Page 129 - The Bugle 2018

Commanding Officer’s Introduction
The 8th Battalion was formally established in June 2017 and after rapid progress achieved Initial Operational Capability on the first of November. To mark this important milestone a celebration was conducted in Bishop Auckland with a reception and musical display by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles.
The Battalion has been formed around D (Rifles) Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and E Company 6th Battalion The Rifles. Battalion Headquarters is based in Bishop Auckland, with D Company in Durham and Sunderland, E Company in Shrewsbury and Birmingham, Y Company in Pontefract and Doncaster, and Headquarter Company in Bishop Auckland and Sunderland. The Battalion is paired with the 2nd Battalion.
The Battalion has made great strides forward since the first personnel arrived in post in early July, although there are still challenges ahead. Manning has increased from 33% of estab- lishment to 63% in our first eight months and we have recruited high quality individuals to fill both our key Reserve and Full Time Reserve Service posts. Recruiting remains the main effort and we are already demonstrating growth in our expanding locations in Sunderland, Yorkshire and Birmingham.
Our paired relationship with the 2nd Battalion is developing well and both Battalions have lined up a number of opportunities to work together, both in the UK and abroad, including the Gabon, Sierra Leone and Jordan. The Battalion has signif- icant growth potential and to provide a secure foundation on which to build, we have cemented
links with our antecedent Regimental associa- tions and forged new ones across the North and Midlands. The Battalion is also pushing against an open door with our local communities who have wholeheartedly welcomed the formation of a new battalion in their local areas. The future looks positive for the Battalion and the Regimental footprint north of the Watford Gap.
Having taken our first steps in 2017, we have laid strong foundations for future activity. We are on an upward trend with manning and while this growth remains our main effort, in no way will it detract from our primary role. As a result we have a full and ambitious programme planned for training, focussing on shooting and the Battlecraft Syllabus with the ultimate aim of entering a strong team into the Cambrian Patrol competition in October 2018. The Battalion’s first Annual Deployment Exercise in September 2018 is now set as we go to press with a patrol skills competition as the central hub of activity. Community Engagement activity will also continue to integrate the Five Pillars of the Regiment in the North and Midlands.
Lt Col Nathan Teale
The Battalion’s buglers supporting the Band and Bugles from Bishop Auckland Town Hall
The RSM, TWO, BM and Sjt Elliot fostering links with Bishop Auckland Football Club
THE FUTURE LOOKS POSITIVE FOR THE BATTALION AND THE REGIMENTAL FOOTPRINT NORTH OF THE WATFORD GAP
THE RIFLES
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