Two Scottish soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland have returned home after successfully completing one of the British Army’s toughest courses — jungle warfare training in the remote tropics of Brunei.

Lieutenant Lewis Turnbull, 25, from Nairn, and Lieutenant Callum Barrie, 26, from Edinburgh, faced multiple challenges during their intensive training. These included extreme weather and temperature variants, the hazardous jungle floor - and the inhabitants of the jungle itself.

The soldiers were the only two selected to represent the Royal Regiment of Scotland to undergo the highly prestigious training, alongside just 50 others from across the British Army. The jungle training – regarded as one of the toughest courses British soldiers can endure - is only open to those individuals who demonstrate the greatest levels of leadership, resilience and fortitude. 

Whilst carrying up to 68 kg of kit and equipment on their backs, Lt Turnbull and Lt Barrie learned how to navigate the dense jungle terrain with minimal supplies, build shelters from scratch, identify edible plants and avoid poisonous flora and fauna with guidance from Brunei locals. They were also taught how to spot, avoid and manage the ‘attention’ from some of the more exotic wildlife that reside there including scorpions and fire ants.

Lt Turnbull said: “Without a doubt, this was the toughest thing I’ve ever done. The heat, exhaustion and a need to be mentally and physically alert at all times, pushed us to our deepest limits.”

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The course, renowned for its brutal physical demands, saw more than a fifth of participants drop out before the end. Despite the challenges, Lt Barrie and Lt Turnbull kept their spirits high by relying on each other and their fellow soldiers.

Lt Turnbull continued: “By the end of the course I lost about 10 kilos, the extreme environment and demand of the course takes a toll on your body. Living and training in the jungle where the heat can exceed 35 degrees means you have to really look out for your fellow soldiers.”

Alongside survival training, the other main focus of the course was live firing exercises, where they had to adapt quickly to the demanding jungle environment. The duo refined their ability to apply tactics such as jungle navigation, casualty evacuation, and contact drills – and learned to conduct offensive and defensive operations in the jungle environment, culminating in a live-firing platoon attack.

Lt Barrie said: “When you’re in the jungle, everything changes. It’s terrain like you’ve never experienced, and the confined environment makes live firing extremely intense. That said, it’s also one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had.”

Now back on home soil, both Lt Barrie and Lt Turnbull are looking forward to their next challenge, with their experience of Brunei and everything they learned still fresh in their minds.

In his role as a Platoon Commander, Lt Barrie is now preparing to share his new skills and training with other soldiers, to ensure that they will be equipped to manage difficult situations under some of the harshest conditions.  

He said: “I’m so glad I saw it through. It was a tough but hugely rewarding experience and I learned a lot - not just about survival but about myself too.”