The military shooting competition was held in Marche-en-Famenne from Tuesday 26 to Thursday 28 March. Five complex shooting courses would separate the wheat from the chaff during this three-day competition. The weapons were oiled, the ammunition loaded and the mindset on edge.
The RMA shooting team delegated a student team of ladies, men and staff to compete against the 150 best shooters in Defence. The intensive coaching by instructor, first Sergeant Major Adriaensen, and coach, Commander Weckx, clearly provided a boost, as the results showed.
Student Adjutant Versin took bronze in the ladies' individual event. Women's gold went to first Sergeant Major Lesley Peeters (School of Military Engineering) who was also trained by our coaches. Commander Weckx also won bronze in the men's individual event despite a technical failure.
Several of our students scored admirably high compared to the professionals. Student Adjutant Chandelon even finished 13th in the overall ranking. So there is definitely potential in the new generation of our shooting team.
In the team rankings for large units, our staff team led by example with a brilliant 3rd place. First Sergeant Van Doornen, first Sergeant Major Adriaensen, Adjutant Pollenus and coach Weckx are already looking forward to next year, when - without technical failure - they will return to the Royal Military Academy with gold again!