Page 37 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

5th Battalion Rifles Mountain

biking

By Corporal Rakesh Tamang
One of the main priorities in 2018 was to take part in the 20th Armoured
Infantry Brigade Shooting Competition prior to the Defence Operational
Shooting Competition.

Shooting Competition Exercise Warriors Craft
Corporal Purna Bahadur Gurung was part of the Regimental Private Reuben Pachuau deployed to Canada with B

Shooting Team that took part in the 20th Armoured Infantry Company. As this was his first overseas exercise, his thoughts
Brigade and Defence Operational Shooting Competition were running wild and full of excitement not knowing
during the summer. The Brigade Shooting Competition what to expect. In Canada, he was providing support and
was held in Normandy Barracks, Sennelager. The Regiment administering the Battle Group. With him were members

were overall team champions and finished first in the March from the Royal Tank Regiment, First Fusiliers, and 1 Logistic
Support Regiment. Administering just over a thousand service
and Shoot Competition. Corporal Purna Bahadur Gurung personnel was demanding and very challenging. He was
finished in 3rd position overall which encouraged and gave very lucky as he was given the opportunity to deploy with his

him tremendous confidence before the Defence Operational company out on the training area. He recalls that he was very

Shooting Competiton. happy to deploy and learn, with passion, different skill sets

with the Riflemen whilst training with them. He deployed as

More Shooting part of a Warrior crew, learning how to dismount and conduct
night attacks, compound clearances and trench clearance
The Defence Operational Shooting competition was held in from the back of his Warrior. Reuben
Pirbright with 52 teams participating. Each team had eight Pachuau in
Firers, which included six Small Arms 80 Firers and two Light Rock Climbing Canada
Support Weapon gunners. The competition was very tough
as there were 13 matches in total which included team and Apart from all the hard work on the training area Reuben

Individual matches. Individuals were required to carry 15 Pachuau was able to get some time off for adventure training
kilograms, which included webbing, body armour, weapon on the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Canada. He was
and a helmet. During each match, firers were required to get accommodated in Trails End Camp, just over an hour away

from the Rock Climbing Centre. He chose to take part in Rock
more than 60 per cent of the total score, out of 1,720, to qualify Climbing deliberately to challenge his fear of heights.
for Army 100 Badge and to win a medal as well. However, due
to intense competition the required percentage was increased He had such a fantastic experience and great fun in Canada.
on the final day. The competition was very demanding, tested Most importantly he learnt how things can change so quickly

every aspect of marksmanship and personal fitness. during operations and at the front line.

Corporal Purna Bahadur Gurung finished in the top 50 of the
Army 100 and was awarded a Medal and an Army 100 Badge.
In the words of Corporal Purna Bahadur Gurung “It was an
amazing experience and a great moment to represent the

Adjutant General’s Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) with my
head held high standing shoulder to shoulder amongst other
Cap Badges whilst receiving my medal”.
Adventure Training
At the end of June, the Regiment and 19 Regiment Royal
Artillery detachments deployed on Exercise Highland Dragon.
The training took place near Monmouth, around the Black
Mountains. The activities were hill walking up Pen y Fan
and the Offa Dyke Trail, mountain biking through the Forest

of Dean and Canoeing down the River Wye. The activities
were physically and mentally challenging set in an outdoor
environment to build on team cohesion and encourage links
between detachments.
Purna
Both detachments had a very enjoyable time as the weather Bahadur
was very good. A special note of thanks to the three former Gurung with
chefs, Sergeant Bhakta Limbu, Corporal Pravin Gurung and his Defence
Corporal BhismaThapa for all their hard work and endeavour Operational Canoeing on
the River Wye
in the kitchen fuelling us to keep us going and for organising Shooting
medal
the wonderful barbecue.

36 37