Page 40 - Chronicle Vol 17

hugely interesting and motivating for many of the Riflemen, but also frustrating if / when they are not used; it is a new experience we will manage over time.
When not reacting to current events, we have also done several activities in sup- port of British Forces Cyprus and the Sovereign Base Area Administration. This includes supporting the Police countering illegal bird trapping, and contribut- ing to local environmental clean-up campaigns, including on our Battalion beach which hosts nesting Green and Loggerhead turtles. Whilst C Company’s planned exercise in Oman was cancelled due to the ongoing crisis, A Company are still due to go there early next year. Others are due to go to Spain, to be delivering some Short Term Training Teams to Saudi Arabia, and taking part in several on-island exercises, using new training environments and capabilities, or inter-operating with visiting units.
YOUR RIFLEMEN (WORKFORCE)
1 RIFLES remains well staffed, with 468 soldiers in Cyprus against our new orbat of 492, but with 26 personnel (Rfn – Cpls) posting to us from 3 RIFLES over the next few months. Our Notice-To-Terminate numbers are far reduced at 5.3% from 12.5% this time last year, and our deployability is now 83.89% compared to 77.5% in Jan 23; so trends are positive! Cyprus has become an attractive location for people to serve, and importantly has fitness and medical facilities to fix those with long-term injuries and prevent others from gaining them. 26 Riflemen have joined the battalion; 40 others have successfully qualified and promoted to Lance Corporal, and 23 Lance Corporals have promoted to Corporal. And we are about to gain our first female Platoon Commander and female Apprentice Officer.
ADVENTUROUS TRAINING AND SPORT
The opportunities in Cyprus are almost unbeatable. We operate the Dhekelia Water Sports Centre which runs from our Battalion beach. Open to families and Rfn, it is a key part of every sports afternoon, Friday afternoons and weekends, and all have enjoyed paddle-boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing and
Winning the BFC swimming competition, and paddle-boarding at sunrise
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