Bragging rights for 7th Brigade’s Military Skills competition this year went to 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR). 

The skills competition at Gallipoli Barracks and infantry concentration course at Kokoda Barracks at Canungra tested battle fitness, close-quarters fighting, combat first aid and teamwork. 

The gruelling challenges keep Army’s high-readiness forces fighting fit and ready for warfighting and other operations.

Private Alec Whitton, of 6RAR, said the competition encouraged a mindset of being ready to deploy on combat operations.

“You need to adopt a ready mindset. You don’t know where or when that next task will be” Private Whitton said.

“We are focused on physical and mental fitness and enduring hardship.”

Commanding Officer 6RAR Lieutenant Colonel Ed Cousins said such competitions were important.

“At the small team level it practises proficiencies in a whole range of activities and the way we can apply lethal force,” Lieutenant Colonel Cousins said.

“How we employ technical skills in combat shooting and unarmed combat, through to our ability to move from a point of insertion to an objective across arduous terrain, over long distances and multiple obstacles.

“It tests a unit’s fighting spirit, its morale, and it tests our people striving for excellence in everything we do.

“You can be technically proficient, but without a fighting spirit your chances are reduced.”

A team of soldiers from the New Zealand Army also competed.