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Adding value and supporting the Field Army RAPTC Instructors is what I envisaged my role here as a PD Regional Point of Command (RPOC) QMSI to be, hopefully I have attained my commitment in how I support the units within the SW AOR. HQ SW is a fantastic place to work and I genuinely mean that, autonomous with our main work and outputs and the HQ Regional Command (HQ RC) SO2/SMIs are massively supportive which makes our job more productive in supporting the units in SW.
My other (unofficial) role is to provide the continuity for changes of the SO3s, where this Branch is on its third within the last twelve months.
May 2023, we said goodbye to Capt (now Maj) Colin Suffield and his numerous and fascinating ERI stories. We then welcomed in Capt Daz Taylor from Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) with his vast knowledge of Wet Bulb Globe Thermometers (WBGTs), a short nine- month stint in the chair gave him just enough time to unpack and repack all the of RAPTC artefacts, including half of the Corps Museum, from his desk after he left on promotion to Major.
We now welcome into the fold Capt Ian Gillard as the new SO3. I didn’t know really know Capt Gillard that well, except when as WO1 RC PT he was investigating myself in my previous unit for some hefty discrepancies, I think we’ll move quickly on from that....! Each of the SO3s I have worked with have brought with them something new from which I have developed and improved how I do my work and I look forward to having the new SO3 at the helm.
Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) can been seen as ‘dead man’s shoes,’ however I still come into work each day as enthusiastically as I did when I first badged into our Corps. Yes, there are some painful spreadsheets which I have to maintain and probably still get to grips with. But in this past 12 months I have attended RAPTC Selection as DS, travelled to Nepal to assist RC with a Physical Development Audit (PDA), took part in a Battlefield Study to Normandy, ended up back at a Field Army Unit delivering PT and organised an amazing sea kayaking expedition to the Isles of Scilly; so if those experiences are ‘dead man’s shoes’ then I am completely content.
I live in a thriving Garrison Mess during the week where, after 18months, I still continue
WO2 QMSI Bynorth with fellow Airborne RAPTCIs at the King’s Coronation Dinner
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HEADQUARTERS SOUTH WEST
G7 PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT (PD) BRANCH
WO2 (QMSI) B Bynorth RAPTC
WO2 (QMSI) Bynorth Sea Kayaking – Isles of Scilly
to be the President of the Entertainment Committee (PEC). Notable events are the Oktoberfest and the now legendary Mr & Mrs Bynorth’s Cheese and Wine Night. The flexibility of the role even meant I could complete some extensive voluntary work overseas at Talbot House in the town of Popperaine in Belgium which is a World War 1 living museum and served as respite for soldiers during the Great War, it was an amazing experience which was afforded to me through the role here in HQ SW.
The only downside to the job is seeing first-hand the disappointment of both the Sgt-SSgt and SSgt-WO2 Promotion Board from the SW RAPTCIs who come so close to promotion, but miss out. I have personally been in that hurt locker, especially with promotion to substantive
Ocktoberfest – WO2 (QMSI) Bynorth with SSgts Kirby, Ingles and O’Brien
Nepal PDA with HQ RC Staff
WO2 and managed it after numerous (and I mean numerous) looks.
The knowledge, advice and career management is far better than it previously was, but hard work, being proactive outside of unit responsibilities and especially, having good comms will pay dividends on both promotion boards and I wish all our SW Sgts and SSgts success for future promotion boards.
WO2 Bynorth & Mrs Bynorth - Tidworth Garrison Sgts’ Mess Summer Function