Page 94 - Wish Stream Year of 2018

internal to THE FUSILIERS and promoted bond- ing between the two battalions. Thus, it is not only important to remember why the exercise was conceived (to celebrate our
leadership and resilience; there is nothing more resilient than powering through your fourth high altitude pass of the day when you are already
50th birthday), but also to remem-
ber the importance of its aim: to
develop selected Fusiliers through participation in adventurous train-
ing, allow them to obtain a good understanding of a military AT exer-
cise, and introduce key skills in
order for them to gain the Summer
Mountain Foundation. The exercise
was not only successful in achieving
this aim, but I am confident that a
number of the participants who were success- ful in gaining their Summer Mountain Foundation will continue down the Mountain Leader progres- sion and help the regiment to maintain its cache of in-date adventurous training instructors.
For the majority of participants, this was not only their first time mountaineering but also their first time to Switzerland. Aside fully exploring the Swiss Pennine Alps, we also had the opportunity to briefly visit Geneva, Martigny and the capital, Bern. This was a welcome addition and provided Fusiliers with insight into Swiss culture outside of alpine towns, as well as the opportunity to relax for a few hours at a time.
The Fusiliers who deployed on Exercise ALPINE FUSILIER 50 return with a renewed faith in adventurous training; they have experienced, many for the first time, the value an arduous and rewarding expedition can provide. They have developed key military qualities such as
At the summit of Mont Fort (3,328m). 2Lt Osmond Far Right
fatigued from the previous days. They have developed key military skills such as navigational techniques and time management. Perhaps most importantly, however, they have rap- idly developed their communication in a foreign environment where good English is scarcely spoken; whether that was through buying groceries, or eluding the advances of a drunk swiss grandmother.
The expedition is extremely grateful for the finan- cial support it received from a number of organi- sations, without whom the aims of the expedition could not have been met. Namely: the Ulysses Trust, who provide grants to arduous reserv- ist expeditions; Fusiliers HQ, who provided an extremely generous contribution; RFCA NE, who continue to support the activities of FIFTH FUSI- LIERS and the Sandhurst Trust, who financially supported the Officers on the expedition.
FIFTH FUSILIERS continue to lead the way in adventurous training and have expeditions in the near future planned to France, Gibraltar and Norway. It is hoped that ALPINE FUSILIER 50 will be seen as a benchmark for these expeditions.
Footnote: The Sandhurst Trust provides grants to members who are taking part in Adventurous Training Expeditions
They have developed
key military qualities such as leadership and resilience
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