This year was the 16th year since we opened the annual course up to national and international attendees. It was conducted earlier than usual this year as I had commitments in Australia at the end of March. We were blessed again with some great weather.
The course has continued to grow every year in the training phases. Demographics have also changed with depot and exponent numbers increasing, especially in relation to increased phase 2 and phase 3 group members.
In the early years the courses comprised of phase 1 groups only and then the phase 2 and three groups were introduced and later the course extended. Now the phase 2 and 3 groups have as many and this year more exponents than the phase 1 group.
We now conduct the phase 3 courses the week before the phase 1 and 2 course and the phase 3 members stay on in the capacity of instructors or assistant instructors.
The phase 1 course is now conducted over seven days with the phase 1 test on day seven. The phase 2 course is of six days duration with any phase 2 tests conducted on day six. The training days are long and intensive and include evening theory revision and related subjects training. Three evenings include trips from Camp Todd into the old headquarters to train with local Todd Group exponents.
Ten to twelve hour days are the norm.
The phase 3 specialist training included an instructor course in both the D-WAR anti-and counter rape course of instruction and the wheel chair self-defence instructor course.
Phase 3 attendees were instructed in the most current phase 1 and 2 tactics and skills before they began their phase 3 specialist armed and unarmed close combat training.
The phase 3 courses is very irregular training conducted in a low-key careful and controlled manner.
These lads have proven themselves on basic and advanced courses and test phases and have earned the right to specialist phase 3 training.
The camaraderie is ripe and nothing sacred making it one of the final bastions unaffected by PC mainstream sterilisation.
Post the phase 3 course of instruction during the following week there was continued phase 3 training as well.
The phase 1 and two courses were underway before we knew it and attracted a good bunch of exponents.
The phase 2 course was a full muster of committed serious proponents.
The phase 1 group were a diverse bunch that all got along well from the outset.
There was one female on the phase 1 course and her husband who was on the phase 2 course and the both had attended a previous Todd group exported course in Thailand at the Royal Thai special forces camp A-03. Master instructor Howard Bell the only other person to have worked with Harry Baldock, Charles Nelson, and Col Rex Applegate took charge of the phase 2 course and Chris Marsh the phase 1 course.
There were 13 Phase 3 ranked Todd Group members in attendance on the phase 1 and phase 2 courses of instruction instructing or assistant instructing.
The D-WAR instructor course was repeated during the phase 1 and phase 2 course of instruction.
The first floor training hall at the old Todd Group HQ was packed wall-to-wall fully with phase 1 training on both the Monday and Wednesday evenings midcourse.
Todd Group HQ phase one training midcourse
Todd Group HQ phase one training midcourse
Todd Group HQ phase one training midcourse
The phase 2 exponents joined the phase 3 exponents on the Tuesday evening for a good night's training over three hours in duration.
Todd Group depot instructors from Auckland, Wellington, Foxton, Nelson, Christchurch, Invercargill Queensland, Victoria, and Germany were in attendance.
Day six and two of the Phase 2 exponents in Dan and Will had the more than 400 hours up required to take the phase 2 test.
Dan and Will post phase two test
These two committed lads have attended multiple previous Todd Group annual courses and also two exported courses to Thailand. Their performance rating was considerably above the high level required to pass a phase 2 test.
In fact the entire phase 2 group of exponents received a group award for distinction on the phase 2 annual course of instruction. This is the first time such an award has been presented and is testament to the groups continued striving to achieve CQC excellence.
Day seven for the phase 1 course and the phase 1 test.
There were over 30 eligible candidates for phase 1 testing with the required hours up on course and from the HQ.
Only six candiadtes volunteered to test and two passed.
Toughner and sickner component phase one test
Toughner and sickner component phase one test
Toughner and sickner component phase one test
Ambush phase knife disarming
Ambush phase knife disarming
Ambush phase knife disarming
Long weapon disarming
Ambush phase long weapon disarming
Hold escape
Combative component phase one test
Combative component phase one test
Battle handling exercise component phase one test
Battle handling exercise component phase one test
Battle handling exercise component phase one test
Skills retention (technique to command) post phase one test
Skills retention (technique to command) post phase one test
Skills retention (technique to command) post phase one test
The phase 1 test is challenging and candidates have to surpass the requirement or they will fail to achieve the required objectives and be removed from the testing phase.
Exponent that volunteer to test show they are prepared to accept the challenge and this can only be commended.
They realise there are objectives that need to be achieved and the standard will never be lowered.
They know there are risks and it won't be easy but they will learn from the experience regardless of the outcome.
The phase 1 test is very self-revealing and the outcome aparent to the exponent and instructors alike.
The Todd Systems phase 1 tests have failed more than they have passed and they never favour or disadvantage any candidate.
If the candidate is competent in the phase 1 skills and committed to proving oneself and protect themselves at all times they will test well.
Any weakness in the armour or a lack of mental toughness and the objective simply will not be achieved.
The real test of the candidate that fails to achieve the objectives is if they can recognise the reasons why and be committed to self-improvement.
If failed outcome makes them more committed to self-improvement then they have the goods if not then they do not and the test phase has fulfilled its role.
Those that pass will also identify aspects of the phase 1 skills that they need to focus on improving.
As an instructor no one likes to see exponents fail but it must be this way to set standards maintain standards and lead the way in close combat.
Strict impartial and uncompromising is the modus operandi of the test phase regime and the training staff conducting testing phases.
The paramedic only had minimal work on this phase test which is another pleasing aspect this year.
Immediately after the phase 1 test the spit roast consisting of a whole fallow deer and small wild pig plus a barbecue began followed by the presentation of the course completion and phase test pass certificates.
The annual prize giving for the Todd group was also conducted.
We have since had the training team debrief and identified minor areas of concern that will be addressed before the next course of instruction in Thailand April 23 to 28.
There are so many people that are involved with making this course so special and I thank you all.
The reason this annual course is so special is the 85 year history and direct connection to the evolutionary military master-chief instructor pioneers as well as it being officially recognised as a leading combative course of instruction and of course the instructing cadre.
Everyone is very proud to be a part of the group and realises the privilege of membership that provides so much more and that simply is not available elsewhere.
True committed responsible proponents fill the ranks and make the group what it is.
Special thanks to Gus a respected phase 3 proponent and of course chef.
Gus again in 2012 brought his trusty canine friend Sanja down on course with him and sadly on returning home after the course Sanja passed away.
He will be missed in the galley where the lads regularly had to step over him as he lay in the doorway.
I wrote this report in-flight to Sydney where I will conduct a D-WAR anti-and counter rape instructors course for our Australian phase 2 and three members on Sunday then in two weeks we will export another course to Thailand followed by a close personal protection course at the HQ in May, a week-long CQ C phase 1 and two course at SpecForce Auckland in June and a week-long exported annual CQC course on the Gold Coast in July.
Like the annual course they are very much word-of-mouth and referral promoted as well as being posted on the Todd group website www.Todd Group.com
Members can find the annual prize giving list on the members section on the Todd group website.
Members or new entry-level committed realists are invited to accept the challenge and apply for Todd group posted courses of instruction.
Received post course appraisals.
A big thanks Tank to you and the team. Once again another excellently run course in the sunny hills of Dunedin. It was not only a great opportunity to sharpen my combative skills but also provided a chance to catch up with the many friends I have made throughout the ranks of the group. Always good to see exponents from outside of the motherland return for some quality kiwi hospitality. The opportunity of high rep training that the course provides definitely aided in my skill ability and retention, always a bonus of these courses. I thought the D-War anti and counter rape program was brilliant, 1 of a kind. I wouldn’t want to be that guy.
All the best to you and your team for the remainder of the year. Look forward to making it back next year.
Regards D. M, Cargo Handler, Christchurch, N.Z
The annual close combat course was an excellent course for me namely because of having Howard Bell as an instructor. I noticed an increase in skill among the Phase 2 exponents towards the end of the week, which I believe was partly due to the style of instructing from Howard, who instructs and trains the way I like to train, which is slow but steady, relaxed and working on skill. Big thanks to Howard! And the Phase 2 exponents who were all a good bunch of guys, which always makes training more enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next Annual course, thanks Geoff.
Dear Master –Chief
Finally managed to leave the country after my flight was changed. This was the best annual course to date.
Dr K.O Germany CQ C instructor.
