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ARMY ADVENTUROUS TRAINING CENTRE (AATC)
AATC - RSM & Trg Officer
FOREWORD
This has been another fun-filled year for the AATC, with numerous external factors affecting the delivery of AT, from Travel and Subsistence (T&S) restrictions to Ops taking over delivery locations. All our Wings have managed to deliver a full programme of courses throughout the year, and you can read about their experiences in the articles that follow.
JOINT SERVICE ADVENTUROUS TRAINING WING CYPRUS (JSATWC) SSgt (SSI) E Roberts RAPTC
2023 has been a productive year at JSATWC, which is AATC’s largest, and most complex Wing, with a max course capacity per week of 50 students. JSATW(C) is also directed to support 58 expeditions in TY 24/25 (6 x para, 12 x sub- aqua, 32 x sail & 8 x canoeing / kayaking).
The Land Activity Branch (LAB) which has 3 x RAPTC ATIs has added two new courses in the past year, Mountain Bike Leader Training and Sea Kayak Intermediate. As a result, LAB now
JSATWC - Students attending O2F course
deliver eight separate courses across six disciplines, adding variety to an instructor’s delivery programme.
The inclusion of these qualifications allows Cyprus-based personnel access to progress from foundation to leader level courses across the full spectrum of disciplines delivered at JSATWC. Furthermore, the Island provides the perfect setting for student learning, the mountains around Troodos and Macheras offer top quality mountain biking, whilst warm seas and spectacular coastlines create an unforgettable paddling experience.
The experience of living in Cyprus is something myself and my family have embraced. The combination of warm weather, glorious beaches, adventure and a close-knit community has created an excellent work/life balance. It is certainly a highlight of my career so far.
ARMY ADVENTUROUS TRAINING WING INVERNESS (AATWI)
WO2 (QMSI) J Mclellan RAPTC
It has been a good year for the Army Adventurous Training Wing Inverness, the Wing said its fond farewell to Capt (MAA) Kel Noteyoung and welcomed in his successor Capt (MAA) Victoria Blackburn. Over the last 12 months, the
team has delivered circa 230 AT courses, across the breadth of Scotland, enduring all weather conditions. The summer and winter mountaineering courses remained a big hit, but the most recent evolution of the ‘10-day Foundation Plus Course’ received significant praise. The rationale behind this new format is to provide service personnel with a richer experience during their time in Inverness and to allow the opportunity to explore more of the Scottish Highlands.
The foundation plus course is a standard 5-day foundation course, closely followed by a three-day led expedition. Students may find themselves paddling the beautiful Lochs from Fort William to Inverness (including Loch Ness), navigating the River Spey or crossing the length and breadth of the Cairngorms and NW highlands, enjoying its magnificent views from start to finish.
The AATW (I) is the only AT Wing that offers this unique opportunity for students to consolidate the skills and lessons learnt in arguably one of the most scenic and beautiful locations in the world.
Outside of delivery, the Wing’s accomplishments are just as vast and this year was no different as the team tackled the Badger’s Divide; a 210-mile MTB journey from Glasgow to Inverness which uses the basis of the An Turas Mór route, alongside the West Highland and Great Glen Ways, with epic mountain passes, forested trails, lochs and river crossings.
ARMY ADVENTUROUS TRAINING WING BRECON (AATWB)
Capt (MAA) R McKenzie RAPTC
Having been in the role of OC, Army AT Wing Brecon, for nearly a year, I initially turned up thinking ‘Adventurous Training,
JSATWC - Students attending RSF course
AATWI –w Start of the Badger Divide ride