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As I approach the end of my first nine months at 2 RIFLES, I can reflect on a rewarding and enjoyable period. Serving as a RAPTCI in Northern Ireland presents a unique challenge. With the inability to conduct PT off-camp outside of recognised training areas, finding PT lessons to satisfy everyone can sometimes be challenging.
Reluctantly, I have given up my role as the ERI within Lisburn Station and have moved over to the dark side of mainstream PT. As always, 2 RIFLES promised a busy assignment. After being promised a reset year in 2023, the Bn was sent out of the door in spring 2023, deploying to Longmoor Training Camp to train Ukrainian soldiers as part of the UK’s contribution to Op INTERFLEX.
Upon assignment, the immediate problem was the lack of gym facilities in Longmoor. Although the RMP Close Protection Team had a great gymnasium, they were reluctant to share this with the 2 RIFLES Battlegroup. Ultimately, they had to settle for a squash court with some pieces of equipment kindly donated for a loan period. The Bn were deployed in Longmoor until late December, with the last elements arriving back in Lisburn a few days before Christmas. The Bn proved as busy as ever, with A Company also returning from Op FIRIC (Falkland Islands) after having completed three months as the Infantry Roulement Company.
The reset year promised back in 2023 finally came to fruition for 2 RIFLES, with the Bn spending two months in camp as a formed Bn. 2 RIFLES have been continually deployed every year
CO briefing his Bn following CO’s PT
2ND BATTALION THE RIFLES ‘SWIFT AND BOLD’
SSgt (SSI) W Jones RAPTC
since 2014, with at least two Coys being out of camp for at least six months each since then. During the period in camp, the focus was on PT and sports, with a new Commanding Officer at the helm and a complete revamp of PT within the Battalion.
Thankfully, the camp is well equipped with three gymnasiums, a fully revamped astroturf, running track, bubble gym, swimming pool, rugby pitch, and two football pitches. The running track proved to be extremely useful for running sessions, with most of the conditioning sessions taking place here.
Rumours were rife in the New Year, and with the Bn not aligned to anything, all
the messes struggled to get their heads around the fact that the Bn had not been aligned to deploy anywhere because of the previous operational tempo of the unit. The morning PT parade saw the CO call Bn HQ off parade and, the next day, it was announced that we would complete Ex HARAKA STORM (Kenya) in late 2024. Rumours are already starting as to where we will deploy as we move forward. One thing is for sure, the Bn will remain as busy and as committed as ever.
At the time of writing, I find myself working remotely and on secondment for Army Futures on Black Opal, helping to develop and design an artificial intelligence system for the British Army.
Bn boxers battle it out
2 RIFLES Bn Boxing Event Setup