Junior field gunners set sights on competition

HOT ON the heels of the Seniors’ Challenge which took place last Saturday as part of its popular open day event, HMS Collingwood will host the annual Junior Leaders’ Field Gun Competition on this Friday, July 8.

This competition is similar to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun annual event but is predominantly for youths aged 16 to 24 years in age, who have either only recently joined the Armed Forces or just begun apprenticeships with major commercial organisations.

In addition to the Armed Forces crews, teams will compete from various local colleges, Sea Cadet units and university technical colleges across the country at the Fareham based training establishment on Newgate Lane.

Strength, stamina and teamwork are essential throughout this extremely physical challenge; with the teams required to run, dismantle, reassemble and fire the field guns in the shortest / quickest possible time as measured by speed monitors.

Building on The Team Works and emphasising the training themes, the teams are currently training for the competition and, after just one week, the finals will take place on Friday in front of friends, family and personnel across the training base.

The Junior Leaders’ Challenge is the only competition open specifically for new recruits and youth age personnel, offering them a chance to work as a team and challenge themselves in a unique setting.

It is hoped that the enthusiasm and professionalism on display by the teams will encourage them to take part in the main Royal Navy Field Gun Competition in future years, normally held as part of the annual open day and recently returned to the calendar last weekend after three years due to Covid-19 rules.

PICTURED: Sea cadets being put through their paces at HMS Collingwood in preparations for this Friday.