Sandhurst Competition
The Sandhurst Competition: What is it all about?
The Sandhurst Military Skills Competition is an annual event held at USMA in West Point, New York, bringing together teams from military academies worldwide to compete in rigorous military tasks that test endurance, teamwork, and technical skills.
The competition traces its origins back to 1967 when the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst presented USMA with a British officer’s sword to serve as a prize for a military excellence competition. Since then, Sandhurst has evolved into a premier international contest of military proficiency.
The Sandhurst Military Skills Competition challenges participants' physical endurance, tactical skills, and team spirit. Teams cover approximately 30 miles (about 48 kilometres) carrying a backpack weighing at least 15 kg, while facing a series of demanding events. The competition is renowned for its intensive 36-hour course, during which teams compete in 15 military events.
Although some specific events may vary from one year to another, the typical challenges are the following:
1
1. Marne Obstacle Course: A demanding course featuring various physical challenges that test agility, strength, and endurance.
2
2. Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC): Simulated medical scenarios under combat conditions, evaluating first aid skills and decision-making under pressure.
3
3. Day and Night Land Navigation: Navigating through unfamiliar terrain using maps and compasses, testing orientation skills in varying conditions.
4
4. Precision Marksmanship (M4 and M17): Assessing accuracy and weapon handling under pressure with rifles and pistols.
5
5. 12-Foot Wall Climb: A physical challenge requiring strength and teamwork to scale a high barrier.
6
6. Rappelling: Descending vertical structures using ropes, demonstrating confidence and technical skill.
7
7. One-Rope Bridge Construction and Crossing: Teams construct and cross a single-rope bridge over obstacles, testing engineering skills and teamwork.
8
8. Combat Swim in Full Gear: Swimming challenge conducted in full gear, assessing water survival skills and physical stamina.
9
9. CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Response: Simulated scenarios involving hazardous materials, testing teams' reaction and preparedness.
10
10. The Crucible: A comprehensive test combining multiple military skills under stressful conditions to evaluate overall competence and resilience.
11
11. Call for Fire: Coordinating and directing simulated artillery support, testing communication and precision.
12
12. Weapon Handling and Assembly: Tasks that assess the safe and effective use of various military weapons.
13
13. Zodiac Raft Movement: Teams navigate water obstacles with rafts, including portage sections, emphasizing coordination and endurance.
14
14. Functional Fitness Test: Series of exercises designed to test strength, endurance, and resilience.
15
15. Tactical Communications: Exercises that assess the ability to effectively communicate in operational scenarios.
This friendly but fierce competition pushes teams to display strong leadership, resilience, and adaptability, and to strive for excellence in terms of stamina and tactical skills while reinforcing cohesion.
The competition is scored based on the successful completion of each event and the time taken to finish the overall course.
Since 1986, each MilSkills team has consisted of an 11-member squad, including at least two female members, along with two alternates. A third alternate member was added in recent years. These teams are tasked with completing a series of physically and mentally demanding military challenges under strict time constraints.
- Date modified: