The ‘Ghorkana Cup’ 2010
The Ghorkana Cup was started in 2009 and consists of a 20 mile tab in 15kg of kit concluded by a shoot at 200m in accordance with a current practice on the yearly shooting test every soldier must complete. This year, the team that carried the Baton throughout consisted of Major Andy Tyler, Officer Commanding (and closet racing snake), LCpl Michelle Gibbs and WO2 (CSM) Paul Merchant.
The course was over ‘slightly undulating’ terrain (!!!!!) in / around & on the south coast of Dorset between Chickerell Camp in Weymouth, up to Abbotsbury to the West & back again. The team completed the course in a respectable time of roughly 7 hours (average age roughly 38 years old) and were above average on the shoot at the end.
Ghorkana is a company that supplies senior members of all Ministries (including MoD) with media contacts who are able to portray specific events accurately on behalf of that Ministry Department (ie – Senior Defence Chiefs for example – so pertinent to the current media frenzy & reporting of events in theatre).
CONNECTION
“4 Military Intelligence Battalion (4MI) are the SME on theatre and we provide all of the deploying Brigades roulementing through theatre with continuous ‘decision support’ to the Commanders and their staff. As at Sep 10, the Battalion will have 83 members (out of roughly 300) deployed in theatre, including support right down at Infantry Company level (at the sharp end). This is a clear indication of the appetite for what we provide and acknowledges that we are very much in demand more now than ever before.
Our Corps is now at the forefront of all decision making processes & most of us have high levels of experience of theatre. We have not managed to escape the horror of losing comrades & friends, like all of our brothers in arms and although we are more towards the front end now than we have ever been, we are proud to be there, giving strength to the arm whilst also advising the politico to help with their decision making processes.
For us, the Baton represents our very ethos. It does not need to be a shining beacon or surrounded in hype. Like us, it has a simple purpose, to ensure that something is never forgotten and that the message remains clear and unchanged.
It provides confidence, assurance and above all, humility and 4 MI Battalion are proud to be connected with such an honourable campaign.”
WO2 (CSM) Paul Merchant
