An Cosantóir May / June 2026 www.military.ie/magazine
T
he Sullivan Cup is legendary within the
global armoured warfare community.
Held at Fort Benning, Georgia, this
biennial competition is designed to push
the world's finest tank and Bradley crews to
their absolute physical and mental limits.
Traditionally a showcase of the best armour
crews of the United States military, the
competition tests everything from soldiering
skills to lethal gunnery.
For the crew representing the Defence Forces
Cavalry Corps, entering this arena wasn't just about
competing; it was about validating Irish training on
the global stage. It is proving that what we teach
in this organisation holds up internationally. It was
about confronting a completely unfamiliar platform
and matching our skills and knowledge with crews
who live and breathe armour daily.
Laying the Foundation
The expression of interest was answered, and the
Cavalry School selected its team of five consisting
of Lt Colm Meade, Sgt Shane Molloy, Tpr Tristan
Regan, Lt Sean Dempsey and Sgt Thomas Conlon.
The group knew that to survive the Sullivan Cup,
their fundamental soldiering skills had to be
second nature. The training regime in the DFTC was
relentless, focusing heavily on peak physical fitness,
medical, Call for Fire, AFV recognition and pistol
marksmanship.
Medical training was provided by the exceptional
staff of the Central Medical Unit (CMU) with the team
undergoing Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)
drills, ensuring they could apply tourniquets, pack
wounds, and manage airways under extreme duress.
4 |
DF SUCCESS AT DF SUCCESS AT
THE SULLIVAN CUP THE SULLIVAN CUP
ARTICLE BY LT COLM MEADE – 1ACS
