Exercise Steele Tuff 2002
In October 2002, members of BRAVO Company, 9 RQR based at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, competed in their annual military competition and training weekend, code named "Steel Tuff".
Since 1976 our Association has sponsored an annual Military Excellence Award' to the winning section of `Steel Tuff. The award consists of a green and gold medallion ( see photos this newsletter) featuring the Regimental badges of the PNGVR and 9 RQR. Engraved on the reverse side is the soldier's name, rank and serial number, plus a Certificate of achievement.
The exercise, which was held at the Canungra Land Warfare Centre, included navigation, weapons, obstacles, check points, first aid and tactics. The bush area was bone dry and hot, and I countered no less than 7 water bottles on one young digger's webbing4 on his waist webbing and 3 mounted on his back pack, not to mention the `camel pak' - a water bladder which is packed into the back pack and accessed by way of a long plastic tube to the mouth. These camel paks can contain 2- 4 litres or more. No wonder I couldn't lift a typical back pack, let alone actually walk or rather stagger with one more than 10 metres.
The overall winners were the young soldiers of 6 section Recon Platoon BRAVO Company, led by LCpl Michael Mersiades. Top soldier award for 9 RQR for 2002 went to Pte Jarrod Brook from Recon Platoon.
CO, Lt Colonel Mark Plath and RSM WOI J Heron made Association representatives-Bob Collins, Joe Fisk, Col Gould, Tom Dowling and Barry Wright welcome and thanked the Association for its ongoing commitment in supporting military excellence in 9 RQR.
After the official proceedings, a great field 'steak and snag' lunch was delivered out in the field. How things have changed.
One thing that has not changed was the commanding voices of senior NCO's as diggers prepared to leave the base ....... "It is an offence both military and civilian to remove from a training area or live firing range any ammunition etc" Barry Wright had his eye on some new, but now empty metal ammo boxes ( would make great tool boxes says Barry) but, these days everything is counted, re-countered and six copies of all paperwork completed.
Our congratulations to all members of BRAVO Company who took part. To quote from Winston Churchill on Reservists " They are twice the citizen. They serve their country in peace, and are prepared to die for it in war".
Setting up the table to total the marks received by each Section.
In the background is the tower at the end of the Obstacle Course at Canungra off which the soldiers had to jump into Canungra Creek.
Below. Calcuiating the marks for the Setions.
In the background is the tower at the end of the Obstacle Course at Canungra off which the soldiers had to jump into Canungra Creek.
Below. Calcuiating the marks for the Setions.
A good indication of the gear each Section carried.
The final exercise - the tug of war.
Check of equipment to ensure no live ammunition being taken off the training area.
Joe Fisk presents the medallion and certificate to one of the winning Section.
Bob Collins answering a question from someone as he is presenting the Certificate to a member of the winning Section.
The winning Section from Recon Platoon, Bravo Company.
L/Cpl Mersiades, leader of the winning Section received congratulations from the CO 9 RQR, Lt Col Mark Plath
Top soldier 9 RQR, Pte Jarrod Brook, who was in the winning Section.
