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Iam writing this article after completing my first year as 3 RANGER’s RAPTCI and what a rewarding year it has been
so far. My mission upon arrival was to fully integrate into the Battalion, its people and learn about The Ranger Regiment as a whole. One of the projects I got to work on was creating the brand-new Falcon Gymnasium which was completed in December 2023. The whole facility received significant upgrades to both its Physical Training Equipment (PTE) and infrastructure. The upgrade consisted of the installation of a Functional Training Rig, astroturf lanes (Sledge Push/Pull), new flooring, replacement of all CV equipment, Strength and Conditioning equipment and Battalion themed wall art; with still more to come! The upgrade has transformed the Gymnasium into a state- of-the-art-training venue, providing the Battalion, students, and visitors with an exemplary facility to maintain their Health, Fitness and Wellbeing. Furthermore, showcasing what the Battalion has to offer. Not stopping there, I have just managed to secure funding to convert a disused squash court into the 3 RANGER combat fitness gym as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and combat sports is rapidly increasing within the Battalion.
The Battalion has remained extremely active and deployable. So far in 23/24, 3 RANGER have deployed 381 Service Personnel (SP) to 50 Deployments in 20 countries. These have ranged from operations to the Black Sea to, most notably, a hugely successful and educational Op BROADWAYS arctic warfare training deployment. This deployment was the first time that the Battalion has conducted its own self- delivered arctic warfare training. Utilising instructors within the Battalion that had attended courses in Norway and Sweden over the last 12 months, the Battalion was able to internally train itself, covering a syllabus based on CWOC but expanded to provide specific training for the Ranger Regiment role in large scale combat operations in the arctic.
Due to the nature of the Coys and teams deploying away from the firm base for extended periods of time produces a challenge to periodise the PTP. However, the Battalion takes all PT very seriously when in barracks and especially Thursday’s Battalion PT. One Battalion PT session I have had the privilege of delivering was to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, 3 RANGER held a
SSgt (SSI) Critchlow in the brand-new Falcon Gym
pre-invasion breakfast served from mess tins from a field kitchen and a Battalion parade/service of remembrance before tackling an arduous special D-Day themed PT session. The Battalion parade and
D-Day PT
3RD BATTALION THE RANGER REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) I Critchlow RAPTC
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