Page 68 - Bugle Spring 2023

SOUTH
CADET CUP
2022
At the end of September we held the annual RIFLES CADET CUP Competition. Due to changes in staffing brought about by the Future Infantry Structures programme;
and operational commitments across the Regiment, it took a different format this
year, running separate competitions for CCF and ACF at a single centralised location; Swynnerton Training area Staffordshire. The sponsoring unit hosting the competition was 7RIFLES, ably assisted by elements from 5RIFLES and 2RGR.
CCF and ACF teams were invited to attend from all the RIFLES’ affiliated schools, regions and counties to take part in two days of military skills training and assessment. In
all 12 teams (120 Cadets plus over 30 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers) participated in the competitions.
Teams took part in a day of military skills training based around subjects on the
Cadet Training Syllabus with introductions
to some new skills such as tracking, and a capability demonstration of equipment used by today’s Riflemen in the regular and reserve battalions. The training would be reflected
in the competition stands the following day and covered skills in Observation, Judging Distance, First Aid, Contact Drills, Navigation, Military Knowledge and an introduction to Ground Sign Awareness and tracking. The skills day was then followed by an assessment phase the following morning testing their core level skills with a challenging twist or two from the additional activities they had been introduced to.
Despite heavy rain on the night preceding day one of the CCF competition, the competition was blessed throughout with good weather, and all the teams taking part enjoyed the training and the experience – and delivered a great deal of effort on the competition days.
Four teams took part in the CCF competition: with Reddam House coming first, Cranbourne second, Sherborne came third and
all the teams taking part enjoyed the training and the experience days
Pangborne School fourth. Prizes were awarded by Colonel Gary McDade, Commander South West Region.
Teams from Dorset, Durham, Somerset, Bristol, Hereford & Worcester, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire ACFs all took part. 1st Place went to a team from Inkerman Company, Hereford & Worcestershire ACF, Oxfordshire
ACF taking 2nd Place and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire ACF taking 3rd place. Prizes
were awarded by Colonel Ashley Fulford, RIFLES Colonel Cadets assisted by Colonel Robert Guest, Colonel Cadets Southwest and Commandant Bristol ACF, Colonel Peter McCune.
Despite the changes to format, it proved
to be a very successful event, delivered by
The Rifles, for our affiliated Cadets. Thanks to
7 RIFLES, in particular B Company for hosting and organising, staff from RIFLES Office HQ Infantry Warminster, 5RIFLES and 2RGR for supporting. A great deal of thanks is also
owed to WO2 Cunningham Training Safety Advisor, HQ West Midlands Bde, whose advice throughout was invaluable and without whom the event would probably not have taken place.
68 RIFLES The Bugle