Over the weekend of 8th-10th March, TWGGS CCF participated in the annual Regional 11th Brigade Military Skills Competition near Borden, Hampshire. We took 10 cadets, forming two fire teams (Charlie and Delta) from year groups 11 to 13.
On the first evening, we began by setting up our tents (something we were grateful for as the opportunity to sleep in tents as opposed to bashas is not a common occurrence). Following that, we prepared our dinners from 24-hour ration packs and were also issued with our rifles for the weekend ahead. To end the night, in pairs, we revised communications knowledge which involved assembling/disassembling PRC710 radios and communicating in morse code using torches.
The actual competition commenced the following day and there were 10 stands in total that we had to patrol to. After breakfast, we headed to our first stand of the day which was air rifles. It was a great start to the competition due to its more relaxed nature and with some particularly great groupings we all enjoyed the chance to shoot.
Second was a Section Attack and we used our energy and high morale to take down the enemy with as much momentum as possible. The terrain was difficult being slightly uphill and full of thick, thorny brambles which were hard to traverse. It was a thrilling experience as Charlie fire team held covering fire for Delta fire team to flank left and fight through. I felt the aggression in the shouts and the adrenaline from both the sight and smell of blank rounds leaving my rifle.
By far, our most impressive stand was the Casualty Evacuation stand. Not only did we rank 1st but our teamwork, kindness to the casualties and subject knowledge was excellent. The first scenario was extracting a villager from a minefield in enemy territory. We cautiously checked for mines as well as applying a tourniquet to a catastrophic bleed. We swiftly evacuated everyone safely whilst smoke grenades were thrown. The second scenario involved 3 casualties where we had to aid multiple bleeds and two unconscious casualties (one also not breathing thus requiring CPR). It also involved a written exam on DRABC and the secondary survey. (Kudos to Sgt Pagquil for providing a METHANE report to the instructors, which is a mnemonic paramedics use to gather information, further showing our First Aid prowess).
Our final stand of the day ended on a high with Navigation, which we also placed 1st for. It included an exciting game show style activity. Each team member had to answer 10 questions on a given subject. It tested knowledge on map symbols to flags of the world. More correct answers in a row contributed to extra bonus points and if you got an answer wrong, at any point, it meant that after your turn you wouldn’t be able to help your team anymore. These unlucky few also had to sit in the ‘Sin Bin’. Hilariously, Sgt Carroll refused to answer her final question to protect our extra 80 points which resulted in a standstill for the final 15 minutes, all within the rules of the game
To conclude Saturday, the team huddled for warmth in the minivan and we crammed in military knowledge to prepare for the Military Knowledge stand the next day. It involved learning dates of wars, names of tanks and names of high ranking officers. Funnily enough, RSM Joshy found a website with an abundance of questions and the following day the exact questions were used at the stand- articulated word for word as on the website too. The quick glances we all collectively made at each other when we realised made the final stand even more funny and enjoyable.
The final day also included two aim-based stands (archery and laser clay pigeon shooting). Finally, the whole competition ended with a parade where we congratulated the winning teams.
Overall, I am extremely proud of everyone in the team for giving it their all at every stand. Mood was consistently high and I am sure everyone had a great time at the stands as well as when having our own team time in the evenings. Our hard work revising and practising over the recent weeks may not show itself in 6th place (albeit a bit skewed with all the aim-based stands) but it most definitely showed in the Casevac and Navigation stand. I wish the best of luck to the team next year and am definitely a little sad that I won’t be able to attend again next year with my team/friends.
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