The refreshments are brief but teams have historically competed for the most novel and humourous ways to serve them, at the Worldwide competition at Sandhurst, drinks were in one instance delivered by helicopter.

It is tradition at this point that refreshments are served to the team, port for the sergeants and champagne for officers participating. He also instituted a competition between The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and The Guards Depot. This past year has seen a great deal of ceremonial activity, soldiers have rightly received worldwide admiration for the precision with which that activity has been executed. It was the first time that the competition had a non-serving team, and the first who were registered blind. 11.0 Outline of the CompetitionEach team of four consists of the following Sergeants’ Mess members: a Driver (of the rank of Colour Sergeant or Warrant Officer Class Two), Right Marker (of the rank of Lance-Sergeant or Sergeant) and two team members (of the rank of Lance-Sergeant or Sergeant). The British Army is world renowned for its prowess in putting on a show – it has no peers when it comes to pomp and ceremony as was so magnificently demonstrated during Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend. The Team Captain, who is usually the most senior in rank, provides the words of command over the course of the competition. All teams are marked on a variety of drill movements including (MOD, 2017; The Craftsman, 2017): Whilst in the original competition there were four members of each team (Frontage) and a Driver, this has since evolved to a Frontage of three and a Driver, so four in total. Reneaux (2018) reports the 90th competition in 2018, suggesting it was started in 1928. Another source, suggests that “…in 1982, began to be used by the infantry as a drill aid to determine length of pace, distance between ranks and drill movement.” (Larter & Larter, 2018). 8.0 Where Does the Competition take Place?

It may sound relatively simple but it isn’t, the greatest obstacle is uneven ground and where an error is made being able to recover swiftly, none of which is aided by having to switch hands, all done in synchronicity with their team mates. Brand created a set of rules and the drill to assure unity and precision amongst Drill Instructors. The lessons learned here are then carried out onto the wider stage, witnessed by the world at the Coronation earlier this year, and everything that came before and follows after, grand state occasions, solemn acts of Remembrance, inspections and drill. Time, teamwork and dedication are needed, to help with that serious purpose, its pioneer instituted a competition. In 2016, for the first time, a civilian team participated in the competition (Wathall, 2016). Blind Veterans UK, a charity, entered a team of three blind veterans – Kevin Alderton, Billy Baxter and Steve Birkin – led by a sighted Drum Major, WO2 Tony Taylor.Teams are drawn from across the British and foreign armed forces. Examples include (Oman MOD, 2014; The Craftsman, 2017; Forces Network, 2018; Reneaux, 2018): If you can imagine a large walking cane that is split and hinged at one end when opened out forms a triangle. The distance between the two opened ends is 30 inches (76cm) the British Army’s standard length of pace. In a standing position with boots on take the measurement from the floor to the belt line and round up to the nearest inch. Someone who is 6ft (183cm) is usually around a 41". (This is a guide).