Page 33 - Bugle Autumn 2024

5 RIFLES
cycle for an advance to contact and subsequent DEFEAT of an enemy stronghold. Having already conducted over a dozen planning cycles during mission ready training, BGHQ comfortably designed and executed the offensive operation through complex terrain. Transitioning to defence
in Mission 2, the BG was tasked to BLOCK
an overwhelming force and coordinate a complex Rearward Passage of Lines (RPoL) with the RDG. The challenging scenario tested our vehicle recognition and communications with the higher HQs and adjacent formations, with the subunits earning their money in the
turret. Mission 3 ramped up the pace with
a 4-hour planning cycle for an ATTACK over complex terrain offering multiple dilemmas to be solved during execution, with BGHQ now at full steam and thriving under the pressure. Mission 4 concluded the mission set with a DELAY, which was described a “catastrophic success” by CTG, as Donovian forces were stopped in their tracks!
The 5 RIFLES BG was graded GREEN against all CTG performance indicators and recommended for validation at Training Level Foxtrot ahead of our deployment to Estonia.
Live Fire Training, Sennelager Training Area, Germany
SPORT & ADVENTUROUS TRAINING
The battalion has made the most of the opportunity provided by being deployed overseas by participating in various sports and adventurous training events. The battalion’s remarkable achievement of securing the coveted first place in not one, but three categories within
the esteemed Army’s Indoor Rowing League serves as a testament to their dedication and prowess in the realm
of physical fitness. Additionally, we
had the privilege of hosting the 20X Inter-Unit boxing event in March, despite being on the eve of deployment, where Capt Ian Sweet executed a fantastic night. Meanwhile our boxers performed superbly, securing two wins in a talented field of the best boxers across the brigade.
Lance Corporal Cozens, Army Triathlon, will compete at the Ironman World Championship in New Zealand in December 2024. Sgt Horner was selected to represent the Army in both Navy and
RAF fixtures and has now been crowned Interservice champion. In female sports, Rfn O’Malley was chosen for both the Army and UKAF netball teams and emerged as the champion at this year’s inter-service netball championships.
Adventurous training (AT) has flourished this year, thanks to the battalion’s deployments, which have allowed us to utilise the AT centres in Bavaria and Estonia. This has significantly enhanced the Unit’s collective experience and boosted morale amongst personnel. In Germany, participants had the opportunity to take part in Nordic Skiing in the Harz mountains, which will qualify our soldiers for low-level Nordic Skiing within the Battalion. The future of the Battalion’s AT appears to be imbued with immense potential and promising prospects as we continue it on CABRIT 14 with personnel already attending exciting and challenging sea kayaking and mountain biking courses.
5 RIFLES hosting 20X Inter-Unit boxing event
The combined silverware from the AOSC and international competition
Shooting Team: Bisley Bulletin
The Rifles’ Shooting Team have had an extremely successful season. The team hosted the Rifles Operational Shooting Competition (OSC) at Altcar, where all the battalions attending showcased their best marksmanship, with 6 RIFLES notably giving the regular battalions a run for their money. The focus for the team then shifted to the 20th ABCT competition in Pirbright, which the team won convincingly, and then the 3rd (UK) Div event in Bulford, which the team again won with a compelling margin. Throughout the shooting season, the team has supported other RIFLES Battalions, Regular and Reserve, and Cadets to improve the quality of their marksmanship and hope to do more in the future.
The goal, however, is always the Army OSC at Pirbright. An excellent performance this year was capped by wins in the Section Building Defence, Advanced Fleeting Encounter shoots and individual wins on Pistol CQB. Overall, we placed 3rd, behind two exceptionally strong Gurkha teams. The highlight of the week was the performance as the representatives of the British Army Combat Shooting Team. This saw our results from the
AOSC be used in the international competition against the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces and Royal Netherlands Army. We won multiple trophies in this, winning the competition overall, and leaving us flush with silverware for our efforts!
A LCpl from the Shooting team engages a target
RIFLES The Bugle 33