Page 35 - Bugle Spring 2023

5 RIFLES
Exercise TOP DOG 22 is the annual exercise which assesses the Riflemen within D Company. The aim of the exercise is to determine which Rifleman is ‘the best’. This year saw the exercise take place at Tregantle Fort at Torpoint, Cornwall in November.
The fort was built in the 19th Century and was used as a naval gun battery throughout the 19-20th Centuries. Since the Second World War the area has been used to train primarily Royal Marines and other Naval units. The immense facilities at the fort offered the company a unique opportunity to test a vast array of infantry skills.
Ex TOP DOG is designed to test a Rifleman’s core skills and is modelled on the Individual Training Readiness (ITR) template set in
an arduous environment. This year did not disappoint. The weather conditions set the tone with biblical rain and wind smashing the South West coast.
The company deployed in early November with the exercise began with a physical endurance training session including a series of log runs and body weight exercises on the beach below the fort. Thereafter, the company completed a round robin of CBRN, Communication and C-EOD alongside a
Ex TOP DOG is designed to test a Rifleman’s core skills
number of other activities led by the Section Commanders of the company. The second day was dominated by a March and Shoot, as well as a fantastic shoot-through serial within the fort complex, which the Riflemen all enjoyed. Both the events were aimed at perfecting the Rifleman’s core infantry skills and saw some excellent scores.
The final day saw the culmination of all the Rifleman’s efforts over the previous 48 hours starting with a tactical patrol to Scaersdon fort, 4km north of Tregantle. They were greeted in
the company FUP by the CSM who delivered a battle picture. The troops were then required to clear through the bottom area of the fort as a section before being held in a another FUP. Following the clearance, the Riflemen were released individually up into the middle level of the fort where they began the traditional sword lane. This required each Rifleman to apply themselves tactically, whilst challenging their physical and robustness through the complex terrain.
Lt Hayes, D Coy
RIFLES The Bugle 35
Ex TOP DOG D COY