Cyber Geeks, Teamwork, Explosives

If I were to ask you to conjure up an image of 18 cyber geeks, the scene will probably involve:

• A dark room
• Coke cans everywhere
• The glow of screens against glasses
• The odd Rubik’s cube
• Empty pizza boxes
• The fat guy from The Simpsons

When ‘the geeks’ of MOD Corsham submitted a team to compete in the annual Field Gun tournament against 23 other teams from across the globe, you’d be right in thinking we might not be odds on favourites.

Compared to almost every other team, it would be unrealistic to say we had a team of 18 battle-hardened gladiators who could throw the 1000kg gun around like a rugby ball. Corsham is a relatively small base with a minimal military footprint and so instead of brute strength, we had to rely on other tools to succeed: incredible team ethos, outstanding training and a rock-hard resilience to get the job done together, whatever the cost.

Field Gun’s heritage continues to be labelled as “the most dangerous team sport in the world”. It was proved right. Throughout our training and the competition, our 18-strong team took our fair share of knocks: 2 fractured fingers, 1 broken hand, 2 broken toes and a torn calf. Despite injuries and setbacks, we rumbled across the finishing line in Corsham’s fastest ever time and brought some coveted silverware back home to Wiltshire. Absolutely outstanding.

Alongside the physical challenge, I was honoured to spearhead the campaign which raised over ￡4200 for our chosen charities. In one of my last days in military uniform, I had the great pleasure of presenting a cheque to the wonderful staff at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bath Royal United Hospital.

A fine ending to an exhausting journey for the whole team, which wouldn't have been possible without some of the best teamwork I have ever seen.

“The power of the team unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” --Mattie Stepanek

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” -- Michael Jordan