- A Tri-Service Adventure
15 April 2009
The NZSAS CTTAG Pre-Entry Assessment is another junction in the pathway into "Rennie Lines” the home of the 1st New Special Air Service Group at Papakura Military Camp.
Candidates for CTTAG Pre-Entry Assessment are recruited from within the NZDF, including the Territorial Force. All servicemen and servicewomen who accept the challenge to try to join the ranks of the domestic counter terrorism team will have an ethos that is second to none.
Those who get to the start line will accept the "dare to challenge" and will be tested both physically and mentally. Their strengths and weaknesses will be tested, and they will display inner qualities that are not taught but are inherent in their ability to endure stress and work as a team member. If accepted for further training inside the wire they will proceed to a four and a half month cycle of CTTAG courses.
This month there are 10 potential candidates -three officers and seven soldiers and airmen who have met the first challenge.
Inaugural Counter Terrorist Tactical Assault Group (CTTAG) Team
By Sgt “E” - RNZAF
After joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as an Armament Mechanic back in 1995, the last thought in my mind was becoming a CTTAG Operator as part of 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group (1 NZSAS GP).
I had been posted to various sub-units in the RNZAF till 2005, when I heard about this new unit being formed at “Rennie Lines”, Papakura Military Camp. I had thought about trying out for NZSAS Selection (SAS Trooper), but hadn’t been motivated enough to actually do it. So when this opportunity came up with CTTAG being another pathway, I thought I would make the effort and then see what came of it.
Turning up to the first CTTAG entry assessment course, which was open to all NZDF personnel was a bit of an eye opener to say the least. What happened over the next week was even more of a shock. What soldiers do as self discipline we (in the Air Force) consider imposed discipline; the SAS instructors say it’s just collective discipline. For we sailors and airmen it’s a different life altogether.
Once the CTTAG entry assessment course was over and the body had recovered a bit, I had the chance to actually think about what I had done and was eager to complete the CTTAG Employment Training (CTTAGET) over the next 16 weeks.
Day One of CTTAG employment training soon sorted our non-Army people into the sheep, sheep dogs… and the regimental goat. We wondered what we had got ourselves in for i.e. we were ironing Army gear and being soldiers. There was 16 weeks of constantly being taught a lot of hostage rescue skills that were continuously tested and practised until we dreamt about conducting drills and scenarios. The only trouble is they say the SAS don’t sleep, but CTTAG must take naps.
Those of us who had qualified as CTTAG Operators were presented our ecru berets from the Commanding Officer. (Since 2008 CTTAG has issued a specific hat badge/belt).
The inaugural CTTAG intake then moved into our new hangar and shook ourselves into our new assault groups. Six CTTAG operators including myself were selected to undergo further specialist training as marksmen.
The six who completed this training were then employed as marksmen with a secondary role as assault troopers. Throughout the year the CTTAG conducted exercises both small and large to test our capabilities. Outputs were of the highest standards in order to meet the CO’s intent and our responsibilities to the NZDF.
In May 2007 I was posted to Operational Support Squadron (OSS) to start a new CTTAG training cell, conducting training for potential CTTAG candidates from tri-Service units. This included the CTTAG Entry Assessment and the second ever CTTAG Employment Training course being employed as instructors and module managers.
In my final year in CTTAG in 2008 I was course manager for both the CTTAG entry assessment and CTTAG employment training. This was a bit of shock, being a non Army person and nominated to manage two such critical courses. But in true RNZAF (Fly-boy) style, I worked hard and managed to continue the standard of those that went before me (i.e. NZSAS Instructors).
I became the course manger and senior instructor for the marksman course which trains selected personnel to operate as marksmen for CTTAG, which is not to be confused with a conventional sniper in the regular Army. The roles and skill sets are different although some do cross over to the other.
I was supposed to go back to my lifestyle as an RNZAF sergeant in my original weapons trade at the start of 2009. But the NZSAS Training Officer asked me to conduct another marksman course. The Army still needs the Air Force…
I’m now posted back to the RNZAF Base Auckland for career development, before returning to “Rennie Lines” hopefully as a Group Commander in a marksman role.
My time spent at Papakura Military Camp was very enjoyable. The comradeship was an honour and an experience limited to those who try the challenge. It has opened my eyes to a whole new way of life (Army food, Army clothes) but most of all, job satisfaction.
By CPL “B”
Early in 2007, I attended a Counter Terrorist Tactical Assault Group presentation at Whenuapai Air Base. I had been out of the Army for a few years and was not familiar with the concept of CTTAG or what the unit was about. I was very impressed with what I saw at the presentation and took time to ask questions about the Counter Terrorist Group, their role and their training.
After leaving the presentation, I knew that it was the job I wanted to do and that I needed to start thinking about whether becoming a CTTAG operator was realistic and achievable.
I discussed my plans with my partner and assessed the pros and cons of making a career change. After careful consideration I was satisfied that CTTAG was a viable career opportunity. Soon after, I re-enlisted into the Territorial Force and set about building up my base fitness before moving on to the specific ten week CTTAG training programme designed by the unit PTI.
Training was hard to stay on top of since I was doing shift work and did not have access to gym equipment or gym facilities. I followed the programme as best I could and would improvise some of my training to fit around my shifts. The specific ten- week programme was very challenging and intense and I found that it prepared me well for the assessment. At the completion of the programme I was injury free and satisfied that I was ready to get stuck into the challenge ahead.
Assessment is broken down into three stages - pre-assessment, the entry assessment proper and officer testing. Pre-assessment is mainly focused on sorting any administration issues and making sure each candidate is issued with the correct stores and equipment prior to testing. Phobia testing is also conducted during this phase in order to assess whether candidates can operate in various environments such as confined spaces or at heights, to name just a few.
The second stage is the entry assessment. This is where candidates need to bring their A game and put their best foot forward. The assessment is not long in duration; however, don’t be fooled! Assessment is conducted at an intense and demanding pace with unprepared candidates falling by the wayside early on. I had high and low patches during the assessment, and there were times where I had to dig deep, but I remained focused on what I was there to do. At the completion of the assessment I was exhausted but elated that I had achieved the first goal in becoming a qualified Counter Terrorist operator.
Overall, I believe that preparation is the key component in determining your success. Do some research on the role of CTTAG and determine if it’s the role for you. Be pro-active, start training early, seek advice from the PTIs and remember that completing assessment gets you to the start line, so don’t lose sight of the main goal in becoming a qualified CT operator. Assessment is not easy and nor should it be, but it is achievable if you want it.
CTTAG Employment Training
After successfully completing the CTTAG assessment, I was recommended for further training on the 16 week CTTAG Employment Training at Papakura Camp. The satisfaction of passing assessment was soon replaced with a wake-up call - the real training was yet to come. The reminder was in the form of an email and an attached PT training programme by the unit PTI. This time the PT was designed to prepare us for the physical demands of the employment course. So after a few days recovery, it was back into training and time to prepare for the next goal.
The employment training is designed to train candidates on a variety of modules specific to the Counter Terrorist roles, such as room combat, close quarter battle (CQB), entry techniques and Maritime Counter Terrorism to name just a few. The modules vary in duration from a few days through to a few weeks. They are mostly hands on and physical. Each respective module manager gives you a heads up on the following module at the completion of the current training, so you’re never quite sure what course will be coming up next.
The Employment Training is overall demanding; skills and drills are taught at pace and students are expected to assimilate information and apply it quickly or risk falling behind. Due to the nature of the course there is limited time to practice what you have been taught outside of the time allocated. Unfortunately those who do fall behind may find themselves removed from course.
I found the course challenging and exciting. It took a little while for me to adjust to barrack living, but the course gains momentum early on and it is not long before you’re in the thick of it, applying all that you have learnt under the watchful eye of the instructors. Team work was critical and there’s no place to hide if you don’t pull your weight.
At the completion of the 16 weeks, there is one final test in the form of option week. Option week is where the students are integrated into the operational teams and are collectively tested on their ability to carry out the various functions of a CT operator. The options are varied with assaults on planes, trains and buses, through to working at open air venues. At the completion of option week candidates have their final interviews with the Training Officer and are informed of their results and whether or not they have successfully completed the employment training.
Upon the completion of the course we were presented with the CTTAG beret and belt in front of a few invited guests as well as current serving badged and CTTAG operators. I found the whole experience fulfilled my expectations and provided me with a great platform from which I can continue to develop and enhance my role as an assault trooper.