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This is my first article for MBS since completing the RAPTC Instructors course in Jun 23, and I find myself amidst a whirlwind of transformations and triumphs within our unit, transitioning from the old 170 Infrastructure Support Engineer Group to the newly rebranded Engineer Works Groups and 43 HQ & Sp Sqn. With this transition, new challenges and opportunities have presented themselves, shaping this unit in unexpected ways, but for the better.
One significant change comes in the form of our Gymnasium staff structure, with the change of both SSgt (SSI) Rich Harrison to SSgt (SSI) John Palmer and Sgt (SI) Tom Carlin to now myself.
Amidst the high-tempo of deployments, workloads and training, we’ve had the privilege of attending numerous sporting events, each serving as a testament to the fitness and adaptability of the RE. One such event that stands out is the Midlands Festival of Sports, where RE Works Groups showcased their prowess and emerged triumphant, clinching the top spot in the Masters category for British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF). Among our myriad of activities and accomplishments, it’s worth noting the role we’ve played as hosts, welcoming various events throughout the year. Another standout occasion was our hosting of a race from the Midlands Cross Country League, where our very own RE Works Groups Capt M Garrard made a
Sgt (SI) H Upton RAPTC
ROYAL ENGINEERS WORKS GROUPS
lasting mark, clinching first place in the senior male category for this race, and also securing first place across several other races within the league.
In addition to our successes on the sports front, we’ve also witnessed remarkable transformations within our infrastructure. The overhaul of our strength and conditioning gym, once a rarely used badminton court, is a testament to this
unit’s adaptability and the RAPTC’s commitment to providing state-of-the- art facilities for our personnel. This transformation has not only enhanced our training capabilities but is also now home to the RE Works Groups and 43 HQ & Sp Sqn BAWF Teams, who use the gym frequently to train as a team and prepare for events.
Amongst these changes, one initiative that has garnered significant excitement is the introduction of the Fittest Sapper competition, aimed at replicating the legendary 300 Club, but now based on the Soldier Conditioning Review (SCR). This competition serves as a testament to the Armed Forces tradition of excellence, challenging each member to push their limits and strive for peak physical fitness.
Although RE Works Groups may have had a few changes, one thing that still remains consistent is the very high deployment and readiness of the teams within the units. RE Works Groups and 43 HQ & Sp Sqn are renowned for their deployability and readiness, which is apparent in their participation in numerous Operations such as Op VENTUS, Op TANGHAM, Op ORBITAL, Op KIPION, Op RETRACK, amongst others. The specialist nature of trades contained within this unit contribute significantly to their versatility and effectiveness in various environments, including East Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East and the Caribbean. The RE Works Groups specialised trades not only make them a valuable benefit to the Armed Forces at home, but also an indispensable asset in military operations worldwide.
The new Strength and Conditioning Suite
SSgt (SSI) Palmer and Sgt (SI) Upton