Page 117 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

The stunning North Face of Mont Blanc Du Cheilon
JOINT SERVICE MOUNTAIN TRAINING WING (INDEFATIGABLE)
Capt (MAA) P Mellor RAPTC
Indy have managed to squeeze in a fair number of courses during the first easing of restrictions, teaching the PTI Class One Courses, Instructors for Op TOSCA and our own new RAPTCI’s
on the Resilience Margin (ReM). This year we have no tales of daring adventures, there is just a dull hum of ‘what could have been’ and ‘those conditions look perfect.’ The whole team here at ‘Indy’ are looking forward to welcoming back students as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cool photo from this year, instead here is a photo of my last Alpine peak. Mont Blanc De Cheilon, 3870m.
Sgt (SI) R Duncan RAPTC
Throughout the year Instructional staff from JSMTC Indefatigable take part in a variety of disciplines in varied environments in order to increase professional development. This training is Mission critical and ensures that the quality of training that JSMTC can provide remains the most up to date and some of the best in the world.
There is huge importance placed on ensuring our skills remain current and regular moderation periods ensure we remain on track and provide us with progress checks. All our new instructors are mentored, and skills are rocket boosted from day one. All of this is done by empowering new instructors, a by-product of this method is increased team cohesion. Whether you are a seasoned Instructor or on the Resilience Margin (ReM), you are considered a valuable part of the team.
WO2 (QMSI) S Mayled RAPTC
In 2018 I was assigned to the Loan Service Team (Oman) as the Sultans Armed Forces Chief Instructor of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) Adventure Training Centre. On arrival I was met by (now) Capt (MAA) Gaz Osbourne RAPTC who I was taking over. The moment I stepped out of the airport the heat and humidity hit me. The temperature was 45 degrees and I was a sweaty mess. A well acclimatized Gaz had a smug grin throughout the first week.
I got to know my Omani AT instructors over a meal of goat’s head and rice, we got out in to the mountains. Oman is far from a flat
Sgt Duncan finishing the year passing his Mountain Leader assessment. It’s been a long time coming but I have genuinely enjoyed the journey.
desert, it’s a rough rocky terrain that allows for some of the most amazing mountaineering.
Although my main role was CI AT, your job as a British Mustashar (Advisor) quickly grows as you get more ‘Wasta.’ ‘Wasta’ can only be described as respect, who you know, what you know and what you can get. If you do not have ‘Wasta’ you are effectively powerless, whatever your rank! I therefore got busy quickly and found myself to be a wanted man!
I was immediately tasked with AT POC for the RAO and 1 Mercian Battle group for the Joint Ex Saif Sareera 3. I assisted Capt (MAA) Jessey RAPTC on locations and instructor training to provide an AT package for around 2500 troops. This was a great opportunity to provide some Defence engagement between British UK forces and the RAO. It makes a huge difference to Omani Soldiers when UK Soldiers teach them something new. My instructors would return to the AT centre thoroughly motivated and passionate which then would become infectious amongst peers.
Unfortunately, due to the passing of the late HRH Sultan Qaboos and its financial impacts, many of the Loan Service Team (Oman) jobs were cancelled. The RAPTC AT position was sadly one of them, with very little indication that it will come back.
If you ever get the opportunity to visit Oman, the people are friendly, the culture is exceptional and the strong connection to British Military runs deep in their history.
Sgt Duncan and SIO Brownlow paddling the Great Glen in Scotland. Fort William to Inverness (87 Km)
You’ve not taught skiing unless you have taught it in Arabic. RAOATC Instructors and Q Mayled at the Mountain Soldiers Competition in Italy
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