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As I approach my final 6 months here at PCRF Dhekelia, I reflect on what has been a thoroughly enjoyable posting. I feel truly blessed to have lived in the historic and beautiful country of Cyprus, exploring all it has to offer with my family. There have been many highlights, including hiring a boat in Latchi, snorkelling with Turtles in Green Bay and utilising the overseas respite provision to take holiday’s in both the Turkish Northern Republic of Cyprus and Italy. We’ve also adopted a dog from one of the many Rescue Centres here...Rafael, and I now anticipate the self-drive across Europe upon posting this Summer.
Working here as the Garrison ERI has continued to be a rewarding role, with a few changes taking place. In the last year we’ve seen 1 R ANGLIAN replaced by 1 RIFLES as the Resident Infantry Battalion (RIB) and Capt Amanda Herring taking over as OC PCRF. I’m grateful to have worked alongside Physio Dave Ryan throughout the entirety of this assignment, who has imparted a wealth of knowledge to me. As a team, we’ve continued to provide a first-class Level 1 PT Service to the Battalion and Station, with Class Therapy and IP sessions led by ERI and Physio Mon-Fri. I believe these daily patient contacts have been instrumental in keeping injured SP motivated and deployability stats healthy.
Outside of Rehab, I’ve led British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF) on island, as both the Regional Secretary and the Dhekelia and Ay Nik Station Team Captain. There has been opportunity to get involved with several Dhekelia Station and British Forces Cyprus (BFC) events as well, including the Dhekelia Dash, Bay-to-Bay Swim, BFC Cross Country, Athletics and Rowing competitions, either in a competitive or officiating capacity. A handful of us in Dhekelia have also continued to meet as a Christian Fellowship Group, where we’ve integrated with Larnaca Community Church, attending Sunday Worship and monthly Men’s Events.
I’ve not been completely confined to Mediterranean weather in work either, with an opportunity to experience colder climates on Exercise APHRODITE MOUFLON, BFC’s Annual Alpine Ski Exped in Galtur, Austria. Although a relatively small station, Dhekelia was able to get 10 of its Service Personnel (SP) away on either Ski Foundation 1 (SF1) or SF2.
As I await my next Assignment Order, I feel very grateful to have served here and would highly recommend anyone to put it on their preferences list. I’ll likely step
SSgt (SSI) J Cooper RAPTC
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PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY (PCRF) DHEKELIA
Coopers with new addition, Rafael
Men of the Mountain –
SSgt Cooper and Cpl Devlin on Ex AM
back into Mainstream life now for the first time in 8 years. I’d say this is overdue as I’ve always assumed from my time as an ERI that MSKI’s are contagious, having seemed to catch many minor niggles over the years from patients. Well, I’ve finally succumbed to the dangerous nature of the job and caught myself a proper injury, with a probable ACL rupture and complex meniscal tear. I’ll put it down as CPD and look forward to being on the receiving end of Rehab delivery.
Dhekelia WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess Dinner Night