A new documentary series offering unprecedented access to British Army training begins tonight on Channel 5. 'Platoon 24/7: Preparing for War' follows a newly assembled platoon of The Rifles as they undergo six months of intense preparation for potential deployment in Eastern Europe.
The three-part series, airing at 9pm, focuses on 13 Platoon, D Company, 5th Battalion The Rifles. Led by 22-year-old Lieutenant Tom Drew, a recent Sandhurst graduate, the 30 soldiers come from diverse backgrounds and must quickly transform into a cohesive combat unit.
The first episode features a gruelling week-long exercise in the Brecon Beacons, including a competition called 'Top Dog'. Soldiers face four days of relentless challenges in winter conditions to earn the title of Best Rifleman. The climax involves a 'Sword Lane' where they must neutralise targets with bayonets, testing their ability to take a life if required.
Among the participants are Rifleman Callum Hancock, a former nightclub security guard and powerlifter; Rifleman Will Halliday, the only one with A Levels; 18-year-old Rifleman Owen Morris, who joined after school expulsion; and father-of-two Rifleman Ryan Dutton, returning from injury.
Future episodes will cover combat exercises in Eastern Europe, urban warfare training, and NATO exercises in Germany. The final episode sees the platoon face a 'kill and be killed' scenario for the first time.
