Page 42 - Bugle Autumn 2024

7 RIFLES
SHOOTING TEAM UPDATE
On the last weekend of January, the Battalion descended on Longmoor Camp
for its first weekend of training in 2024 –
the Battalion Shooting Competition. This was an opportunity to get ACMTs nipped before the end of the training year and for members of the Battalion to show their skills and impress the talent scouts. The prize - a highly sought after place on the Battalion Shooting Team. Each company entered 2-3 teams and the favourites, HQ Company, were looking strong – boasting former Bisley Champions and cocky officers... they were beaten by just two points by a young A Company team. The talent scouts were
excited. Scores were shared with Brigade and 7 RIFLES were declared 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team (20 X) champions – a promising start!
The team was selected from the top 20 shots from across Battalion and began a steady cycle of weekends at ranges across the South. Doing two weekends training with 3 PWRR, who shared the burden of admin and gave us an opportunity to size up the opposition. Head Coach, LCpl Ferguson, ran a tight ship: delicate trigger pressure, magical breathing techniques and zen-like mental exercises were all on the menu. And if none of that worked, his advice was – ‘have a brew and come back in 15 minutes’; which usually worked!
The second weekend in June is probably the busiest weekend in the year to book a range as every shooting team in the Army tries to find some real estate for a final practice before Bisley. Despite being beaten to most bookings, Sjt Stock, the team’s PSI and fixer, found the team a slot at Chilcomb Ranges near Winchester, a little-known gem. By now the team had been whittled down to ten and they rehearsed as many of the competition shoots as possible – challenging the Range Conducting Officer, Capt Hopson, with the most complicated details of the practice
Swords fixed for some CQB action
Pistol practice at RMAS
the favourites, HQ Company, were looking strong
possible “...you will see a single exposure of a double figure 12... you will run, load, make safe, return and fire 9 rounds at the second exposure - targets may fall when hit but only when hit on even exposures....”.
Quick thanks need to go to all of those who enabled the team’s training especially
Sjt Stock, Capt Hopson and LCpl Ferguson
– without whom, running such a regular training program would have been impossible. With a week to go, we are looking forward to representing the Battalion at Bisley and doing Coach Ferguson proud! Watch this space. Capt Tom Brash
7 RIFLES Shooting Team
WATERLOO BAND & BUGLES – AN UPDATE
The Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles have had a jam-packed first half of 2024. A guiding theme has been the Army’s ‘Engage to Recruit’ programme. This plays directly into our role of providing high- visibility public events in support of Army recruitment. On the back of this, we have seen a welcome increase in the number of concerts and appearances.
In March, we attended Oxford United football stadium for the Blue Light Day Fixture. The crowds didn’t disappoint as they sang along enthusiastically to ‘Sweet Caroline.’ Later in the month our music helped make an otherwise cold grey morning even more memorable for the 2 RIFLES JNCO Cadre Passing Off in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, in the presence of our Colonel-in-Chief, Her Majesty The Queen.
April saw us again on Bournemouth Bandstand, where we brought the sunshine to an appreciative audience with an upbeat
42 RIFLES The Bugle
program that got the younger generation dancing. We’re proud to be upholding the long tradition of British military bands performing on the bandstands of the south coast.
In May, two members of our band stepped out onto a world stage alongside the Regular Band & Bugles of The Rifles for Changing the
Guard ceremonies in London and at Windsor Castle. There couldn’t be a more powerful demonstration of the Reserves’ ability to deliver the same high standards as our Regular counterparts.
June arrived with a series of near back-to- back engagements. First, was a concert at the Town Gardens Bowl, Swindon – the perfect backdrop for B Company’s recruitment team
to pull interest from the local community. Members of the band then headed off to
Serbia for a series of fixtures with the local military orchestra, supporting the Defence Engagement strategy for the UK Ambassador in Belgrade which included the King’s birthday celebrations. It was then back to Oxfordshire for a Picnic in the Park concert in Woodstock and an appearance at Bicester Armed Forces Day.
The rest of the year promises no let-up in our busy schedule!
Sjt Chris Evans
Waterloo Band & Bugles
Waterloo Band & Bugles at Bournemouth bandstand