The period 30th July to 12th August 2005 saw approximately 80 personnel of 21 Infantry Battalion ( 62 Infantry Battalion from October 2005) attend the unit's final annual camp at Coolmoney Camp, Glen of Imaal.

The available facilities were shared with 2 Eastern Brigade Training Centre (Designate) who were conducting the tactical element of the Potential NCOs Course. In order to support the Potential NCOs Course, approximately 45 personnel from 7 and 20 Infantry Battalions were also in attendance. These personnel provided invaluable assistance with regard to barracks guards, security duties, enemy parties, kitchen duties and fatigues. 21 Infantry Battalion also benefited greatly from this.

The unit's training focused on two main areas - recruit training and tactical training for Private Two Stars. The Recruit Platoon consisted of around 25 troops and six instructors, four of these coming from 7 Infantry Battalion. Over the course of two weeks, the recruits were instructed in all the basic skills required of the soldier, including foot and arms drill, the Steyr rifle, fieldcraft and some basic tactical training.

The recruits bonded quickly. It was normal to see them all polishing their boots together outside their billets at the end of the training day. But it was not all work work work for the recruits, who spent a day at the DFTC visiting the Transport and Vehicle Maintenance School and the Ordnance School. The visit to the Ordnance School proved exceptionally popular where they got to grips with the EOD equipment and a huge variety of weapons from all over the world, although no member of the platoon may ever ask the weight of the EOD suit again!

Monday 8 August saw the recruit platoon transported to the Ogham Stone area, where they established an overnight patrol harbour and conducted a number of patrols. The vast majority successfully passed their star tests and will shortly Pass Out as Private Two Stars.

In the meantime the Two Star Platoon was busy conducting tactical training. This platoon consisted of 24 privates and eight instructors. With the amalgamation with 20 Infantry Battalion in mind, the platoon included five members of this unit. These personnel integrated very well into the platoon.

About three days were spent perfecting the basics of fieldcraft, contact drills and actions on. Two days were then spent learning the section battle drills by repeatedly moving through a small number of areas.

At this stage, the platoon turned its attention to patrol harbours. Friday 5 August saw the platoon occupy an instructional base camp in the Stranahely House area. This was followed by a more relaxed period including learning the basics of orienteering, revision of basic drills and some personal administration. In order to maximise the experience gained from the coming exercises, this period saw some of the instructors changing their roles.

Monday 8 August saw most of the camp depart for training areas in the Glen of Imaal. With helicopters flying overhead, transporting the Potential NCOs Course, the Two Star platoon conducted a six kilometre uphill march in very warm conditions. After establishing a patrol harbour in the Golier area, a number of patrols were conducted.
When returning to the rest of the Platoon at the exercise administration area, one of these patrols managed to get within 10 metres of the resting troops without being detected.

Following the occupation of a new patrol harbour in the Ogham Stone area the following day, a number of reconnaissance patrols were conducted. A fighting patrol of platoon strength conducted a very successful ambush on an enemy patrol that night. The noise of gunfire hung in the air long into the night as the Potential NCOs Course "bugged out" and 2 Infantry Battalion were conducting night shoots. The following morning saw an early departure for a four kilometre march back to the Camp and a well earned rest. On Wednesday night the majority of the Battalion's officers and NCOs enjoyed a relaxing dinner and social gathering in nearby Baltinglass.

On Thursday morning the Battalion Commander addressed all the personnel in the camp to congratulate them on their achievements during the two weeks. This was followed by a presentation to the Acting Sergeant Major, who will leave the Battalion in September for personal reasons.

But this was not the end of the line for the Two Stars. Again with the future Army Reserve in mind, the platoon were act as enemy for a PDF exercise. A communications tower, control centre and defensive position were occupied on Cemetery Hill, which 2 Infantry Battalion would later raid. A long day was spent preparing these positions and settling into the routine of guarding a fixed installation. Elements of the platoon managed to detect the forward and reconnaissance elements of the company attack, which they illuminated with flares. Finally around 0315 on Friday morning, the attack started as the fire of medium and heavy machine guns and medium mortars was brought to bear on our positions. The outer defensive position was taken first as our troops withdrew to safety.

Next the communications tower was assaulted by a platoon strength force. As the defensive forces withdrew, confusion rained within the attacking force. The exceedingly well camouflaged control centre was unattacked, although it suffered heavy mortar and machine gun fire. This illustrated the fact that the best laid plans may not survive contact.

Following the withdrawal of all troops to a safe distance, a detachment from 2 Field Engineer Company simulated the destruction of the communication tower and control centre with dramatic effect. This signalled the conclusion of the exercise and the defenders withdrew for a short well earned rest before our departure from the Camp for home in six hours time.

All the members of the Battalion on this camp will remember it fondly long into the future. While it is with some regret that the battalion will cease to exist from October 2005, we can have confidence that the current members have the necessary level of training to integrate successfully to form elements of 62 Reserve Infantry Battalion and participate in future PDF exercises.