Spectators Guide
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SANDHURST 2019 Spectators guide Purpose “To deliver the world’s premier international academy military skills competition that inspires Cadets to achieve military excellence in their chosen profession by competing in a physically and mentally rigorous leadership and small unit military skills challenge that reflects the tempo, uncertainty and tasks of combat operations.” HISTORY OF THE SANDHURST COMPETITION In 1967, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) presented West Point with a British officer’s sword. The intent was for the sword to be the prize for a competition, the aim of which was to promote military excellence among the Corps of Cadets. The original purpose statement read as follows - "To provide the Corps of Cadets with a challenging and rewarding regimental skills competition, which will enhance professional development and military excellence in selected soldier skills.” Between 1967 and 1975 the competition criteria were similar to those for the current Superintendent's Award, that is; Corps Squad participation, Intramurals, physical fitness tests, drill and ceremonies and Cadet Brigade Company evaluations. In 1975 the then Commandant, BG Philip R. Feir and the British Exchange Officer, Major Robert Hodges KORBR studied the criteria and determined that they were inappropriate. They felt that the criteria fell short of the original intent of the award which was to increase 'military excellence in the field'. More specifically they recommended that the format be changed significantly to test the cadets ability to 'move, shoot and communicate' stressing teamwork among the classes as a fundamental and essential element in the competition. Thus, it was recommended to the Superintendent, and subsequently approved by him, that a competition be set up to be conducted in the Spring during drill and intramural time to include the following - equipment inspection, communications, weapon handling, swift movement, shooting and land navigation. All 36 companies provided 5 four-man patrols and one alternate patrol per company, with all four classes represented in each patrol. Over 864 cadets competed each year, or 20% of the Corps. The competition was conducted at Camp Buckner during 20 weekdays in April. The logistical problems of the program led to calls for it to move to Summer Training, and so in 1981, a major placement study took place. It concluded that the advantages of conducting it in the spring outweighed the disadvantages, and also recommended that it should take place at West Point. So in 1982, the competition was run in two phases, again in April, in roughly the same format, with a navigation course on one day, set by the orienteering club, and the firing of the M16 sub-caliber device in the indoor range. In 1986 it was decided that the teams should complete the competition on a single day, to include firing the M16 on an outdoor range. In 1988 company team composition changed to 2 nine person squads including one female, instead of the 5 four-man patrols. From 1992 onwards, one team of nine from each company has competed, together with a varying number of ROTC teams. Since 1993 two teams from RMA Sandhurst have taken part, and from 1997, a team from RMC Canada has also participated. 2002 saw a further increase in the number of external teams competing; including a team from Germany (to help mark the Bi-Centennial Competition), and teams from the Naval, Air Force and Coast Guard Academies. The 2003 Competition saw the German Team replaced by the Merchant Marine Academy. The Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Plaque is awarded to the competition’s highest scoring squad each year. It is commemorated to team leader Cadet Reggie Johnson, who tragically died while taking part in the land navigation phase of the competition on Friday, the 11th of April, 1980. The original plaque was replaced in 1999 with a mounted cadet sabre, to be presented annually to the best team. In 2004 The RMA Sandhurst Red team defended the title once again. The 2005 competition saw a sixth ROTC team taking up the challenge as a replacement for the Merchant Marine Academy. No ROTC participation was seen in 2007 but 4 teams were due to enter in 2008. The competition was won for the first time by RMC (Canada) in 2005 and they successfully defended their title during both the 2006 and 2007 Sandhurst Competitions. 2008 saw the Competition being held exclusively on Post with RMA Sandhurst reclaiming their crown taking first and second positions in what was an impressive performance on one of the most demanding courses in the history of the competition. 2009’s competition moved back to its old haunts in the training areas surrounding the Academy. The competition was changed and updated to reflect the changing demands placed upon Platoon Leaders on current operations. Typically the competition remained tough physically, although now the competition sought to stretch the metal aptitude and tactical decision making ability of the teams. RMC (Canada) took the title that year. 2010/11 saw the competition move back out onto the training area surrounding Lake Popolopen and Camp Buckner. Continuing to encompass the demands of current operations, however, the competition developed into a conceptual challenge focusing on the flexibility of mind and problem solving in addition to the physical dimension. The competition included up to 16 external teams including additions such as Australia, Chile, Taiwan, Spain, Afghanistan, USMAPs, USAFA, USNA and now 8 ROTC teams: a great international event. In 2010 RMA Sandhurst Red team put up its ninth win and in 2011 for the first time in 18 years USCC B-3 took first place. In 2017 the competition included for the first time the Surdyke Leadership Award, which is presented to the best squad leader in the competition. The award was presented in memory of Cadet Tom Surdyke who tragically died while attempting to save the life of a drowning civilian, thus embodying the ethos of the Sandhurst Competition. The 2019 competition includes 49 teams. PAST WINNERS 2018 – United States Air Force Academy 2017 - USMA Black 2016 - Royal Military College of Canada 2015 - Sandhurst Red 2014 - Sandhurst Blue 2013 - Sandhurst Blue 2012 - Royal Military College of Australia 2011 - USMA B-3 2010 - Sandhurst Red 2009 - Royal Military College of Canada 2008 - Sandhurst Red 2007 - Royal Military College of Canada 2006 - Royal Military College of Canada 2005 - Royal Military College of Canada 2004 - Sandhurst Red 2003 - Sandhurst Blue 2002 - Sandhurst Red 2001 - Sandhurst Blue 2000 - Sandhurst 2 1999 - Sandhurst 1 1998 - Sandhurst 2 1997 - Sandhurst 1 1996 - Sandhurst 1 1995 - Sandhurst 1 1994 - Sandhurst 1 1993 - USMA E-4 1992 - USMA I-2 1991 - USMA 2-C-4 1990 - USMA 2-E-1 1988 - USMA 1-C-3 Sandhurst 2019 Awards 5th – 1st Place: Sandhurst Medal Reginald E. Johnson Saber Plaque: Best overall team score Tom Surdyke Leadership Award: Best Squad Leader Sandhurst ROTC Cup: Awarded to the 1st place ROTC team Sandhurst International Cup: Awarded to the1st place International team All other Teams: Certificate of Participation signed by the Commandant of Cadets Sandhurst 2019 Teams International (x14) Australia Canada UK UK Germany Denmark Korea Thailand Colombia Greece Japan Mexico Chile Brazil Sandhurst 2019 Statistics Competition Total distance covered: 30 miles (approximately) Distance Day 1: 12 miles Distance Night: 6 miles Distance Day 2: 12 miles Weight carried by each competitor: minimum of 35lbs/20.5 kg Total time: 36 hours (approximately) Competitors International teams 14 teams / 13 countries Total number of competing teams 49 teams Total number of competitors (11 per team) 539 Support Number of Cadets 350 Number of USMA faculty 60 Sandhurst 2019 Event Locations Range 2 Range 4 Range 8 Zodiac Range 11 Event 1 Obstacle Course Highway 293 is the principal route to each event in the training area. Follow Washington Road to exit the base. Turn left onto highway 218, Leader Course then turn right onto highway 293 (this will take you beneath route 9W. Range Signage West Point Ranges are marked with signs that appear as this one does. Range 4 and 8 are a part of the Gettysburg and Richmond Ranges, respectively. Range 11 is a part of the Normandy Range system. The ranges off highway 293 are labeled as such – therefore, look for Gettysburg, Richmond, and Normandy, followed by the specific range number. Range signs are provided on the event details pages within this guide. Sandhurst 2019 General Timeline Competition Visitor Procedures • Visitors are only authorized to visit the designated spectator events. • Visitors must park in the designated parking areas, marked by white marking tape and/or event support personnel. • DO NOT interfere with the execution of the event. • For your safety and that of the participants, do not attempt to view any of the non-designated events. • Remain clear of all emergency vehicles during the event. • Immediately inform event personnel if you observe a safety concern. • When directed, obey all commands and directions from event personnel. Competition Purpose “To deliver the world’s premier international academy military skills competition that inspires Cadets to achieve military excellence in their chosen profession by competing in a physically and mentally rigorous leadership and small unit military skills challenge that reflects the tempo, uncertainty and tasks of combat operations.” West Point Cantonment Area You are here To depart the Cantonment Area to the event sites in the training Event 1 Location area, follow Washington Road North to exit the base. Turn left Event 12 Location (west) onto highway 218 for approximately 1 mile, then right onto highway 293. Start Point Sandhurst Information Center Cullum Hall Parking Sandhurst Information Center Located in Cullum Hall, the Information Center offers the most up to date information on the competition Start Point Quarters 100 What You Need to Know 4 Teams will start every 25 minutes, outside Quarters 100, the Superintendent’s House.