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Long Term Goal – Tick. It is an absolute privilege and honour to assume the role of SO2 Defence Rehabilitation
and more importantly, Head of the Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI) Cadre from the very capable hands of Maj (MAA) Steve Chappell RAPTC. Managing the Cadre is a role I have aspired towards since qualifying in 2007, and I aim to support our people whilst modernising the services provided to Defence.
Upon joining the team, the Defence Directorate of Rehabilitation (DDR) was disbanded with members of the team integrated within HQ DPHC. This new structure ensures there is 1* rehab representation within Primary & Secondary Care whilst providing greater access to HQ DPHC resources. In its infancy but certainly a step in the right direction.
An interesting work strand has been the Future Operating Model for the ERI role that acknowledges Human Augmentation and the greater cognitive demand this may place upon our soldiers whilst exploring the utility of Artificial Intelligence to enhance the return to full fitness. The constant was the need for the ERI Forward to support the Expeditionary Force. The latter is not a new concept but empirical evidence from previous campaigns has demonstrated that we can maximise the available Force when forwards supporting the near battle whilst simultaneously providing Firm base care as & when required. A future concepts
Maj (MAA) Suffield and WO1 (SMI) Hughes – Regional Study Period Cyprus
Maj (MAA) C Suffield RAPTC delivering a presentation at the 6th ICSPP
Maj (MAA) C Suffield RAPTC
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REHABILITATION
HEADQUARTERS DEFENCE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE
paper but an exciting evolution of the ERI that may become more interoperable to support Defence, not just single Service, Operational demands.
On a personal level, I delivered a presentation at the 6th International Congress of Soldier Physical Performance (ICSPP) on the ‘RAPTC, its past, present, and future.’ The interest from the international community was incredible with plenty of questions about our esteemed history and critical support to maximise Human Advantage now and in the future.
WO1 (SMI) R Hughes RAPTC
It has been a demanding yet fulfilling year within my role as Warrant Officer
WO1 (SMI) Hughes European Masters Games
Rehabilitation. This role is embedded in the Primary Medical Care pillar within the 1* formation of Headquarters Defence Primary Healthcare. This will be my final post as a soldier before I commission into the RAPTC. Over the last year I have worked with some incredible people such as Maj (MAA) Steve Chappell, the new Head of Cadre Maj (MAA) Colin Suffield and WO Max Martin RAF. I will be handing over to WO1 (SMI) Ben Leach in the coming months who is making the move from the Joint Service School of Exercise Rehabilitation Instructors, Stanford Hall.
The last 12 months have been an amazing journey with driving the ERI Cadre into the 21st century. It has seen the development of the new mentorship and supervision framework formally known as the Post Graduate Mentorship Programme into the Individual Development Programme (IDP). The IDP will develop and enhance ERI knowledge, skills application, experience, and behaviours taught on the course, whilst transitioning through the RAPTC career roadmap. The ERI digital eLog book and toolbox has been implemented this year; designed to support the ERIs whilst in their roles. I took the opportunity within the Regional Study Periods to provide ERI Cadre updates to all ERIs and these received positive feedback.
Aside from work, I represented the British Army at the European Masters Games competing in athletics. I won 2 gold medals in the 3000m steeplechase and the half marathon.
I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead as I move into my new role as a full-time student studying an MSc on the RAPTC’s Higher Education Pathway.