Exercise Sharp Shooter 2025, hosted by the City Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association at the Honourable Artillery Company, City of London saw civilian teams compete in training exercises set up by London-based Reserve units. This was a great opportunity for everyone involved to see how military skills are transferable and to get a taste of the life in the Armed Forces.
The evening was kicked off by Lieutenant Colonel George Cobb VR, Commanding Officer, Honourable Artillery Company with the importance of the Reserves and why creating links between civilians and the military is essential to support the Armed Forces.
This was followed by a brief from Exercise Director Cdr Lavinia Russell, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry on how the event will run. Then, with the sound of a whistle, the competition began.
The Teams
• North East London NHS Foundation Trust
• City of London Police
• UMBRA International Group
• Reds10
• First Aid Nursing Yeomanry
• London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
The Challenge
The teams participate in military tasks set up by London-based Reserve units, the tasks were unique to the role of the Reserve unit in the Tri-service. These ranged from Laser Gun Shooting to Bomb Disposal.
Reserve Units
- HMS PRESIDENT
- 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Search)
- 71 Signal Regiment
- London Guards
- 7 Rifles
- 4th Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment
- 256 Multi-Role Medical Regiment
- 3 Military Intelligence Battalion
- 600 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- University of London Officer Training Cadets / University Royal Naval Unit
Who won?
All teams competed well and showed great enthusiasm. However, as this is a competition, there has to be a winner. The winning team and runners up received Lieutenancy silver salvers as trophies, presented this year by a Liveryman Nick Garnish of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers.
This year’s Sharp Shooter trophy went to City of London Police, a huge congratulations to them. They were followed by REDS 10 who were runners up.
We would like to thank the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry for their operational support during the evening, due to them the event ran smoothly.
We would also like to thank the Honourable Artillery Company for hosting us. We extend our thanks to Lt Cdr (retired) Liz Church, City Secretary, Greater London RFCA for organising and planning the event.
