Covered in mud, tired, and with every item of their kit drenched, infantrymen were pushed to see which battalion could field the best section in the Duke of Gloucester (DoG) Cup.

A section of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) emerged from the Tully jungle winners of this year’s competition, held from September 12 to 18.

In his first DoG Cup, 1RAR’s Corporal Tiger Jefferys, who led his section, said they came together as a team in July and started to train for the competition.

“I am super proud to have won. This is the wettest I have ever seen Tully,” Corporal Jefferys said.  

“The battalion has not won the competition since 2015, so it means a lot to take the trophy home.”

This year’s DoG Cup was arguably the most challenging, with Tully drenched in more than 200mm of rain during the four-day tactical phase.

Lead planner Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Tim Taylor said it was a rude awakening for some.

“We've had record levels of rain up here in Tully and for some soldiers, that's the first time they've ever been in the jungle,” WO2 Taylor said.

The competition’s initial phase assessed the soldier’s foundation warfighting skills before they moved into a full mission profile tactical phase.  

'The standard of soldiers that we've seen has been outstanding.'

With bragging rights on the line, sections started at Mount Stuart Training Area to conduct live-fire shoots and be assessed on communications, first aid and navigation.

From there, soldiers were transported to Tully to begin phase two.

As soon as the soldiers’ boots hit the ground, it started raining and did not stop until after the competition ended.  

Over the next few days, each section completed a number of military skills challenges as part of the tactical phase of the competition.

This included everything from a section attack to a key leadership engagement.

Sections were scored on foundational infantry skills by the directing staff.

They were assessed on everything from the way they patrolled as a section to the corporal’s command and control.

“The standard of soldiers that we've seen has been outstanding. Even when they were cold, wet, tired and hungry, and in severe pain, they still put their best effort forward,” WO2 Taylor said.

“It's a matter of pride for them to be able to complete the Duke of Gloucester Cup and it means a lot to take it home to their battalion if they win.”

Towards the end of the competition, soldiers were pushed to their limits: a brutal 10km march hauling a stretcher with an 80kg load.

The competition concluded with the obstacle and bayonet assault courses.

Competition winners

Duke of Gloucester Cup – 1RAR

Royal Ulster Rifles Trophy – 2RAR

Gurkha Trophy – 2RAR

Sir Arthur MacDonald Trophy – 1RAR

RAR Foundation Trophy – 6RAR

Albert Jacka Trophy for Best Section 2IC – Lance Corporal Sam Cooper, 3RAR

Regimental Sergeant Major’s Trophy for Best Section Commander – Corporal Tiger Jefferys, 1RAR