Sandhurst Competition
Encyclopedia
The Sandhurst Military Skills Competition is a military skills competition at West Point
that first began in 1967 with the presentation of a British officer's sword to the United States Corps of Cadets by the British Exchange Officer. Last year's event, dubbed SANCOM10 (SANdhurst COMpetition 2010), was a two-day event conducted at West Point
, New York
. The 2009 competition featured a record 49 teams and nearly 500 competitors. Besides the 32 squads from each of the West Point companies, visiting service academy teams included the Naval
and Air Force
Academies, Britain's
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS)
teams "Red" and "Blue", Canada's
Royal Military College (RMC)
, the National Military Academy of Afghanistan
, and the Chilean Military School. This year saw eight ROTC squads: Texas A&M
, BYU
, East Carolina University
, Iowa State University
, Florida Tech
, Georgetown
, University of Hawaii
, and Appalachian State
.
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: Varsity Athletic participation, Intramural sports performance, 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 "shoot, move, and communicate", stressing teamwork among the classes as a fundamental and essential element in the competition. Thus the competition was 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 have 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 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. 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.
Each USMA cadet company and visiting team selects a 9-member squad (at least one member must be female) with two alternates. A West Point female cadet volunteers to work with the Afghan team's squad as there are no females at the NMAA. Each squad is required to perform a series of military tasks along a route which took most teams approximately four hours to complete. Scores are determined by combining the points they earn by performing each military task along the route, with the points earned for completing the course within the 4-hour time frame. Examples of events include rappelling, building and crossing a one-rope bridge, obstacle course navigation, combat swim (with full gear), rifle marksmanship, a raft paddle, 12' wall climb, and weapon handling skills. This year's weapons events were held the evening prior to the course navigation phase.
In 2011, Company B3 from USMA won the competition.
Since 1994, when RMA Sandhurst began competing, either a Sandhurst squad or a RMCC squad has won every competition until 2011 when Company B-3 from West Point won.
2011 - USCC B-3
2010 - Sandhurst A
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
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
that first began in 1967 with the presentation of a British officer's sword to the United States Corps of Cadets by the British Exchange Officer. Last year's event, dubbed SANCOM10 (SANdhurst COMpetition 2010), was a two-day event conducted at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The 2009 competition featured a record 49 teams and nearly 500 competitors. Besides the 32 squads from each of the West Point companies, visiting service academy teams included the Naval
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
and Air Force
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
Academies, Britain's
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS)
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
teams "Red" and "Blue", Canada's
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Royal Military College (RMC)
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
, the National Military Academy of Afghanistan
National Military Academy of Afghanistan
The National Military Academy of Afghanistan is an academic institution of the Afghan military that is located in Kabul, Afghanistan. It is a four-year military development institution dedicated to graduating officers for the Afghan National Army and the Afghan Air Force...
, and the Chilean Military School. This year saw eight ROTC squads: Texas A&M
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, BYU
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
, East Carolina University
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
, Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, Florida Tech
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, is an independent private technical research university located in Melbourne, Florida, United States. Founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, the institute has been known by its present name since 1966. Florida Tech's curriculum...
, Georgetown
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
, and Appalachian State
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system...
.
History
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
(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: Varsity Athletic participation, Intramural sports performance, 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 "shoot, move, and communicate", stressing teamwork among the classes as a fundamental and essential element in the competition. Thus the competition was 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 have 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 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. 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.
The competition today
In 2011, Company B3 from USMA won the competition.
Winning squad
2011 - USCC B-3
2010 - Sandhurst A
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
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
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
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...