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Exercise Resolute Riley 2005
Capt Tim Fletcher
A great strength of military life is the teamwork – it not only builds unit and individual pride but is a force multiplier. Soldiers who know how the rest of the team works are more effective warriors.
For the RHLI, Exercise Resolute Riley at Valens Conservation Area is a key team-building event. It starts our training year on the right foot right after Labour Day and gets people together as a unit for the first time after summer courses. It's where our newest soldiers generally meet the rest of the unit for the first time.
One of the key purposes of Resolute Riley is to integrate our new soldiers like these into the unit at the end of their summer training.
The troops, competing in pairs, started with a fast one-kilometre hike across-country from the starting line. The next stage had them slogging waist-deep through 600 metres of the infamous Beverly black swamp. The Riley soldiers then put on a rucksack with a 20-kilogram (50-pound) load for a 1.5 kilometre forced march through woodland trails and over the Valens bridge. The soldiers cooled off by wading across part of the lake near the swimming area and finished with a quick sprint to the finish line.
With a time of 42:09, the team of Corporal (now MCpl) Mike Bryant of “C” Coy and Pte Kyle Andress, “B” Coy, captured first-place honours.
They will be awarded the Nicolazzo Trophy (named after MCpl Frank Nicolazzo who died in a traffic accident) at the Soldier's Christmas Dinner ast the December stand-down.
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Members of the RHLI have started their training year since 1999 with Exercise Resolute Riley, which includes a 4-K cross-country trek followed by a family BBQ. |
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The shallow-water crossing obstacle provides a quick relief to the heat generated during the rucksack portion of Resolute Riley. The safety boat is on the lookout for anyone who might experience a moment of difficulty. It's never happened, but safety first! |
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Seen by telephoto lens from the Valens Bridge, the swamp crossing doesn't look so bad.... |
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... but emerging from the other end shows the truth, with water and infamous Beverly swamp muck streaming from pants and boot tops. |
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Cpl Nick Ellens was one of the first across the Valens bridge with his 25-kilo pack, midpoint on the course. |
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The military band of the RHLI forms a key part of Resolute Riley. At the key halfway point of the course, just after the bridge crossing, our musicians play each competitor onto the next leg. At the same time, they attract public attention to the unit with their skill and talent. |
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Getting to the ruck drop point is a test of endurance, but the moment of dropping the 25-kilo pack is a study in relief for this Riley! |
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LCol Guy Smith, RHLI Commanding Officer, donned rucksack and t-shirt for the run, taking on the course with the soldiers. |
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Master Warrant Officer Kombo Hassan, acting Regimental Sergeant-Major, was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and formally appointed RSM at the end of Resolute Riley, before the family BBQ kicked off. |
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