Page 46 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

8 RIFLES
Members of Rockwood CCF are
coached in the marksmanship principles
ROCKWOOD CCF
Monday 21st June and an early start
to Nuneaton in the Midlands to offer support to the ROCKWOOD academy CCF headed up by Captain Delroy Tucker.
Our brief was to conduct Skill at Arms lessons, some basic Field Craft lessons and Range work, with the aim to broaden their military knowledge and skills and
to encourage team spirit and overall confidence.
We quickly started with an introduction. Cpl Gareth Evans and LCpl Scott Empson from E COMPANY 8 RIFLES based in Shrewsbury and Sparkbrook Birmingham not far from the ROCKWOOD Academy.
We also had the benefit of working with the ROCKWOOD CCF before on several occasions.
On day one we conducted Basic Fieldcraft: why things are seen, Cam and Concealment, followed by a stalk. The students thoroughly enjoyed this, and
we instilled a bit of competition between the different groups, bringing the skills they had learned that day together with one team try to locate the other. We then decided to take the students on a casual walk, to test their memory skills trying to identify hidden items and tire them out for the evening, which seemed to work very effectively.
Day two saw us deliver BCD. Once again, the Cadets displayed genuine enthusiasm to learn new skills and immersed themselves in the training serials. We covered basic weapon
handling to prepare them for the 22 Range using the converted 5.56mm Rifles, and whilst Cpl Evans assisted on the ranges,
I did background activity covering the GPMG, Sharpshooter Rifles and Glock Pistols. The students really enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the different weapon systems they had not seen before and to get hands on time, showing a real passion to learn. We ended the
day with a pistol drawing competition which produced some great efforts and the attention to detail was good to see. Definitely a fun way to confirm what they had been taught!
The final day saw more students running through day two’s activities, and
it was great to see them as enthusiastic and inquisitive as previous cadets. The training team really enjoyed their time with ROCKWOOD CCF and I hope our affiliation with the CCF continues. We have arranged an activity afternoon with them on 7th July in Shrewsbury where we will be putting them through command tasks, a paint ball pairs fire and manoeuvre range, followed by night viewing devices and additional weapon training.
A big thank you to Captain Tucker, his team, and the students for their enthu- siasm and energy. It was great to see the cadets grow in confidence, asked plenty of questions, and we appreciated being so well looked after.
LCpl Scott Empson, E Coy, 8 RIFLES
We then decided to take the students on a casual walk, to test their memory skills trying to identify hidden items and tire them out for the evening
Almost there
TRIATHALON TEAM
Like many people seeking to keep fit over lockdown and pursue a more productive, outdoor based activity than perhaps they are used too, several permanent staff members of 8 RIFLES BHQ bought road bikes. What began as the occasional ride to work, or lunchtime jaunt across the hills of Bishop Auckland soon turned into a desire for something more ambitious.
With lockdown restrictions slowly starting to ease, the British Army Triathlon series is back up and running. Offering an excellent, progressive series of events that aims to get people into the sport, now is the perfect time for beginners to get into a new and rewarding sport. Taking advantage of this opportunity, and with virtually no dedicated training, a collection of complete amateurs headed
to their first event. After some inspirational words and some practice in the transition station, they were off. An hour and a half later (and maybe another 15 minutes after that...) everyone had crossed the line, completing their first event. As it happens, you don’t even need to win to get a medal, something which everyone in BHQ is reminded of almost daily as several people still have theirs next to their computers.
Currently the team is five strong with the aim of completing another sprint triathlon
at the end of July, before following the series through as they get progressively longer and tougher. Hopefully in the next addition of The Bugle we’ll be reporting plans to complete an Iron Man!
Maj Sean Lennon, 8 RIFLES XO
Transitions are hard...
46 RIFLES The Bugle