Page 42 - Bugle Spring 2025

7 RIFLES
Australian RFFSA
attachment to 7 RIFLES
‘G’day’ – I’ve been in 7 RIFLES since
October 2024, posted to A Company
on a Reserve Foreign Force Service
Arrangement (RFFSA). The RFFSA allows
Reservist soldiers and officers from
any “5 Eyes” country to parade in each
other’s Armies – fully integrated.
It has been an incredible opportunity
for me, as an Australian, to be
meaningfully employed within the
British Army and The Rifles – to see how
one of Australia’s closest partners do
business. Through the RFFSA, I’ve been
able to serve as a Company Second-
In-Command, compete in sports for the
Battalion, attend promotion courses,
Division exercises, travel to Northern
Ireland for our annual warfighter
Exercise SPEARPOINT 3 training, and
represent the unit and Company at
various ceremonial activities across
the UK. All the while undertaking
postgraduate study full-time here in
the UK.
There are some key differences
between the British and
Australian army that
continue to ‘catch me
out’ – in Australia,
we don’t have colour sergeants, we only
have one type of boot to wear with your
uniform, and don’t invest as heavily in
sport, adventurous training, CBRN or
international exercises as you do. Not to
mention, your acronyms, tactics and ration
packs are completely different! What’s a
poncho? Or a scoffhouse? Or a crow?
In my 12 months with 7 RIFLES, I’ve seen
four Australians join the Battalion – three
in my Company alone. The RFFSA is a
fantastic opportunity that we Australians
make the most of when abroad. I’d highly
recommend the RFFSA to any member of
The Rifles intending on travelling overseas
and emphasise that it’s available to any
Reservist of any rank.
I’ve been fortunate to have had my
RFFSA extended for another 12 months,
so hopefully I’ll be with 7 RIFLES for a little
while more. Thank you for having me. Swift
and Bold!
Capt Brody Hannan, 2ic A Coy
I’d highly recommend
the RFFSA to any
member of The Rifles
intending on travelling
overseas
Capt Hannan (L) and
Capt Tse at the Oxford
War Memorial on
Remembrance Sunday
42 RIFLES The Bugle
THE WATERLOO
BAND AND BUGLES
Annual Continuous Training, ‘Camp’, in September saw us deploy
to RAF Wittering where we entertained the junior service at their
Battle of Britain commemorations where we provided an informal
concert for the station and their guests. The Stamford Corn Exchange
provided a concert venue where over £1,000 was raised for the local
Royal British Legion.
Nearer to home during Camp, we supported ‘Bhangra Beatdown’
at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury. The audience loved us as soon as
we struck up with a couple of Bhangra pieces – Tauba Tauba from ‘Bad
Newz’ and Do You Know by Diljit Dosanjh. The third piece, Jai Lo! from the
film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, was instantly recognisable. A Camp highlight
was the visit by our Commanding Officer, Lt Col Guy Lock MBE, who
presented several long service medals and clasps. In recent months nine
recipients received awards totalling 243 years of reserve service – an
impressive achievement.
A new venue and type of engagement was performing a cabaret
military marching display in the magnificent setting of Selwyn College,
Cambridge University, in support of the University Officers’ Training Corps.
The Band did very well that evening not to
bump into the diners seated at the tables as we
weaved our way around. They clearly enjoyed
the spectacle as we received a standing ovation.
We had our usual round of Christmas
concerts, including the Cotswold School,
Bourton-on-the-Water, for North Cotswolds
Rotary, and St Mary Magdalene Church,
Woodstock, for the Soldiers of Oxfordshire
Museum. Our Permanent Staff Instructor, WO2
Robert Ghigi, retired after eleven years and we
wish him well. Stepping into the role from 2025,
we welcome SSgt Alan Arnold from the British
Army Band, Tidworth.
We are always looking for new members,
The
audience
loved us
as soon as
we struck
up with a
couple of
Bhangra
pieces
so please get in touch at 7RIFLES-Band@mod.
gov.uk.
LCpl Hissey