Page 77 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Success in competition was the result of many dedicated hours on the ranges.
Sniper Competitions
2014 has been another satisfactory year for the Battalion “Gypsies” after a busy and fulfilling tour last year. The main focus for the Sniper Platoon has been to apply marksmanship at competition level, both in the UK and with a pair in the British Army Combat Shooting Team, competing in an international Sniper Competition held in Australia.
The first run-out was the 1 Mech Bde Sniper Competition in March. The platoon entered six pairs, made up of qualified snipers from across the Battalion. The
first phase of the competition was run at Pirbright and Bisley Ranges with the second phase on the field firing area of Salisbury Plain. The scores going into the final shoot were very tight; one hit or miss would decide the outcome. With the Brigade Commander (a former CO), CO and RSM standing behind the firing line, the pressure was definitely on. The platoon had a good result, with Rfn Bhoyraz and CSjt Metcalf
winning the competition as Best Sniper Pair. Rfn Chambers and LCpl Ward finished third, and Cpl Strype and Cpl Capilla fourth. All three pairs qualified for the 3 (UK) Div sniper competition in May.
Warminster Ranges, the qualifying pairs attended the 3 (UK) Div Sniper Competition in May. The three pairs were positioned first, second and third after the first day of
In April Rfn
Chambers and LCpl
Ward were selected
to represent the Army
in an International
Sniper Competition
in Australia. As part of the BACST, they performed exceptionally against what the rest of the world had to offer. They won two individual sniper matches and came close to winning the competition overall. Rfn Chambers had the added bonus of saving some cash by not having to visit the sun beds for a month. They are now the chosen Sniper Pair in the BACST and will be competing in international competitions throughout the remainder of the year.
After five days’ worth of practice on
the competition and remained so for the rest of the week. The final standings saw
Rfn Bhoyraz and CSjt Metcalf take first place, LCpl Shaw and Cpl
Christian second place and LCpl Spencer and Cpl Pearson third, among a host of other awards. In all, 4 RIFLES simply swept the board and qualified for the Tri Service Sniper Competition.
The Tri Service Sniper Competition was held at the beginning of June, with snipers from the Royal Marines, RAF Regiment, Canadian Army and British Army competing over a four-day period at Bisley and Salisbury Plain. Although the Best Sniper Pair went to the Canadians, Rfn Chambers and Cpl Christian finished fourth overall and were the second best pair in the British Army. Individual prizes included gold for Rfn Chambers for The Night Engagement Match and silver for Best Sniper No.1 and The Sniper Assessment. CSjt Metcalf won gold for Best Sniper No.2 Sniper Assessment.
As a platoon, we have had an incredible year getting out on the range and honing our marksmanship skills. We have achieved more than we could have expected and maintained our reputation as one of the best sniper platoons in the Army. We now turn our efforts to selecting the next generation and getting them up to standard before they attend the Sniper Basic Course.
CSjt Metcalf, S Company
We have achieved more than we could have expected
Sniper in competition.
THE RIFLES
FOURTH BATTALION 75