Page 48 - Bugle Autumn 2023

8 RIFLES
RIFLEMAN
COMPETES AT THE
ARMY MARTIAL
ARTS ASSOCIATION
(AMAA)
As a member of the AMAA I had the opportunity to take part in the British Army Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships. Training went well and I wanted to
do The Rifles proud and as the only Rifleman in my division, I felt the need to impress. Although I got to the final in both the Gi and No-Gi, I couldn’t quite clinch the gold and walked away with two silver medals. I’d like to thank LCpl Ricky Bellingham for his words
of advice, as well as 8 RIFLES for the support. It was a huge inspiration. Two weeks later, Army BJJ hosted a seminar with some of the best grapplers from their respective field, including Roger Gracie who is widely regarded as
the greatest of all time. All in all, the opportunities that being a part of AMAA has presented, have been second to none. I hope to do the regiment proud and bring home the hardware, as well as spread awareness and participation to my fellow Riflemen, and eventually set up a team at my unit.
Rfn O’Shaughnessy
Y Company, 8 RIFLES
48 RIFLES The Bugle
Ex PROUD BUGLE
Ex PROUD BUGLE was a Battalion-wide Section Patrols Competition, which tested physical endurance, teamwork, communication and fieldcraft skills. We deployed on the Friday night to receive orders and battle prep for the exercise.
There were feelings of apprehension within the section as no one knew what to expect. The next morning, we stepped off to carry out a number of stands including a VCP, CBRN drills, and a FIWAF assault, amongst others. This was challenging as it tested a variety of skills, requiring navigation between stands and an element of physical stamina due to the weather and large scales of equipment. That night we conducted a recce on an enemy FOB to complete the first day of the competition. On the final day we started with a section 2-mile best effort carrying around 7.5kg, straight into a sword lane. Following a short lesson on the
we started with a section 2-mile best effort carrying around 7.5kg, straight into a sword lane
history of the sword we went into a period
of ‘motivation’ before being sent individually down the lane. This was the highlight as it required a lot of mental resilience to push on and it was great to see members of the section all grafting to fight through to the end.
2Lt Edward Roebuck
D Company, 8 RIFLES
CYBER DEFENCE COMPETITION
Exercise Defence Cyber Marvel 2 (DCM2) unfolded in February, attracting over
40 teams from NATO and neighbouring countries for a ground-breaking cyber defence competition.
Hosted in Estonia, the event aimed to simulate a realistic cyber warfare scenario, challenging teams against a formidable adversary consisting of 120 units. In
an increasingly complex and dynamic cyber threat landscape, where critical infrastructure, government networks, and private sectors are targeted by evolving techniques, the exercise tested and enhanced the cyber defence capabilities of NATO members, underscoring the importance of collaboration and shared knowledge for safeguarding digital assets and ensuring collective security.
8 RIFLES sent 2Lt Piers Jennings
Hosted in Estonia, the event aimed to simulate a realistic cyber warfare scenario
as the team Captain of 37 Sigs Team,
who led the team through a rigorous five-day competition, preceded by four days of intensive training. Despite fierce competition, the team’s skill, determination, and strong teamwork led to joint 4th place overall. The competition provided valuable insights into the field of army cyber, emphasizing the importance of developing future Riflemen with cyber defence skills, enabling them to contribute directly to the protection of vital assets without solely relying on Signals units. By participating
in such exercises, teams gain invaluable experience and insights that contribute to the overall improvement of cyber defence strategies and the protection of nations’ critical digital infrastructure.
2Lt Piers Jennings
E Company, 8 RIFLES