Although Intelligence Corps soldiers and officers are cross trained in a number of different specialisations, which includes work with Government Agencies and Defence Staff, there remains always the requirement to be soldiers first.

The Intelligence Corps recognises the importance of maintaining exceptionally high standards in military skills and members regularly compete in the most arduous of tests. Exercise Cambrian Patrol is one such test where the very best personnel are selected to represent their Unit in an extremely challenging Patrol-based competition.

Set in the mountainous terrain of South Wales a Patrol of eight personnel are expected to cover a distance of up to 60km within a 48-hour period. The Patrol must infiltrate into enemy territory where they are to conduct close-target reconnaissance missions, river crossings and minefield breaches, whilst maintaining communication links at all times.

Hunter groups are deployed to search for and detain Patrol personnel. The performance of each Patrol is assessed over the complete duration of the Exercise, from preparation and delivery of orders for the infiltration and execution of mission, to extraction and delivery of patrol reports. Of the 100 or so Teams who compete in this annual competition, a large number fail to complete.

Those Patrols who complete successful extraction are awarded either a certificate of merit, Bronze, Silver or Gold level award. Together with just a handful of other top-performing Teams from across the British Army, the Intelligence Corps Team were recently presented the coveted Gold Level Award.