Page 50 - 1RHA 2022

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Bdr Sedcole B Bty Capt Emmerson Mountford & Capt Tom Vincent LBdr Daniel Read
The Nuts Challenge SSgt (SSI) Kemp, RAPTC
As part of the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (1 RHA) Leadership Week, the Regiment took part in a 5km ardu- ous outdoor assault course in Dorking, Surrey - AKA “The Nuts Challenge”. The emphasis on the day was about teamwork, communication, and leadership skills, and in particular empow- ering the junior soldiers to lead a team around the 5km course which was endorsed by Lt Col Taylor.
Prior to the event a recce was conducted by SSgt (SSI) Kemp and the 1 RHA All Arms Physical Training Instructors (AAPTI’s). This proved to be great fun but also ensured that all obstacles were suitable for the 200 plus service personnel that took part. Located throughout the course were the 1 RHA gym staff which consisted of the SSI, 10 AAPTIs and other Service Personnel (SP) who were unable to take part due to injury. Their primary role was to provide overall safety of the event and guidance where necessary if required.
One frosty winter’s morning on Weds 26th January 2022 at 0700hrs, 1 RHA SP embarked on the coaches for a 2-hour jour- ney to Dorking in Surrey. The Regiment were met by 1 RHA gym personnel and the Nuts Challenge members of staff. After a quick safety brief, AAPTI LBdr Read (B Bty) and the SSI made their way to the top of the cargo net platform and began to conduct the aerobic style warm up with the assistance of 90’s dance music.
Shortly after the warm-up members of the Regiment assembled into their teams of 10 and prepared to begin the race which was
sounded by the air horn. Each team consisted of a complete mix of ranks and departments across the Regiment.
The teams were set off in 3-minute intervals to prevent any choke points throughout the course. The only rule throughout the race was that the team had to finish together, as stipulated by Lt Col Taylor. However, the main theme focused on teamwork and lead- ership skills of our SP. Due to the main theme being focused on other attributes, the Nuts Challenge was not timed, and more emphasis was aimed at finishing the course as a collective.
The course channelled each team to work together by climbing, wading, scrambling, and scaling through a wide range of arduous obstacles over the 5km route. There were plenty of challenging water obstacles throughout and it was impossible to finish the course without being covered head to toe in mud.
Various teams were followed around the route, all of which dis- played the main attributes of teamwork and supporting each other by communicating throughout to conquer the arduous obstacles. On completion of the course, the teams were pro- vided a hot meal and hot drinks supplied by WO2 Middleton and his team. The QMs department also provided a vital shelter and heating for the troops which was welcomed by all participants.
Overall, a fantastic day which was challenging, physical and tested the mental and physical resilience of all SP.
Lt Col R Taylor RHA Lt Gaughan RHA, O/HQ Bty Attemping a rope regain
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