Counter Terrorist Tactical Assault Group (CTTAG)
The Navy View...
At the end of 2007 I came to a point in my career where I wasn’t really satisfied with how things were going and the future plans for my trade. So during the summer break I decided that instead of getting out of the Navy, I would instead train up and try something new…CTTAG. Not long in to the New Year (2008), there was a road show for CTTAG that came to the Naval Base.
After sitting in on that and talking to a couple of the TAG guys, I had decided that this was going to be the next road I would travel down in my career with the NZDF. I took the challenge that was laid down in front of me by the officer who presented the seminar, and that day I signed my name to the next Entry Assessment.
What did this do?
It let him know that I wasn’t one who talks it up but doesn’t front up. Also it made it clear in my mind that I had committed to something. Now it was time to train the body and mind so I could turn up prepared and come kick off, I would be ready to put my best foot forward.
How do you prepare for Entry Assessment?
First, you have to be willing to put in the hard yards. If you can follow the programme that the PTI sends out then you are on your way. It is a very solid programme, follow it as best you can and you will be on track. Of course there’s no harm in throwing in lunchtime circuits at the gym or the odd hill session to get you ready either. But whatever training you do…train with 110% intensity.... HARDOUT!
Don’t bother taking short cuts, that’s not what they are looking for here. Short cuts only lead to Long cuts. You will be found out, so put in the hard yards and learn to love the pain.
I’m not going to tell you what happens on the Entry Assessment, but what I will say is that it’s only one week of your life. Four days will roll in to one, and when you come out on the other side you will have successfully completed a non-stop four day session.
Of course it’s hard, and of course not everyone who starts will be standing next to you at the finish line. But hey, if it was easy, then everyone would be here. The best things are always the hardest to achieve. When you’re there and you’re at that point where you feel like your body can’t give anymore - pull your head up, put one foot in front of the other and tell your mind to snap out of it, because you’re ready for more. Know that you have trained hard and put in the work, now you just have to do a little bit more. More than anything never give up!
Once you have successfully completed the Entry Assessment and are selected to start Employment Training, well now it’s time for your next hurdle. Instead of a week, the challenge that is placed before you takes four months!
During this time you will be taught a very wide variety of skills that you will require to become an operator with the Counter Terrorist Tactical Assault Group. The course is hard and it’s fast. You have to pick things up quickly, you’re tested constantly and you need to pass to carry on to the next module. If you can’t pick it up then you will be constantly struggling, sooner rather than later you will be removed and returned to your unit, base or ship. It’s a very tough course but you will enjoy it! Your adrenaline will be pumping non stop for four months – it’s every man’s dream to be blowing things up, jumping out of helicopters and shooting at things!
The good thing about this place is, that it doesn’t matter what Service you come from or from what trade. At first I thought that coming from a Navy background I may find it a lot harder than the Army guys. If you are from Navy or Air Force don’t worry about it because Entry Assessment is designed to test your character and see how far you will push yourself. You’re not two steps behind because you don’t have any Army skills. You turn up, mutton it for a week then come Employment Training everyone learns the skills together; what you’re taught is new to everyone - Army, Navy and Air Force.
So if you’re ready for something new and want to challenge yourself, I strongly recommend putting your name to paper early. Sign up for the ride, there will be a few bumps along the way, but I guarantee you won’t regret it.
Note: The author is anonymous due to CTTAG security requirements.
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