CORPS 75TH ANNIVERSARY EXPEDITION 2017
The major event planned for the 75th Anniversary of the Corps in 2017 will be DIAMOND ROCK, a global expedition involving travelling from Mt McKinley, through Alaska, the USA, Central and South America to Mt Aconcagua, by foot and mountain bike, alongside a sailing task, taken over a 12-month period. Aimed at serving Corps personnel, it will test those who volunteer to the extreme.
Looking at the undertaking, participants will need to focus on the skills and qualities that they will bring to the expedition. This will be no ‘walk in the park’, no small jaunt around the globe and no routine safety provision will be present at any time. Participants will survive by their wits and the character traits that the RAF Regt is known for: Resilience, moral courage, determination, unselfishness, tolerance and enthusiasm to name but a few.
Ocean sailing is one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other. In October 2017, Exercise DIAMOND ROCK will embark on an 18,000 nautical mile, six-month adventure crossing the North and South Atlantic in a 72-foot ocean racing yacht. Divided into six individual legs, each lasting between three to four weeks, this lifetime opportunity will test resilience, courage and determination. The sea does not distinguish between ocean racing veterans or novices. There is nowhere to hide – if Mother Nature throws down the gauntlet, participants must all be ready to face the same challenges. Battle the winds to the Canaries, navigate the Doldrums en route to South America, endure epic Southern Ocean storms, experience South African sunsets, enjoy the crystal waters of the Caribbean or face the mountainous seas of the North Atlantic – the choice is wide open. Training for the sailing expedition will be provided by the Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre (JSASTC) in Gosport and priority at the Centre will be afforded to those who are selected to take part. For those of you who already hold sailing qualifications, then there will be plenty of opportunity to advance them. The yacht skippers for each leg will be provided by JSASTC as will state-of-the-art extreme clothing and equipment. All that is required of you is to volunteer, select a leg, undertake training and rise to the challenge.
Volunteering to take part in either element of the Expedition means focusing mind and body on preparation and training. Despite being still two years away, volunteers will need to start soon utilising Adventurous Training courses provided by the military as well as generating an exceptional degree of self motivation. An inability to commit to this with current experience, skill sets and determination may mean that the expedition is not for you. Further details may be found on the MON Intranet/Dii (accessible to serving personnel only); on-line registration should be made no later than 15 May 15, to allow provisional Team selection in Jun 15. While participation by veteran members was intended originally, the funding and other considerations proved impossible to overcome.
The relevant webpages, application form etc are at: http://defenceintranet.diif.r.mil.uk/Organisations/Orgs/RAF/Organisations/Locations/Honington/RAFRegt75ExDiamondRock/Pages/default.aspx
The Expedition Poster – for further dissemination – is at:
[CPeN 354]