Shilo Stag

Winning four of five events one would figure a team would triumph during an inaugural tactical training competition.
Hosted by PSP staff, the four-person Honey Badgers team had the best times in four of five events, but 1RCHA’s squad built up a sizeable lead after breezing through the RCA Museum trivia challenge in seven minutes, 36.1 seconds to earn bragging rights while hoisting the championship trophy.
Team captain Lt Nic McCabe’s 1RCHA foursome’s margin of victory was under eight minutes, when the dust had settled at the 2PPCLI LAV barn in the final event where participants were required to do — four times — four tire flips, 40 push-ups, 10 jumps in and out of the tire and 12 burpees.
The Honey Badgers comprised of Lt Peter Nadasdy (Base Supply officer), WO David Valentine (2IC Transition Centre), Sgt Caroline Brooks (G1) and Cpl Derek Picklyk (traffic tech) won this even in seven minutes, 49 seconds, while Right of the Line featuring Lt McCabe (TC E Tp C Bty), LCol Joe O’Donnell (CO) and two rookies just posted to 1RCHA, 2Lt Laura Turner and 2Lt Mitchell Cain came third in nine minutes, 51.9 seconds.
The Secret Keepers comprised of Sgt Michael Bedard (med tech), Cpl Bishop Reimer (BTL), Sgt Angela Browned (dental clinic co-ordinator) and Cpl Mary Banez (dental tech) finished second in eight minutes, 45 seconds.
Right of the Line would finish runner-up to Honey Badgers three times to keep the competition close down to the wire, with Honey Badgers shaving off 29 seconds in those events they won.
The tactical training competition’s events tested the physical mettle of the competitors, with the visit to the RCA Museum testing one’s artillery and Canadian military history with a trivia format. 1RCHA’s team had a decided advantage when it came to their history, and recognition of artillery pieces used in past wars.
The Secret Keepers finished second in this event, recording a time of 15 minutes, 53 seconds — compared to seven minutes, 36.1 seconds for Right of the Line. Honey Badgers came third in 17 minutes, 29 seconds.
Some of the questions asked included: Who was the Father of the Canadian Artillery (MGen TB Strange); What gun did Canada bring with them during the Boer War? (12-pounder rifled breech loading); and What gun did A Bty use during North-West Rebellion (nine-pounder).
Honey Badgers were especially strong in the four fitness challenges they won, with the opening event pushing the competitors with the following workout: 200m row (rowing machine used), one rope climb, 200m row, 100 air squats, 200m row, 100 DB single arm clean and press —50 each arm, 200m row, 100 box jumps, 200m row, 100 kettle bell swings — can be done single or double arm, 200m row and 100 jump rope skips — double or single unders.
Honey Badgers excelled to open the competition in Gym C at the GSH, winning with a time of 13 minutes, 17 seconds. Right of the Line were runner-up in 13 minutes, 25.8 seconds, followed by The Secret Keepers in 14 minutes, 14.1 seconds.
Of note, team members who start an exercise must complete the distance/reps unless injured or unable to complete it. Exception to the first event, where 100 reps are expected, these can be split amongst the team. Participants had to participate in at least one of the exercises.
Following the visit to the RCA Museum, tactical training competitors moved to the MPTF where they took part in the Force Test, which is comprised of 20m rushes, sandbag lifts, intermitted loaded shuffles and sandbag drag, all done twice.
Honey Badgers again won this event with a timing of eight minutes, 46 seconds. Right of the Line was in the lead as competitors began the sandbag drag, but an equipment malfunction slowed Right of the Line, finishing three seconds behind. The Secret Keeper finished in 10 minutes, 2.8 seconds.
Moving on to 1RCHA, the fitness challenge became more rigorous in what participants were exposed to while being officiated by PSP staff. This time, competitors started with a 200m DB farmer carry (walking only, and no dropping of weights, which had to be controlled to the ground); 100 lunges (can be walking, stationary or jump); 100 DB thruster (squat to shoulder press, and competitor must have full extension in upper body, and weights cannot be dropped, and must be controlled to the ground); and 200m run.
Honey Badgers won again, covering the distance and workout list in 17 minutes, 38 seconds. Right of the Line were runner-up in 17 minutes, 56.8 seconds, while The Secret Keepers completed the workout in 21 minutes, 27.5 seconds.
2PPCLI provided the final destination, with the LAV barn hosting the event won by Honey Badgers in seven minutes, 49 seconds, followed by The Secret Keepers in eight minutes, 45.2 seconds and Right of the Line in nine minutes, 51.9 seconds.
Overall, Right of the Line’s final timing was 57 minutes, 39.5 seconds. Runner-up Honey Badgers one hour, four minutes, 59 seconds. The Secret Keepers came third with an overall time of one hour, 10 minutes, 23 seconds.