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So, after 12 years of living the good life after having turned to the dark side (the RAPTC), I finally found
myself coming full circle and ending up back in a REME Battalion yet again. My first week coincided with the Battalion’s reorganisation week, which saw the unit change from a Close Support (CS) to a Force Support (FS) Battalion. This kicked off with a parade to celebrate the reorg followed by the Leuchars Station Boxing Night, which saw the unit put forward its best fighters to compete against Scots DG and 7 Regt RLC. A very successful night was enjoyed by all. The week was rounded off with an Inter Coy Highland Games event which included the classic caber tossing and a piper.
Intro week complete, it was time to knuckle down. SSgt Sansom from Scots DG (our neighbouring unit) had done a fantastic job of keeping the unit compliant and ensuring that personnel remained fit. In the absence of a full-time RAPTCI, a lot of work was needed to get back to basics and start putting systems in place to ensure the unit was conformant. A lack of workforce was a challenge, which most RAPTCIs can empathise with and, of course, PT being a lower priority to other taskings. However, slowly and surely, like a phoenix... it started to rise out of its own ashes!
Things were just starting to get a little easier and then, out of nowhere, I somehow managed to come off the WO2 board! A bittersweet result in the end. Partly because I had only just moved the whole family up to Scotland in a bid to settle them there and knew I’d now have to go married unaccompanied elsewhere again; and also because there was still a lot more I had planned for the unit. However, as most will know, that particular promotion board is absolutely ninja to promote from, so I had no grounds for complaint. Amongst the chaos of my short spell at the unit there were still a few highlights. Being in Scotland wouldn’t be being Scotland without going to a Burns supper, and thanks to an invite from SSgt Sansom, I got to don a kilt once more and attend the event at Scots DG. I can’t remember getting home that night so it must have
SSgt (SSI) A Briggs RAPTC
2 (FORCE SUPPORT) BATALLION REME
been good! Also, within the minefield of injuries that I’ve had over the last year, my body decided to give me a break and let
me steal a win at the Army Cross Country Champs (old boys category). There’s life in the old dog yet!
SSgt Briggs and SSgt Sansom at Scots DG Burns Night
Leuchars Station Boxing Night
2 FS Bn REME - Re-Org Parade
Leuchars Station Highland Games