Page 80 - The Bugle 2018

Regimental Shooting Team
Armed with the Baker rifle our forbearers were the first skirmishing troops of the British Army. Selected for their agility, skill at arms, leadership and most importantly marksmanship they became the ‘chosen men’. Entrusted with a more accurate weapon system these crack shots forged a reputation that we in the modern-day Rifles cling to and are extremely proud of. Indeed, you only have to look to our advertising campaigns to see the emphasis on such things as the sniper rifle. The clue is in the name and as members of The Rifles marksmanship is something that we should be known for and take extremely seriously.
Whilst many a Commanding Officer has tried to promote this, most of us will be aware that the reputation for small arms shooting realistically lies with the Gurkhas. They have dominated the Army Operational Shooting Competition (AOSC) (Bisley) for years. However, change is at hand and in the last few years The Rifles have started to make headway,
A PHENOMENAL RESULT PUTTING OUR NAME ON THE MAP AND MAKING GURKHAS TAKE NOTICE!
reinvigorating our reputation for marksmanship and posing a threat to the Gurkhas. With the designation of the 4th Battalion as the Shooting Battalion, its shooting team has grown from strength to strength culminating last year in a record 2nd place finish at Bisley. A phenomenal result putting our name on the map and making Gurkhas take notice!
This year the 4 RIFLES team started the season by holding a selection cadre to source talent from the other battalions. After two weeks on the local ranges several members from other battalions made the cut and joined us for the 2018 season.
Having reroled as Specialised Infantry there was no Brigade Operational Shooting Competition (BOSC) that the team could warm up with in prepa- ration for the Divisional competition. Fortunately, though 12 Brigade were kind enough to let us enter their BOSC as guests, competing for honours only. This was a brilliant opportunity to allow the B team to gain experience in a competitive environment and put their hand up for a spot in the A team. The lads performed well and would have comfortably won and taken best individual shot had we been members of 12 Brigade.
Next up was the Divisional Operational Shooting Competition (DOSC) held in Catterick. In order to best prepare for this the squad undertook a two-week range package on those very ranges so as to learn the specific points of aim for each and
The shooting team putting in the hard hours on the ranges