Sandhurst Military Skills Competition

Provided by U.S. Military Academy

What is it?

The Sandhurst Military Skills competition is a diverse multinational and joint service competition that attracts teams from across the globe to test physical fitness, military proficiency and leadership. The United States Military Academy delivers this world’s premier international academy military skills competition.

The Sandhurst competition started in 1967 as an internal cadet event, when the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst awarded the U.S. Military Academy with a British officer’s sword, which was intended to promote military excellence among the Corps of Cadets.

What is the Army doing/ has done?

West Point, the preeminent Leader Development institution in the world, educates, trains and inspires leaders of character to serve the nation and the Army.

This competition highlights military excellence across USMA, Cadet Command and internationally partnered academies across the globe and it:

• Highlights military skills and excellence in winning with values
• Increases stakeholder awareness of the Army’s global partnerships
• Builds relationships and camaraderie across the force and the globe
• Increases awareness of USMA character development programs

The 2018 competition, being held on April 13-14, will have 64 teams compete including fourteen international teams: United Kingdom (2), Canada, Germany, Australia, Italy, Korea, Latvia, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Columbia, Chile, and Poland.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The Unites States Military Academy at West Point will continue to lead a world class military skills competition to challenge the leadership skills, physical endurance, and intellectual capacity of the world’s future military leaders. The Sandhurst competition will continue to:

• Showcase USMA’s leadership, military proficiency, physical fitness, and character development programs.
• Advance U.S. national interest and stability through partnerships with 13 international state partners.
• Demonstrate cadet military excellence through the participation of eight ROTC regional champion teams and three sister service academies (Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard).

Why is this important to the Army?

The Sandhurst military skills competition inspires cadets to achieve military excellence in their chosen profession through a rigorous physical, mental, and leadership challenge that is reflective of combat operations in tempo and tasks. USMA supports the Army’s foremost responsibility to deliver ready, trained and equipped forces to meet the operational demands.

Resources:

• The U.S. Military Academy at West Point
• West Point Admissions
• Department of Military Instruction Sandhurst Competition
• U.S. Army Cadet Command

Related STAND-TO!:

• West Point Leader Development System
• West Point’s Character Development Strategy
• U.S. Military Academy at West Point