This August, soldiers from 156 Regiment RLC swapped their civilian jobs and Army Reserve drill nights for the mountain air of Morzine, France.
Exercise ROSE STEEL ‘25 saw 14 troops take on a six-day Adventurous Training (AT) package, packed with mountain biking, klettersteig (via ferrata), and hill walking. The aim? To get out of comfort zones, build resilience, and develop leadership and teamwork skills – things that are just as important off the hill as they are on it.
For many, the experience was unforgettable. “Being gifted the chance to finally tick Via Ferrata off my bucket list with 156 Regiment was an unforgettable experience,” said Pte Richards.
“Adventure training not only pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it also helped me grow, both mentally and physically. Each step on that rock face was a reminder of the power of challenging yourself and embracing the journey.”
While the activities were physically demanding, they also allowed soldiers to develop key military skills in a new and challenging environment.
Major Hoban explained:
“As well as the personal development and team skills in the AT activities, the exercises practised all ranks’ core skills. Privates practised driving and navigation on the alpine roads, the storeman and chef worked with an unfamiliar setup, and seniors and officers tackled planning, management, and contingency scenarios.
Afterwards, we all reviewed what went well and what we can improve for next time.”
For some, like Pte Davy, the week was a big shift from their normal routine:
“In my Monday-to-Friday job, the comfort zone is a very familiar place: routine, safe, and stable. But too much time there leads to stagnation. When the chance to go on AT came up, I jumped at it, knowing I’d be stretched -and probably end up in the panic zone!
In the end, I was more in the stretch zone than panic. It was self-doubt telling me to fight, flight, or freeze – but I managed to cope. I felt excited, a bit nervous, but inspired. With support from the team and strong leadership, I pushed through and came away more confident than ever.”
Aside from the personal growth, Ex Rose Steel ‘25 gave soldiers from different squadrons a chance to work and bond together, strengthening team spirit and reinforcing why adventurous training is such a valuable part of Army Reserve life.
The team returned to the UK fitter, more confident, and ready to bring everything they’d learned back into their squadrons and into whatever challenge comes next. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in this expedition, which has been one of the highlights of my army career. And, we are thankful for the funding from the Ulysses Trust for enabling it to happen.
