Page 139 - The Bugle 2018

Ex FROSTED SWORD, Val Thorens
In early March 2018, 28 soldiers from 8 RIFLES made their way to Val Thorens, France. This was the first expedition for the battalion, with support from instructors from other units as well as two instructors within the battalion, successfully delivering SF1 and SF2 courses during the week. With a season of record snowfall ensuring the conditions were fantastic, and more falling throughout the week, the riflemen got to experience the best the Alps have to offer. With a core of newly trained soldiers getting their first taste of Adventure Training after spending the long slog of pushing their way through Selection, Phase One Alpha and Bravo and finally the Combat Infantryman’s Course, the expedition was met with great enjoyment and a real sense of unit cohesion across the board. Even the old and bold amongst the battalion who were new to skiing enjoyed every minute of it!
Embracing the core values and the aims of AT the soldiers were taken out of their comfort zones and challenged during the trip, introductions to off piste skiing and some more challenging ski touring for those more experienced skiers, proved to test the determination of even the most experienced soldiers.
Every man returned from the trip with a smile on their face, new skills with a development plan, and one question, are we going again!?
Cpl Mike Hubbard
E Coy
EVERY MAN RETURNED FROM THE TRIP WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE
THE RIFLES
EIGHTH BATTALION 145
The advanced group, led by Cpl Hubbard, well off the beaten piste
Exercise FROSTED SWORD 2018