Page 137 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019
P. 137

 Y Coy
It gives me great pleasure to report that Y Coy are going from strength to strength, moving at a fast pace to recruit new Riflemen and deliver progressive training to ensure we are a profes- sional Company that embodies The Rifles ethos. We feel proud to re-energise The Rifles brand in Yorkshire and to be part of the creation of the 8th Battalion. This snapshot of our year will give you a flavour of our activities and adventures.
Our focus has been on the recruitment of new Riflemen, whilst providing exciting training and opportunities to our serving soldiers. This not only includes bringing in new Riflemen and ensuring they are trained, but also delivering on the offer. To achieve this aim, we have focused on honing our military skills, and in particular our ability to operate in woods and forests in preparation for our deployment to Slovenia on Ex TRIGLAV STAR 19 later this year. Set in the Triglavski National Park, Ex TRIGLAV STAR 19 allows our Riflemen to test their physical robustness, using a number of methods to navigate around the Julian Alps including rope bridges for gap-crossings, via ferrata and sheer determination, whilst operating continuously at altitudes over 2000m. The complexity and skill required to fight in mountainous terrain will ensure our commanders and Riflemen are tested to the limit and has been a challenge the Riflemen have embraced and they can’t wait to deploy!
In June 2019 we deployed the Company to Capel Curig Training Camp - Snowdonia National Park to complete a multi-activity adventurous training package. Adventure Training is controlled exposure to risk, presenting new challenges and stretch that can be recalled when needed to reassure confidence in the future that they can complete tough dangerous tasks. Activities included Mountain Biking, Climbing, Hill Walking and Kayaking, with each day being designed to push the Riflemen to new limits. This exercise was a great opportunity for the Company to get to know each other and build team spirit, which has been vital to our newly formed Company.
Y Company paired with the Cleveland Boys Brigade to organise and participate in the Cleveland Hike. This is a test of endurance, team work and problem solving, with teams of 4-5 navigating a course of 35 miles in 24 hours over the North Yorkshire Moors. Early on the Saturday morning, over 300 entrants, which included over one hundred cadets, set off from Checkpoint One. Throughout the course they were met with command tasks as they moved through the checkpoints. The weekend was a great oppor- tunity to support the Boys Brigade and to support our community.
Y Company’s next 12 months will see Riflemen deploying to Slovenia, Afghanistan and Cyprus. The Company is continuing to grow and I am confident that Y Company will be a force to be reckoned with in Yorkshire – reinvigorating The Rifles brand and providing a company of highly professional Volunteer Reservists for use on operations and commitments.
Major John Elms OC Y Company
THE COMPANY IS CONTINUING TO GROW AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT Y COMPANY WILL BE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN YORKSHIRE
       THE RIFLES
SEVENTH BATTALION 135
Adventurous Training is about pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone
























































































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