We are only a month away from the beginning of one of the most unique and highly anticipated shooting events of the year – the Light Infantry competition! This year's edition, organized as usual by Klub Strzelących Inaczej, will once again take place near the Podwórze Koguta shooting range in Zielnów (Pomeranian Voivodeship). Participants in the "Lighter Infantry" category will face a challenge of around 15 hours on July 11-12, while those competing in the most demanding formulas - "Light Infantry" and the completely new category this year, "Light Infantry MILSIM" - will start their competition on July 18 and will have to cope with around 36 hours of uninterrupted activity and surprises thrown their way by the organizers.
Light Infantry is a unique initiative aimed at shooters with a tactical flair, for whom a regular Sunday visit to a shooting range is definitely not enough. Since 2016, the competition has tested the full spectrum of shooting and shooting-related skills. Competitors, operating in two-man teams, must cover a route of several dozen kilometers on foot, fully equipped, navigating independently between checkpoints scattered throughout the area and regularly returning to the shooting range in designated time windows to be able to complete extensive shooting tasks prepared by the organizers.
The competition is not only about time – participants are put to the test requiring excellent cooperation, fitness and physical endurance. These are the aspects that are crucial during long-term field operations and shooting in conditions of severe fatigue. Every year, the organizers surprise competitors with new scenarios – and completing them is not possible without knowledge and competence in the field of navigation, radio communication, TCCC, encryption, sappering, drone operation, kayaking or many other areas. Knowledge of the modern battlefield and military equipment can be an invaluable asset.
In this year's edition, participants will face around 24/30 shooting tracks (depending on the category), and the theater of operations has been expanded to 80 km². There will also be new tasks, some with a modified scoring system - their descriptions are available at the organizer's profile on the X service.
July is shaping up to be really hot! The entry lists have been filled out long ago – as many as 180 two-man teams from Poland and abroad will take part in the competition. One of the most frequently asked questions is: "How much ammunition should I take?" The organizers answer with a characteristic sarcasm: "As much as you are prepared to shoot. If you run out of it during the operation – don't count on help."
A picture says more than a thousand words - that's why we encourage you to take a look at the photo reports and videos from the previous edition of the Light Infantry, which you can find on our website:
Light Infantry X (2024) - photo report (categories: Lighter and Light Infantry)
Light Infantry X (2024) - photo report (category: Light Infantry)