Page 96 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Adventurous Training
A mere month after the deployment
that never was, fifteen valiant Riflemen returned to Castlemartin for a week of multi-activity adventure training in June 2014. Fortunately, the weather held, and a cracking time was had
by all; they enjoyed
mountain biking,
kayaking, and even hill
walking.
Twenty Riflemen
from A Coy spent
a week at the Paderborn ‘Drop Zone’ parachuting centre in June 2014, taking part in a condensed week of training and static line jumps in order to gain an understanding of the theory, and have some fun. Rifleman Brown did very well
all been back to the centre since this week of training to take advantage of this excellent local facility, and with Rifleman Tibbot now working at the centre on a six month secondment, and an enthusiastic
Fortunately, the weather held, and a cracking time was had by all
amateur in the Ops Officer Captain Ed Richardson, the future is bright for 5 Rifles skydiving.
Three fortunate Riflemen, led by Cpl
Allcock, travelled down to the JSMTC
in Obertsdorf Bavaria to complete the ‘elementary pilot – paragliding’ course. This was a thoroughly demanding and enjoyable experience in a beautiful setting, enabled by the excellent staff and facilities
Rfn Rogers, Grant, Rockley, Gibbs, Brown, Smith and Webb nervously await their first jump (outfits found at www.parachute_fashion_parade.com
who has passed the military swim test with a lingering fear of the water, had a bit
considering his intense fear of heights; better than Rifleman Smith, who managed to land in a large tree, picking up a 6 month sick chit! Riflemen Rawlins, Craige, Hunt, Ashcroft and LCpl Hamilton have
at the JSMTC.
Cpl Kennedy took five other Riflemen
to complete the level one dinghy sailing course in Kiel, an excellent introduction to the delights of the water. Rifleman Brown,
of a shock on arrival with the capsize drill test, but from that moment on it was plain sailing. The blokes had an excellent week, and two have been inspired to apply for the sailing EX CARIBBEAN WINGS.
5 Rifles fielded a team of cricketing novices who enjoyed the day!
Sport
A Coy, alongside the ROG, provided
teams for nine out of twelve of the BA(G) Dozen tournament, the back bone of an “Extraordinary Summer of Inter Unit Team Sports Competitions” within 20 Brigade. The aim of encouraging participation at grass roots level was certainly achieved with the majority of the Battalion deployed, and 5 RIFLES finished a creditable 10th from 25 units that participated. Particular highlights were LCpl Hyde swimming two legs of the 100m IM relay for the team, the nascent Battalion cricket team, and Sjt Mataika’s colourful language on the volleyball court.
The theme of participation at all levels was continued with the 5 Rifles entry into the inter-Battalion cricket at the St Cross club in Winchester. With
assisted by the OC Major Flanagan and 2Lt’s Bossom and Jelly. They ran 2 RIFLES close, but unfortunately did not win a single
game. However, the foundations have been laid, and training has been taking place back at Alanbrooke Barracks in earnest for next year’s tournament.
seven of the starting
eleven not having
played before, and the
Adjutant taking all the
decent bats and pads
to theatre, the team
was slightly under-
manned and resourced!
The key men from the team were, without a doubt, Riflemen Rawlins and Griffiths,
The aim of encouraging participation at grass roots level was certainly achieved
94 FIFTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES