Training & Sport

It would be impossible to dictate a typical day of Regimental Duty, as life is constantly changing; depending largely on what task, operation or exercise a Squadron is billed against.

In camp, the day usually begins with PT, ranging from squad runs, tabs (weighted marches), circuits in the gym or combat focused ‘green’ PT. PT is closely curated by a SSgt from the PT Corps and his team of PTIs. This is done in great detail to ensure that the widest variety of training is achieved, whilst throwing in a healthy dose of competition and strain so as to test soldiers and their physical robustness. PT is usually conducted at the Squadron level.

The KRH have always invested heavily in team sports, particularly football, with many Hussars representing the RAC and wider army teams. However, rugby, boxing, cricket, water polo, hockey, squash, cycling, shooting and athletics are to name but a few of the sports for which the Regiment produces both talented individuals and teams.

After PT, Squadrons will usually conduct any training or vehicle maintenance relevant to upcoming exercises or deployments. This may include firing personal weapons, lessons on communication systems, tacticslectures, medical training or career courses.

Soldiers will initially focus on developingintheir core roles as eitherChallenger 2drivers or gunners, before learning to become operators (full crewman) and eventually individual tank commanders.There is also a large variety of other vehicle platforms that must be crewed and soldiers will often find that they are trained on a number of platforms during their careers within the KRH.

Squadrons will also find themselves frequently honing their mounted live fire skills down in Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire.

The KRH’s purpose is to warfight. Within Third (UK) Division and Twelve Brigade, training takes place in cycles depending on operation or tasks. When on NATO readiness, the KRH will complete Combat Ready Training on Salisbury Plain, validating to a Battlegroup size with Armoured Infantry sub units under the KRH, or Sqns attached to Armoured Infantry Battalion HQs. Recently Estonia has been a regularly operation for the KRH to deploy on which requires Mission Ready Training on Salisbury Plain or in Germany to prove competence to defend the Eastern Flank.

A particularly vital form of training at the KRH, which doesn’t include tracked vehicles or weapon handling, is adventurous training. This part of a soldier’s training is designed to take them out of their comfort zone and expose them to activities and challenges that they may never have experienced outside of the Army. These range from canoeing, kayaking, caving, freefall parachuting, gliding, mountaineering, mountain biking, offshore sailing, paragliding, alpine skiing, cross country skiing and scuba diving. These activities are organised by both officers and soldiers alike and run throughout the year, across the world. Many individuals discover new passions and go on to gain multiple qualifications through military funded schemes, enabling them to become instructors and expedition leaders.