Admiral Pitka Recon Challenge: Is this the world's toughest reconnaissance test?

Three British Army teams have been competing against Nato's finest in Estonia in what the host nation calls the toughest reconnaissance challenge on the planet.

It's the Admiral Pitka Recon Challenge 2024, where just completing the event is a huge achievement.

Each year, competitors face a brutal test of endurance, attempting to cover nearly 100 miles over three days while running the gauntlet of a series of painful and random challenges.

#bfbsforcesnews #nato #challenge #military #britisharmy

[metyyl]

I think the reason Estonians won is that this type of challenge is part of everyday trainings. When i was in military 20 years ago (conscript) we had to do similar thing after 6 moths of starting. It was about 50km in february (about -10 and snowing) in 24h with only ~6h of daylight. The biggest difficulty is keeping your head and feet in working order (and in that order). Our military tactics emphasize light infantry and guerilla warfare which means every soldier should be able to do this type of marches and challenges. If you do this for the first time and dont really know what to excpect (challenges, terrain etc) it is very easy to not finish. And for all the people here arguing that the british are not good soldiers because they didnt finish: go do a 20k mudrun without proper preparation and then think again. And to people who say "send paras or SAS", yes, absoluteley. Let them come and take the win. Competition only gets better when competitors get tougher. And to all the brits (and other NATO allies): well done, thank you for taking part!

[Danjs]

I want to see the Royal Marines, Ranger Regiment and Int corp do this next year.

[Sugarmountaincondo]

Bravo Estonia, a clean sweep. Obviously, the rest of NATO has a lot to learn from them.

[CannonmangamingYT]

Super awesome to see this kinda take of making exercised unique and making sure the lessons stick

[iare]

Strange animals? Like what? Strangest wild animal you can see in Estonia is a drunk Finn in his underwear, covered in million ticks....sleeping.

Our only venomous snake is black viper, he is harmless, never attacks first. Our biggest predator is bear. I have never seen one in wild and I live that lifestyle. There are no weird animals in here, lol.

[ivotalvik]

In estonian mandatory millitary service all 11 month junior sergeants have to complete 70-100 km final journey

[Rban]

Bare in mind that the Estonians are reservists, civilians and do this kind of stuff only during weekends. Some professionals also compete, but this is a reservist event.

[SideKickStudios]

I applaud our allies teams for taking this challenge on. Doesn't matter they didn't win, Estonians have the home turf advantage and our boys get this harsh training anyway, because we have a specific neighbour. What's important is that our allies get a valuable lesson of how hard it can be and what it takes to defend and fight in various regions and climates. It just highlights what kind of improvement needs to be taken on board to be the best among the best of fighting forces. The goal eventually is for all the allied boys to be good at surviving this challenge and offer eachother a run for the money, together we push eachother up!

[jimdoyle]

Mate of mine is ex uk military army, did 6 marathons in 6 days in the desert with full bergan at 57 yrs old and finished it, feet and toes ripped to pieces but he did it . Cmon boys you can do better

[dammitdan]

Estonians feel the Russian heat, Americans understand war but this squad was soft, French have spirit but it's of Jerry Lewis, Brits need an infusion. Of everything. Seriously lads, wtf.

[niallop]

Comparing the cambrian? Estonia is flat and they aren't carrying patrol bergans with 40+kg. Not a good excuse.

[Ytwhna]

Surely unless someone has a serious injury, you keep going and complete it even if you come last?

[PilgrimBanditsCharity]

Good luck! This looks like a tough one.

[sickbuffalo]

Standards of the British army has dropped big time.

[jimmymc]

All the UK Teams failed. Questions need to be asked about fitness and training. That is a poor show.

[rodbennett-tupw]

Sore feet after 24 hours. Mummy. Questions need answering.

[jamiesonsambarhunter]

Most of the tasks aren't recon type tasks. It's just a march with problem solving on the way. 😂

[DenisOmahoney-in]

Would do my son good Charcter building. Love to go there

[DavidRichards-zk]

I think this shows how over stretched & undermanned the British Army is, only one infantry team & two cavalry!
Although the coverage of what challenges they faced both physically & mentally at the checkpoints was poor it didn’t exactly look like a truly tough competition, there didn’t appear to be any night marches across rough terrain carrying heavy loads, battle style assault courses etc, I couldn’t see anyone with a hint of cam cream on, no bogging combats & guys that looked truly washed out with that look an there eyes all seemed to be pretty shiny clean.
Doesn’t seem to be on the same level as say the Cambrian Patrol competition.

[blueredblue]

5 Rifles piled in on a egg and spoon race against reservists, they have good beards tho