Page 23 - RAPTC 23/24

Field Army Troops Physical Development (PD) Team consists of 1 x SO2 PD and 2 x Fwd SMI PD. The
main focus is PD support to Operations for the following organisations: Army Special Operations Brigade, 77th Brigade, Cyber and Electro Magnetic Activities (CEMA), Understand Group, HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC), which has two subordinate Brigades in 1st Signal Brigade and 104th Theatre Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Medical Brigade and 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team. The PD team was only recently fully established in January 2024 with WO1 (SMI) Keith Emmerson RAPTC, joining after transitioning from 6 UK Division (which has now disbanded), to support SO2 PD Maj (MAA) Lee Davison RAPTC and WO1 (SMI) Craig Watson RAPTC.
The PD Team are extremely busy with various ongoing work strands supporting units preparing to go on Operations and/ or exercises across the globe. Focussing on projects such as the Deployed Physical Training Equipment (DPTE) Trials, My Army Fitness App (MAFA) trials, Aircrew Conditioning Programme and implementing change management programmes and appropriate intervention methods to optimise performance across the Formation and Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs).
The DPTE trial initially ran from Jan 23 – Dec 23, which involved 1 and 4 RANGERS, who deployed on various exercises and deployments training and testing the various pieces of equipment in austere environments. The teams robustly trialled the Deployable Strength Pods and Athlete Packs whilst deployed to areas such as Africa, USA and the Middle East. A new trial has been established with 16 Air Assault Brigade, where 2 PARA and 7RHA have been selected to test the equipment. The trials were overseen by Maj (MAA) Will Pacter RAPTC, Maj (MAA) Lee Davison RAPTC and WO1 (SMI) Keith Emmerson RAPTC.
RAPTC Members of the Army Masters Football Team at the European Masters Games
1 Avn Bde Water Sports – WO1 (SMI) Craig Watson and LCpl Parry (AA PTI)
FIELD ARMY TROOPS
Maj (MAA) L Davison RAPTC, WO1 (SMI) K Emmerson RAPTC & WO1 (SMI) C Watson RAPTC
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The MAFA trials were conducted by SSgt (SSI) Robbie Conway, RAPTCI at 32 Regt RA and assisted by Bdr Mathew Statham (AAPTI), overseen by Maj (MAA) Lee Davison RAPTC. The trials were extremely successful with many areas of the App identified for improvement and development to make the experience more user friendly. The hope is that the Field Army can continue to modernise and upgrade PT delivery whilst deployed without a PTI.
The PD team have managed to get out to attend various events; one important event which was attended by both WO1 (SMI) Keith Emmerson RAPTC and WO1 (SMI) Craig Watson RAPTC was the 1 AAC Boxing Event, held within the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess RNAS Yeovilton. It was a great show which took place with many of the boxers having their first bout and an opportunity to catch up with former RAPTC SMI (now Capt) Jay Essam AAC. WO1 (SMI) Craig Watson RAPTC, whilst embedded within 1 Avn BCT along with the HQ staff were invited to partake in water
sports and team activities laid on by the Army Inshore Sail Training Team. Despite the rain and cold sea temperatures, all involved enjoyed the experience and the visit on a whole was a great success.
On the sporting front, Maj (MAA) Lee Davison RAPTC has continued to support the RAPTC Football Club (FC) as President and was recently appointed as the General Manager of the Army Representative Master’s Football Team. WO1 (SMI) Keith Emmerson RAPTC continued to represent both the RAPTC FC as a player coach and the Army Representative Master’s Team as a player. The Army Masters Team were invited to compete in the European Masters Games which took place in Finland. The Army Team won the competition receiving the Gold Medal. In the Annual Inter Services Competition the team unfortunately were beaten 2-1 against the RAF, but the team then went on to beat the Royal Navy 3-2 in the final fixture. WO1 (SMI) Craig Watson RAPTC continues to represent the RAPTC Golf Team.