On Sunday 12 April, following months of preparation in the United Kingdom, 24 Officer Cadets and 5 Permanent Staff from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst deployed to Fort Benning, home of the United States Infantry. From the outset, the sheer scale of the installation, housing over 120,000 personnel was striking, offering an immediate insight into the resources and tempo of our American counterparts.

Under the guidance of Captain Corbett, the team was introduced to the camp, including the Ranger Memorial and a series of demanding obstacle courses used by the United States Army Ranger School. The subsequent two weeks were focused on acclimatisation and preparation, beginning with early morning physical training and in temperatures often exceeding 30°C.

A critical component of this phase was familiarisation with U.S. weapon systems, including the M4 carbine, M17 pistol, M249 light machine gun, and M240 general-purpose machine gun, all of which would feature during the competition. Training extended beyond equipment handling to encompass micro-navigation, medical skills, voice procedure, and tactical drills. Throughout, our U.S. counterparts demonstrated exceptional professionalism and generosity, providing invaluable instruction and insight into their methods and standards.

Beyond training, cadets were afforded the opportunity to engage with American culture. Visits to institutions such as the National Infantry Museum, alongside time spent in Columbus, Georgia, and local venues including Evan’s Barbeque Company and Dixie Speedway, provided a broader understanding of the U.S. Army’s heritage and its relationship with the surrounding community.

The team then deployed to the United States Military Academy at West Point to compete in the Sandhurst Miltary Skills Competition, affectionately known as ‘Sandhurst’, an international competition established in 1967. The event tests cadets across a demanding range of military skills, including tactical movement, marksmanship, medical response, and command and control under pressure. Competing against 48 teams from military academies across the globe, the Sandhurst contingent demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a high standard of soldiering throughout. The two UK teams finished 7th and 27th respectively, with the 7th place finish representing RMAS’s strongest performance in the competition for 7 years. Particular mention must go to OCdts Brennan, Henderson, Makepeace, Rex and Smith for their exceptional performances throughout the competition, for which they each earned an RMAS Commander’s Coin.

The experience will undoubtedly stand as a highlight of the participants’ time at RMAS. Exposure to allied training methods, combined with the intensity of international competition, has provided a strong foundation as the cohort prepares to enter Senior Term and subsequently Initial Trade Training.

Looking ahead, the lessons identified during this deployment will inform future teams. With continued refinement and the sustained support of Permanent Staff, a top five finish at the Sandhurst Competition in 2027 is now in our sights.