Page 37 - Bugle Autumn 2024

These first twelve months as a trained Rifleman have been filled with adventure and personal development. Not only have I attended courses and weekends run by my parent unit, D Coy, I have also joined Riflemen on regular courses and enjoyed a good deal of sport. After completing CIC in May I endeavored to get stuck into everything I could.
The courses provided by the RIFLES Training Team are invaluable to all troops. My first course with RTT, the Rifleman’s Cadre, instilled a better understanding of what it means to be part of our special regiment,
as well as developing my fitness and basic soldier skills. These were invaluable during the RTT Tactical Navigation cadre, a rigorous course that tested me mentally and physically during my first exposure to operating in Brecon. I came away feeling a bulletproof navigational confidence, something I have proved since as point man in my Section.
Aside from time spent in uniform I have also enjoyed plenty out with fellow Riflemen. Company run AT this past year has included surfing and barbequing in the sun at a local beach, as well as a trip to Thorney Island, where between dodging mosquito bites everybody took part in wing foiling and paddleboarding lessons before an introduction to Portsmouth’s nightlife.
I have represented the army and The Rifles at the inter services and inter corps surfing championships respectively, both
held in Newquay, Cornwall.
Army surfing has also
provided me with multiple
development weeks and
qualified me as a surfing
instructor and surf life saver,
skills I am able to use to help
provide AT for my Company. I have
also been able to branch out and
adopt an entirely new sport that I have continued to enjoy in my free time, Brazilian Jui Jitsu, during a week-long beginner’s camp.
between dodging mosquito bites everybody took
part in wing foiling and paddleboarding lessons before an introduction to Portsmouth’s nightlife
D Company continues the tradition of celebrating Riflemen both past and present. November brought the remembrance regimental dinner, a chance to reflect on our forebearers and to give younger members an appreciation of our heritage and traditions with food and guests. The year finished with an all-ranks Christmas party, which inspired plays on the fancy dress theme of magic. The close, social aspect of reserve life is easily overlooked from the outside, and I feel lucky to have made so many good friends in
a relatively short time.
Putting the last year as a Rifles reservist into a few hundred words is an impossible task.
It is thanks to our regiment
that I have been able to experience so much
in such a short time, including summiting Pen y Fan twice,
and even learning basic Russian. Rfn Morris,
D Coy
Rfn Morris at the Army Surf Championship
6 RIFLES
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A RIFLEMAN
Rfn Morris tries out his HMNVS
RIFLES The Bugle 37