Page 54 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
sive performances in the 10km Biathlon and 4x 7.5km Biathlon relay. The season finished in a very fitting manner with the arduous Military Patrol race. Exchanging their biathlon rifles for SA80s and donning 10kg patrol packs, this event saw the team ski a 20km route interspersed with inspec- tions, command tasks, shoots, tests and ascent climbing. In this fiercely contested event, the team placed 20th overall – an excellent achievement for a novice team.
The opportunities provided by the Royal Artillery to take part in Winter Sports sea- sons are exceptional. In recognition of the excitement, experience and developmen- tal opportunities afforded by both Alpine and Nordic disciplines, much of the sea- son is funded by the Army. The season was almost made possible by the generous grants provided by the Royal Artillery Cen- tre for Personal Development (RACPD) and the Army Sports Lottery. As the Regi- ment continues to build its Winter Sports profile, novice and experienced skiers alike are encouraged to take part!
4 Regt RA competing in the Alpine season
Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess
On arriving in Cyprus for Opera- tional TOSCA 30 (2019), it was with surprise to find a great area
for a WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess in an old 5-star hotel, situated in the middle of what was once a conflict zone. The mess did need some care and attention, but soon became a fantastic facility to entertain the Seniors of 4th Regiment Royal Artil- lery.
As the Regimental Sergeant Major, I was keen to establish and implement mess rules and policy and held a mess meeting outlining the opportunities this mess would give us to hold a variety of events throughout our tour.
The WOs’ & Sgts’ mess was given the task to organise a series of sport- ing events contested by all 3 messes, named ‘OP TOSCA OPLYMPICS’ with the losing Mess having to host the win- ners and runners up. Many of the events were held in the WOs’ & Sgts mess, giv- ing the JNCO’s a great opportunity to visit and be mentored on etiquette and the standards expected of being in such a prestigious Mess. The JNCO’s was tri- umphant closely followed by the WOs’ & Sgts’ mess.
On return from operations the WOs’ & Sgts’ mess set its sights on a Christmas function, this being the first time the
mess collectively could get together. The task of organising this event went to SSgt Schofield with a great budget. He didn’t disappoint going above and beyond, holding the event under a mar- quee in the hanger with all the trim- mings fit for a Xmas function. Unfor- tunately, due to Covid restrictions this was the last event held in the Mess. The WOs & Sgts mess certainly have some catching up to do in 2021.
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