Page 128 - RAPTC 23/24

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1 ROYAL SCHOOL OF MILITARY ENGINEERING REGIMENT
With 1 RSME hosting the Sapper Games 2023 (the largest multi- sport, sporting event in the armed forces), the focus for the first quarter was to ensure the successful delivery of the event. WO2 (QMSI) Blake RAPTC (1 RSME QMSI PD) was the lead with delivering 24 sports across 15 locations, spread over 3 days for 30 competing units. The planning process took 9 months, outsourcing officials, visiting various locations, attending multiple meetings weekly and spending many hours on the phone and sending emails.
On the 3 July 2023, over 3000 Service Personnel (SP) descended on Chatham Station. Aside from the sports, every evening had entertainment planned, including an opening ceremony, with fire breathers, military bands and ladies on stilts. Through the week, we saw over 5000 SP filtered through Chatham Station, supporting, and taking part in a range of sports from Golf to Go-Karting, to Netball and Sailing. After a week of some questionable dance moves (evening entertainment) and some fierce competition, 1 RSME emerged as the winners.
After a well-earned Summer stand down, the pace at 1 RSME did not slow, with planning for the Regimental Boxing Night in Nov 23 becoming the new priority and led by Cpl Scotty Wheadon, 1 RSME Gym 2IC. The evening saw 12 Novice bouts streamed live on YouTube. As described by CO 1 RSME, Lt Col G Cheesman RE, “Another fantastic and meticulously delivered event by 1 RSME Gym Team”. Over the coming months 1 RSME saw several changes of personnel in the PD department, notably Cpl Nathan Sanderson and Cpl Dean McQuade moving on, and Cpl Scotty Wheadon and Cpl Sam Venn starting the RAPTC Instructor Course.
WO2 (QMSI) R Blake RAPTC
1 RSME QMSI PD, WO2 (QMSI) Blake RAPTC and CO 1 RSME Lt Col Guy Cheesman RE lifting the Sapper Games Winner’s Shield
With a big final push to the year, in January 2024, 1 RSME finally got the RAPTC OR6 (Sgt) post that QMSI Blake had grappled with for several months. Sgt (SI) Willis RAPTC was the first incomer of the role having recently complete a two-year post at RMAS (Sandhurst). Sgt (SI) Willis’s impact was instant, blending seamlessly into the team and making necessary improvements; he has a promising future no doubt.
In March 2024 the PD team delivered a Unit Health Fair (UHF), the largest of the two hosted annually. 1 RSME have a great relationship with the local
council, who provide the majority of stands from Medway Health. The PD team also delivered the annual Amhurst 5 competition, a 5-mile route around the historic Fort Amhurst, carrying several burdens, including, logs, stretchers, tyres and ammo tins. The Team finished off by delivering what was described as “the best Corps finals ever”, with the RE Boxing Championships taking place at Chatham station from 18 – 21 March 2024; this competition is one of 3 blue-ribbon events in the RE calendar. 1 RSME dominated the competition from start to finish, retaining the trophy for the second consecutive year.
LCpl Gurung briefing the team captains at the Amhurst 5
1 RSME Gym Staff at the RE Boxing Championships Final. (Left to Right: Cpl Herbert, LCpl Barnes, Cpl Payne, WO2 (QMSI) Blake RAPTC, LCpl Russo, Sgt (SI) Willis RAPTC, Cpl McQuade, LCpl Gurung, Cpl Crompton, Cpl Venn)