Page 27 - Mercian Eagle 2014

1 MERCIAN SPS Detachment Triple Crown Challenge 2014 Private Scott Lyall AGC(SPS)
Private Lyall is a Combat Human Resource Specialist currently with 1 MERCIAN and was part of the team taking part in the Tripe Crown.
on the start line. As soon as the clock hit 09:05 we were off at a good and steady pace which we managed to maintain with a smile on our faces up until the ranges. We couldn’t work out why teams passing us on their way back were so miserable, especially considering they had just a few miles left
to go. After conducting our shoot we got straight back on the road. This is when it became difficult and our faces looked exactly like the miserable ones we passed earlier. However with the help of encouragement from each other we managed to finish
in 3 hours, which was not too shabby considering the stop at the ranges.
At the prize giving we were amazed and overjoyed to find we were runners-up in
the Best Detachment competition. Over
50 teams had entered and, though only runners-up, this still made us the best SPS Detachment in 1(UK) Armd Div and 4 (Armd) Bde – something we were all very proud
of. Sadly my elation affected my drill and I mistakenly saluted the Warrant Officer handing awards to the General but I think I got away with it and not all of the 600+ people watching noticed.
Having now done it I can honestly say
I will be volunteering for it next year. It’s a fantastic Detachment bonding experience and an opportunity to meet some old friends.
I still remember the sickening feeling when I was told I would be in the Detachment’s team for the 2014 Adjutant Generals Corps Triple Crown Challenge. The Challenge
or TCC consisted of two teams; a march and shoot team and a military skills team. As part of the march and shoot team I
felt pretty apprehensive about the 12 mile speed march, however, that sick feeling soon disappeared once our Detachment started training. Along with the physical training which we did weekly we also undertook military skills training. This was conducted by Corporal Bentil, who was very creative, organising numerous games and competitions that would prepare us for the challenge. One week before the competition and everyone’s attitude had changed from ‘it’s the taking part that counts’ to ‘we could do really well’.
It was an early start the day before
the competition to ensure we arrived
in time for registration, obstacle course familiarisation and Commanders’ briefings. Once registered, Private Pulfrey and I had attended the Commanders’ briefs and we headed off to our accommodation. Back at the house everyone donned their glad rags
for a pre-competition dinner and drinks. It was a great night with morale high and allowed us to ‘carbohydrate load’ prior to the event the following day.
We had another very early start due to our Military Skills team being the first to set off and it was clear the competition was affecting nerves with everyone wishing they could be anywhere else. The Military Skills team consisted of Captain Wilson, Lance Corporal Chilinda, Privates Pulfrey and Lang weighed their webbing and prepared to set off. After a number of stands and a 4-mile run they arrived at the obstacle course which they completed in good time despite a few attempts at the 12-foot wall. Once they crossed the finish line it was safe to say I was filled with envy. Looking at their elated faces now their pain was over just made my forthcoming task seem worse.
After patting the Mil Skills team on
the back we in the March and Shoot
team dragged ourselves down to the armoury to collect weapons and meet WO2(SQMS) Drury, who joined our team from 2 MERCIAN. Sergeant Rone, Corporal Waltham, WO2(SQMS) Drury and myself weighed our bergens and stood anxiously
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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