking, innovation and the opportunity to ‘red team’ plans, viewing them from the enemy’s perspective.