AS The Chronicle hit the streets last week reporters Hannah Mlatem and Gemma Ball found themselves away from the comfort of their office and faced with the prospect of scaling a 10 ft wall, shooting rifles and being plunged feet first into the ice cold river Usk as they had bravely or maybe stupidly volunteered to spend a day with the Army at Cwrt-y-Gollen, Crickhowell.

In this eyewitness report the two intrepid reporters provide their very different views of their experience. The story begins as Gemma Ball, now known as GI Ball gives a first-hand account of her day.

"LAST Thursday I found myself sitting in a training room at Cwrt-y-Gollen Army camp being briefed by Captain Sion James of the Queens Dragoon Guards after being forced by my colleague Hannah Mlatem to take part in an Army challenge. 

Palms sweating, and still thinking of a way out, I learned the day would consist of an assault course and a river plunge. Having not done any form of exercise since leaving school ten years ago, I was a little worried. 

As it was my partly responsibility for us being there, there was no way out and I have to admit that after being kited out in our army camouflage and a handed rubber riffle my attitude changed and I knew I could do it.

For our first obstacle, our team, consisting of members of the press, managed to get across a 'river' using two planks of wood and a few barrels rather successfully and feebly get our food supplies over a trench using just a rope and a crate. A pulley was supplied but we didn't see the need to use it.

Next stop was a run into the trees where we were ordered to boil some water, a nice welcome break from running and a shade from the sun. Rather cruelly Captain James asked if we would have like a cup of tea, I would have loved a drink at that point, but no, we were off again running to the next stop, which became the highlight of my day - shooting targets.

I, along with Hannah, had volunteered to be snipers and we soon found ourselves crawling on our bellies to reach our guns. Once I got to grips with it, which by the way, is not easy to use for a left hander like me, I was away. Shouts of, "Well done Gemma," spurred me on, as I lay flat out shooting a gun - quite surreal. 

My biggest dread came next - the assault course. 

As I was probably the weakest in my team, it was decided that I would be last to go over a ten-foot wall.  It would be just a case of pulling me over it - simple. Not quite. It was the hardest thing I had to do during the day and being suspended by both wrists by two team mates was agonising. I really didn't think I would get over it and I was ready to walk away but with encouragement from my team, especially Hannah, who although I couldn't see her I could hear shouting, "Come on Gemma,"  I got finally over the wall.

This took all my energy and will so the end of the course was a welcome sight, but determination drove me on and I completed it. 

After the refreshing jump in the river and a run back to the start, the course was complete. 

Although in stark opposition to Hannah's obvious excitement I was nervous right up until we were running to our last obstacle, it was one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable days which I might possibly do again."

Chronicle reporter Hannah Mlatem, now known as Snipey, now takes up the story...

"SO my colleague Gemma looks out of the window longingly at a Chinook helicopter.

"I'd love to ride in one." I've heard this before. Gemma has often recalled how, as a youngster she sat in her Brynmawr home looking at the passing choppers and waving.

With this in mind I contact the Army press office and politely ask - any chance we can ride in a Chinook and write about our experience?

Nothing. About to lose hope we finally hear from the lovely Sian who says that although a Chinook is out of the questions there is an assault course experience we could try and tackle.

"Brilliant," I excitedly shout to my colleague, "Gem, we're going for a day with the army - they're going to put us through our paces."

Her face fell.

Several weeks later myself and the ungrateful colleague are on our way to Cwrt-y-Gollen ready to face the unknown. I was like a bottle of pop and raring to go but poor Gemma was having second - and third thoughts.

"My family laughed when I told them. I'm nervous," she pleaded as we pulled into the car park of the camp.

We met Captain Sion James, we ordered to "charge our cups" of tea before settling down for a pre-challenge prep talk.

'Not very fluffy,' is how Captain James described what was ahead of us.

Following the briefing and slideshow we were kited out in Army gear - complete with a solid, rubber rifle.

Feeling the part we were sent to begin our course. "Team four!" yelled one of the soldiers, "Move, move, move."

Our first task was to get across a 'river' using oil drums and two planks of wood. We argued and decided the best way forward - got it wrong once or twice - then made it! We had to run to our next task, making a pulley system to transport urgent supplies across a collapsed bridge. We nailed it.

Another long run carrying our heavy guns and we thought we were in for a nice cup of Army tea. We made our own fires, boiled the water then a sniper came out of the woods shrouded in leaves and screamed at us to run - we were being attacked and my longing for a cuppa had soon vanished.

We ran to a shooting range, crawled on all fours and with our spotters, both began shooting targets hundreds of yards away.

Our third team member took a while to get to grips with his sniper but Chronicle reporters are made of sterner stuff and were soon revealed to be eagle eyed sure shots.

I gained the nickname 'Snipey' and Gemma, a left hander using a right handed riffle, was being congratulated all the way to the assault course - another run away.

Totally out of steam we faced a 10 ft wall, fences and a huge metal structure with no safety net. After completing the course we plunged into the river Usk to finish."

Finally after a hot shower and de-briefing we proudly collected our certificates and joint third place prize and settled down for a box of Army rations.

Although there was no sign of a Chinook both reporters dishevelled, wet and tired thoroughly loved every gruelling minute of our day with the Army. Maybe next time we will experience the thrill of riding in Gemma's dream chopper.