Page 35 - Chronicle Vol 17

The pace of regimental activity has been intense throughout the year, partly driven by Future Soldier and the Integrated Review, and most notably of late by the continued war in Ukraine and the Middle East atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on October 7. Our focus has remained resolute and unflinching, and we are well prepared for any eventuality, as you would expect from The Rifles.
REGIMENTAL SPORT AND TRAINING SUMMARY
When presented with opportunity our Riflemen have always fully grasped mat- ters with both hands, and it has been no different during 2023. With a battalion in Cyprus, water sports have been front and centre with paddle-boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, swimming, water-skiing and wakeboarding all taking cen- tre stage. Out of the water our troops have excelled in Alpine and Nordic skiing, rugby union and league, football, cycling, hockey, golf, indoor rowing, power lift- ing, triathlon, basketball, Bobsleigh, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, cricket, and boxing.
Furthermore, on an individual level Riflemen have played sport at Infantry, Army, Combined Services, Premiership rugby (Newcastle Falcons), National League One (rugby league) and Olympic level, and a handful have been awarded Army Talented Athlete Scholarships Schemes.
Despite battalions being at full stretch, those who managed to get away on adven- ture training made the most of it with notable expeditions to Kenya, Val d’Isere skiing, parachuting in Cyprus, sailing in the Caribbean, canoeing on the Amazon, as well as time spent at the Adventure Training Wing (Herz) in Sonnenberg climb- ing, walking, mountain biking and mountaineering.
CONCLUSION
Whilst Operation INTERFLEX has continued to absorb much of the regiment’s resources and personnel, the importance of the task has not been lost on our Riflemen who are still delivering high quality training to Ukrainian soldiers. Knowing that many are going straight to the battlefield has kept minds focused and the training relevant, with everyone aware that the next six months will be critical to the outcome.
The pace of overseas deployments has been intense meaning that many Riflemen, of all ranks, have been away from home for considerable periods of time. Whilst that has been unavoidable, the level of commitment and professionalism shown by the battalions has been nothing short of exemplary and means that each one is in a good place operationally and ready to deliver whatever it is tasked.
The Always A Rifleman Programme, led by Lt Col (Retd) Baz Melia MBE con- tinues to deliver amazing output to those in need of support. In tandem, Unit Welfare Officers with the battalions have worked hard across the board with packed welfare programmes when loved ones have been abroad on deployments. The ingenuity and levels of enthusiasm never ceases to amaze. Thankfully it is not all work, and our Riflemen still know how to play hard, which is proven by
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