Page 55 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

BAND & BUGLES
(L – R) Lt Col Mike Smith RACM, Captain Justin Teggarty,
The Colonel Commandant, Ms Susie Squires and Bugle Major Lewis
Colonel Commandant’s Annual Inspection
With the exercise behind us it was time to prepare for The Colonel Commandants Annual Inspection. Much like the previous engagement of HRH Prince Philip’s funeral, it was clear every aspect of the SoR parade for 2021 would require meticulous attention to detail.
Under the watchful eye of the Snr BMaj and musical prowess of the Director of Music
the Band and Bugles trained tirelessly to prepare themselves for the upcoming inspection. Although social distancing meant that certain movements would prove difficult, ultimately the parade rehearsals would go off without a hitch. By mid-May we were once again poised and ready for General Sir Sanders’ arrival. With the annual inspection being performed perfectly by all, once again the Band and Bugles would walk away with an extremely happy Colonel Commandant and the go-ahead to execute the 2021 SoR parade whenever the opportunity should arise.
BEING INFANTRY
In late April it was time for the buglers to deploy to Copehill Down and take part in the Assault Pioneer Urban Assault phase of 2 RIFLES’ Assault pioneer Cadre.
With no time to waste the platoon were thrust straight in the thick of it and found themselves on night navigation within only a few hours of arriving. With both sections of the platoon taking two separate 6 KM routes from Copehill Down to Imber Village it was clear that the lessons that the Snr BMaj had previously taught to the platoon would have to be utilised sooner than the Riflemen and JNCOs’ had originally antic- ipated. After the navigational phase was complete it was time for everyone to finally get their teeth stuck into what they do best
and move onto the assault and demolition phase of the Exercise. It was clear that the Buglers were in their element by the time it came to the final assault on the village, under the guidance of Snr BMaj Lewis and Assault Pioneer platoon from 2 RIFLES, all members showed exactly what it takes to be a Rifleman.
With no time to waste the platoon were thrust straight in the thick of it
The Band and Bugles in full flow
RANGE WORK
Throughout the duration of June, The Bugle Platoon set their sights on the Range packages held in Winchester for pistol marksmanship training and on Bulford ranges for the ACMT.
With some members of the platoon having experience with the Glock-17, this turned into a platoon competition. During the first day it
was anyone’s game, however by the third day only the top four shots remained. ABMaj Jones, Rfn Roberts (3rd Bn), Rfn Collings (1st Bn)
and Rfn Philips (1st Bn) perfected their positions to take home the coveted prize of bragging rights!! After a lengthy scoring process being conducted by both the Snr BMaj and LCpl Jeffries the “Award” was eventually given to Rfn Collings. This however, would prove to be a highly controversial decision as it was clear that the ABMaj clearly won by some distance but instead “chose” to stand aside in order to “boost moral” within the Platoon. During the ACMT phase of the range packages the buglers would brave the appalling weather conditions on Bulford ranges and switch focus onto one of the most historic core principles of being
a Rifleman........marksmanship!!!! With an expected slow start during the first day (zeroing), they ultimately ended the week by walking away with not only more confidence in their shooting ability but also a marksman’s score.
Following all this the Band and Bugles is now fully established in their new home at Worthy Down Tri-service Station in Winchester. With the buglers becoming busier by the day with last minute funeral engage- ments and the band with several concert jobs, it seems the future is swiftly about to revert to normal following the ever-anticipated lifting of restrictions.
Within the next few months, we eagerly anticipate our next deploy- ment to Northern Ireland for the 2 Rifles long overdue medals parade. This will also be an excellent send off for the current Director of Music, Capt Justin Teggarty who, due to promotion, is moving on after spending the last two years with us. We appreciate all he has done for The Band and Bugles of The Rifles.
Assistant Bugle Major Jones
RIFLES The Bugle 55