Page 23 - Bugle Autumn 2024

Ex FROSTED BLADE
The 3 RIFLES alpine ski team, all FROSTED BLADE novices, and half of them never having skied at all, arrived in Val d’Isere. For those unfamiliar with the exercise, FROSTED BLADE takes skiers of any ability, and through an intensive training programme with civilian instructors, seeks to get all attendees to a standard where they can alpine ski race.
For a team of novices, who didn’t know their Super-G from their GS, the initial learning curve was steep but rewarding, with long days spent on the mountain. Despite this,
there was ample time for exploring Val d’Isere after a day’s training, and there were few evenings where the RIFLES flag wasn’t flying proudly over Cocoricos. The team also seized the initiative by skiing over the mountain
to Tignes, to spend an evening with the wider battalion ski trip on Ex SNOW BADGER. Though not a year with a significant medal haul, the future looks bright, with Rfn Latham being the standout performer, selected to stay on for the Infantry championships.
Capt Relton, Mortar Platoon, F Company
3 RIFLES
Ex SNOWJACK
Members of 3 RIFLES deployed on Ex SNOWJACK in Flachau, Austria. The team this year consisted of one SNCO, three JNCOs, and one Rifleman. Two members of the team had never snowboarded before, so this was a fantastic opportunity
to learn a new sport that is both physically and mentally demanding. Another member of the team is one of only two snowboarding instructors that the Infantry has.
The competition itself is broken down into two phases:
1. Week 1 – Infantry training camp
2. Week 2/3– SNOWJACK competition.
Both novice and open riders compete in three different disciplines of snowboarding:
• Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS). A slalom style
• Snowboard Cross (SBX). A rally track style course
• Slopestyle (SS). A freestyle event
3 RIFLES did exceptionally well this year with two members of the team representing the Infantry which went on to place third across the Army.
CSjt Pawson, HQ Company
SOUNDING RETREAT
With the battalion returned from a
few months exercising in Kenya, the Commanding Officer wanted to mark the beginning of the Scottish summer by saying thank you to the local community that makes Edinburgh such a wonderful place to live and work.
Here the families and friends of the battalion were invited to a traditional RIFLES musical event, Sounding Retreat.
Not only has the battalion been garrisoned in Edinburgh for 20 years but it now shares Dreghorn Barracks with the magnificent Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. It was therefore highly appropriate that they joined forces with our buglers to perform the ceremony.
Under the watchful eye of the Depute
Lord Provost of Edinburgh and the Clerk and Master of the Barber Surgeons, LCpl Buckles expertly marshalled 3 RIFLES’ buglers through the display. As the sun set over the Pentlands, all settled into a marvellous evening of music and marching.
Having said thank you to those that underpin our life in Edinburgh, 3 RIFLES could turn to a busy summer of support weapons cadres, training partner forces and readiness.
‘Sound the Advance.’
the CO wanted to mark the beginning of the Scottish summer by saying thank you to the local community
Maj Foster, A Company
HOCKEY
In May, Riflemen from across the regiment represented the Infantry in a prestigious Inter Corps hockey event in Aldershot beating the REME 5-4 in the final; with Lt Cottrell getting on the scoresheet.
The team was well represented
by Riflemen, from across the ranks, and covering our regular and
reserve battalions. Congratulations to: Maj Creed MOD
Capt Pratt 7 RIFLES
Lt Cottrell 3 RIFLES/1ITB
Csjt Couch 3 RIFLES
Cpl Hathron 5 RIFLES
Rfn Stevens 6 RIFLES
RIFLES The Bugle 23