BY DI SNEDDON
Every march out parade at the Australian School of Infantry is significant but last Friday’s event stood out.
It coincided with the Australian Infantry Corp Conference and a rare exhibition of Victoria Cross medals on display at the Infantry Museum.
Not only were the trophy winners given the privilege of holding the Victoria Cross medals last Thursday, but they were also presented with their platoon badges at the march out parade on Friday by the Commanding Officer of the Regiment they have been appointed to.
To say those five soldiers were nervous is an understatement.
They knew it was a privilege to hold the medals and admired the achievements of the soldiers who earned them.
Commanding Officer of the Australian School of Infantry, Lt. Col Jarrod Brook spoke proudly at the march out parade witnessed by the entourage of military dignitaries in Singleton for the Corp Conference.
He said the gruelling training the platoon members had endured over the past 16 weeks gave them the right to wear the Skippy Badge.
“You have endured a long, hard road, emotionally and physically and have proven you have the resilience to join the ranks,” Lt Col Brook said.
Australian Army Major General Chris Field also addressed the march out, thanking Kapyong Platoon for everything they do for Australia.
“Duty First,” he concluded.
Delta Section took out both the Chief Instructor’s Trophy for the Champion Section and the Robinson Trophy for best section on Exercise Hard Corps.
The trophy for best physical training was awarded to Private Finlay Craze.
The Prize for Skill at Arms was awarded to Private Brendan Mills.
The Prize for the most outstanding soldier was awarded to Private Fraser Stone.
