Skills thrill at Pucka
Volume 11, No. 39, March 23, 2006
By Barry Rollings

Degree of difficulty: Members of 3 Recov Coy on the navigation test. Photos by Pte John Ainley.

Long way down: Pte Kate Parker and LCpl Josh Wilder, 176 AD Sqn, clamber over a shipping container during the military skills competition.

WIZARDRY in weaponry, waterproofing and wiring were some of the tasks that went under the microscope when 9FSB held its annual military skills competition at Puckapunyal.

About 80 personnel took part in skills that tested infantry minor tactics on April 29-30.

Teams came from the battalion’s sub units – 26 Tpt Sqn, Puckapunyal; 15 Tpt Sqn, Bendigo, 176 AD Sqn, Richmond; 3 Recov Coy, Dandenong; 1 Pet Coy, Oakleigh; and 9 Log Spt Coy, Randwick. The battalion’s officers also entered a team.

Contestants were able to show their prowess in exercises such as navigation, using radio equipment (ratel procedures), a dam crossing that included packing, waterproofing and floating equipment across with rifles; and a timed obstacle competition that tested speed, aggression and teamwork.

Lt Dominik Kul said a quick-decision exercise, enjoyed by most participants, called on competitors to think laterally and overcome obstacles while crossing from one side of a ravine to the other but with various restrictions applied to actions that could be taken.

First aid skills were tested when participants were given scenarios for two injuries and then had to treat “casualties” in a tactical scenario. Defensive skills, such as wiring in a tactical defensive setting, also were tested.

At every stand, various staff from each unit judged participants on a points basis. 15 Tpt Sqn eventually won the Regan’s Race Trophy from 26 Tpt Sqn and 176 AD Sqn.

The officers’ team, which had been placed equal first, was “disqualified due to rank”.

Commandant RACT Col Rob Regan, who had donated the winner’s trophy, also presented it as his last official function in uniform.

After the competition a team was selected to represent 9FSB in the 17 CSS Bde military skills competition in Townsville.