BEGINNER TREADMILL WORKOUTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

TROOPS PREPARE FOR ARDUOUS TREK THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS ON 50th ANNIVERSARY OF CAMBRIAN PATROL


Regular and Territorial Army soldiers are preparing to take on one of the toughest patrolling tests of its kind on Exercise Cambrian Patrol.

An annual event, it takes place in late October/early November over some of the harshest and mountainous terrain on offer in the mid-Wales countryside. Arduous, physically and mentally demanding, it is a highlight in the British Army?s training calendar and regarded internationally as one of the toughest tests facing the modern-day soldier.

This years? exercise, which runs from October 23 to November 1, has attracted an entry of more than 80 eight-man/woman teams. Joining the British Regular and Territorial Army soldiers this year are 16 international Army teams from countries such as Australia, Canada, United States and France.

There are also two international teams taking part for the first time ? Spain and Morocco.

Two thirds of the soldiers involved will be deployed to Afghanistan with their respective units in the next 12 months and will be using the event as part of their preparation.

On arrival at a given assembly area near Aberystwyth, teams will be subjected to a thorough check to ensure that they are in possession of the correct kit,
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equipment and clothing required for the exercise. Team patrol commanders will then be given a set of orders, for onward briefing to members of their patrol. Patrols are then taken to a number of drop-off points in the hills.

Split into seven phases, the teams, some with female soldiers, then have to march a mind-and-muscle sapping 55km carrying full personal kit and equipment, weighing in at some 60lbs, on a two-day patrolling mission.

Navigating both by day and night, the patrols face many testing and specialist challenges, including observation and reconnaissance of enemy forces, cold river crossings in full kit without access to boats, first-aid and defensive shooting under attack which takes place on the Army?s Sennybridge training area. At the completion of their patrol in Sennybridge, each team faces a comprehensive debriefing session on their mission.

Military skills, stamina and dedication are constantly evaluated during the patrol and marked with a system of points. Teams that successfully complete their patrol are awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal or certificate of merit, depending on the total number of points they have gained.

Note for Editors:

Exercise Cambrian Patrol itself began in 1959, when a group of Welsh Territorial Army soldiers designed a weekend training event, featuring long distance marching over the Cambrian Mountains, culminating in a shooting match on the Sennybridge training area.

It has grown in stature over the years, with its format updated to meet the modern-day challenges. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious patrolling events of its kind in NATO.