Units battle it out in fitness competitions for a shot at the 3rd Brigade’s Commander’s cup

For 3rd Brigade, a touch of in house rivalry is always a good thing as soldiers battled it out for the ultimate bragging rights in the Commander’s cup. See how the fittest from each unit compared.

Australian Army soldiers from 3rd Brigade compete in the rope climb as part of the annual 3rd. PHOTO: CPL Jack Pearce

There’s nothing like a bit of healthy competition to bring out a soldier’s best performance, so when the annual commander’s cup rolls around units from the 3rd Brigade gear up to gain the ultimate bragging rights through strength, power and endurance challenges.

The 3rd Brigades Commander’s cup tests soldiers in four different events; military skills, fitness competition, tug of war and cross country.

Deputy Commander Colonel Boniface Aruma said that it was the perfect time of year for these events after coming out of a busy six months of exercises and training.

“You don’t often get opportunities like this to bring the brigade together and to cheer for their team and in such occasions to really good, not just for individual unit morale but for overall for the brigade as a whole,” he said.

“It keeps the competitive spirit burning.”

An Australian Army officer from 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducts a rope climb as part of the annual 3rd Brigade Fitness competition at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. PHOTO: CPL Jack Pearce

After the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) took out overall winner in the military skills, other battalions and regiments were ready to battle it out for a spot on the podium in last week’s fitness competition and tug of war.

The fitness competition was split into three sections with nine teams sweating it out through 100kg stretcher carries, rope climbs and synchronised burpees.

An Australian Army soldier from 5th Aviation Regiment competes in the annual 3rd Brigade Fitness competition at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. PHOTO: CPL Jack Pearce

After the completion of the final knockout round the 2nd Cavalry regiment and the 5th Aviation regiment were the final teams left standing with the decider coming down to a 120kg sled push and pull.

While the 2nd Cavalry regiment’s strength was too good to beat on the mat, 5th Aviation regiment pulled ahead on points and went out to claim the competition.

“It’s good because they come from outside of 3rd Brigade they make it more competitive and I think each year we should look at getting other external units to come in and give it a go,” Deputy Commander Boniface Aruma said.

However, 2 Cav weren’t going out without a competition win and proved themselves the strongest on the rope, beating out the 4th Artillery regiment in tug of war to hold the trophy high.

Australian Army soldiers from 5th Aviation Regiment receive the award for "Winning" the annual 3rd Brigade Fitness competition at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. *** Local Caption. PHOTO: CPL Jack Pearce

The cross country will be held on Friday with soldiers hitting the track for the final chance to boost points for their unit.

Originally published as Units battle it out in fitness competitions for a shot at the 3rd Brigade’s Commander’s cup