Page 96 - Chronicle Vol 17

Lt Col. We continue to chase down our Rifleman deficit in a tough retention and recruiting environment and where inflow processes remain lengthy and com- plex. Birmingham is our number one growth location – we are fast running out of physical space and are at the headcount cap. We have opened a new Army Reserves Centre for Support Company in Hartlepool, following a robust justifica- tion process. It is already bearing fruit, as is the rebranding of Headquarters to Support Company.
ADVENTUROUS TRAINING (AT) AND SPORT
We have again run AT packages this year – including sailing – despite the main ARes restraint of time against mandated training. Ex NORTHERN FROSTED SWORD’s downhill skiing remains a standing fixture. LCpl Myles and Rfn Chamberlain represented the Infantry at Climbing, CSjt Forrester represented the Army at Rugby League, Rfn O’Shaughnessy at British Ju-Jitsu and Pte Cage- White and 2Lt Jennings at sailing. LCpl Chatwin again represented the RIFLES and Army across cycling disciplines. Lt Hibberd also represented Team GB in Women’s American Football.
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION AND CADET ASSOCIATION ACTIVITY
Another busy period across our Regimental Pillars maintaining the RIFLES brand in our communities (over 70 events) with veterans and cadets. Highlights: the Freedom of Sunderland alongside 3 RIFLES, Army Benevolent Fund events in Durham and the Great Northern Gathering. Our ‘Engage to Recruit’ surge in the North East included the televised Tall Ships’ Race (Hartlepool), World Triathlon (Sunderland) and the Sunderland FC and Birmingham City Remembrance match. Our continued relationships with sports clubs across our footprint offer strong ‘multi-pillar’ engagement. Bugle Breakfasts remain key to providing a stylish, practical way of getting the Bugle in the eye of stakeholders whilst showing off our history, our present and our future. We are refining our plan for deeper engagement with our cadets and continue to work closely with our Associations. Our next focus is South Yorkshire and the Midlands – notably Birmingham.
COMPETITIONS
We again competed at various Operational Shooting Competitions – Regimental, Division and ARes at Bisley. Our Cambrian Patrol team recorded another Bronze medal, and we secured Top ARes Unit and 7th overall on 1st Division’s Bismarck Challenge – a team relay event. Competition is the key to both development and brand management and we have now successfully transitioned from ‘compete to learn’ to ‘compete to win’.
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