Page 210 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Barry Buddon
Lt Elizabeth Normand Attachment
I enlisted with the Australian Army Reserves in October 2013 and was posted to Melbourne University Regiment to complete my Of cer Training. Melbourne University Regiment has a long and colourful history dating back to 1884. In 1910 it became the Melbourne University Ri es and since then, despite being disbanded, reinvig- orated and amalgamated with Monash University Regiment, it has maintained its connection to The Ri es. This connection has been enabled and continually supported by the Melbourne University Ri es Association (MURA). In the Australian summer of 2017 I graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon and received my commission. Shortly after, I was awarded the 2017 MURA Travel Scholarship.
The MURA Travel Scholarship is one of the ways that Australian Reservist Of cers are able to connect with and learn from The Ri es. The last recipient of the scholarship (now CAPT Roberts) trained with the 7th Ri es Battalion on their two week exercise in Cyprus; Exercise Lion Star. This awarded him with overseas military experience while also observing a comparative example of Reservist training and activ- ities.
My recent experiences were slightly different and I was able to gain understanding and exposure by visiting the 3rd, 4th and 7th Ri es Battalions. As to be expected, there were key differences and similar- ities between the Battalions. While the aura at some Battalions appeared to be more formal than others, there was no denying the warmth and humour that enables the cohesive and uni ed army that I encoun- tered throughout my visit in the United Kingdom.
It was also encouraging to note that The Ri es take the same pride in their weapon handling skills as the Royal Australian Infantry Corps of which I am now a member. Weapons are our tools of trade, and although the two armies utilise different systems, the same care and attention to professional mastery at arms is apparent across both. I had ample oppor- tunity to witness this as the 3rd, 4th and 7th Ri es Battalions which were all engaged in range practices during my visit. I even had the pleasure of visiting the very windy Barry Buddon and partook in the British version of the annual shoot. While Australians use
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT AUSTRALIANS ARE PERHAPS A LITTLE LOUDER, BAWDIER AND MORE AGGRESSIVE AT TIMES
the terms ‘unload’, ‘load’, ‘action’ and ‘instant’ to describe degrees of weapon readiness, the British employ the term ‘ready’ instead of ‘action’. At rst, I thought it was British politeness, asking me if I was ready to re, before realising that the command was actually trying to stimulate a change to the weapon system. Despite this, I was able to successfully complete the shoot while also learning a few new ring positions, which I am keen to test for their effectiveness with the F88 Austeyr. Congratulations also go to the 4 RIFLES shooting team for their success in the First Armoured Brigade Shooting Competition. Clearly, the hours spent at the range during my stay were worth it indeed.
Aside from the serious business of professional mastery at arms, my visit with The Ri es was truly a remarkable experience. Working with another army that is so similar, yet different, is slightly bizarre, but also very illuminating. While The Ri es salute indoors, run instead of march and have a commitment to ‘tea’ which is highly impressive, many of the other courtesies and characteristics are remarkably consistent with the Australian Army. I would suggest that Australians are perhaps a little louder, bawdier and more aggressive at times, yet at heart, both armies embrace a keen sense of kind but satirical humour.
Many thanks to everyone who was involved and enabled this visit to occur. To the Melbourne University Ri es Association who awarded me the opportunity to have this adventure, to CAPT Jenkinson, CAPT Rowntree and LT Smith who hosted me, and to everyone who contributed to making this a highly bene cial and memorable experience. Lastly, thanks to CAPT Tom Brown for organising the visit. I missed him while in the UK but we nally caught up in Melbourne on his visit to Australia.
208 ARTICLES
THE RIFLES
Capt Tom Brown and Lt Elizabeth Normand
ARTICLES