Page 137 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face” (Mike Tyson). This apt quote sums up what has been a challenging year for us all, with a punch in the face
being a metaphor for the emergence of Covid-19. So how has this challenge affected the PT Wing at RMAS? First, the priority has been ensuring that safe but effective PT is delivered whilst grappling with FHP policy constraints. This has been compounded by OCdts missing training through enforced isolation periods. This has meant dealing with multiple layers of contingency planning with the G7 team and Colleges to ensure OCdts meet critical training objectives. Second, academy sport has been relegated to being played in Platoon bubbles. This has been one of the most unfortunate side-effects of the pandemic as sport is one of the great lived experiences for OCdts and Permanent Staff. Last, is AT which has been put on hold due to the obvious restrictions, which has also impacted on the training experience.
However, not all has been bad and out of adversity there is always opportunity. Things that may have previously been out of kilter, such as ‘work-life-balance’ – an often, over-used buzzword – are now being appreciated and addressed. The pandemic has also forced us to think of innovative ways of delivering PT. One example of this are live virtual PT sessions and podcasts that were produced by the PT Wing staff. Each session was tailored dependent on the phase of training and delivered to over 550 OCdts. As a result, OCdts remain fully prepared for field exercises, as well as passing critical physical assessments and tests. Therefore, it has made us challenge previous assumptions and whether what we have done in the past was really that effective. The work produced by the PT Wing staff did not go unnoticed and they were rightly awarded the Commander’s Commendation – which is further testament to the remarkable qualities of our RAPTCIs.
So, what are the next steps? First and foremost will be the reinvigoration of sport and AT, and also to ensure that we continually forge physically fit and resilient OCdts in a Covid environment. One of the greatest things to come from the pandemic is that we are now questioning previous assumptions and ways of working, by asking: “what purpose does this serve?”; “is this completely necessary?” and; “does it really have to be this way?”. This has all led to what is a great opportunity in building better procedures, practices and relationships for the future.
Finally, I would like to mention some farewells and achievements within the Wing. To start I would like to say farewell to Sgt Chris Mortley who has moved to ATC Pirbright (all the very best to you and Beth for the future). Next is SMI Dunc Southern-Naylor
SSgt (SSI) D Hammond RAPTC
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ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY SANDHURST
PHYSICAL TRAINING WING
Maj (MAA) W R Pacter RAPTC
who will be taking up the position of Corps SM on a deferred LE Commission (it’s been a gift working with you and I wish you Kate, Fin, Harry and Charlie all the very best). Congratulations also go to SSgt ‘AJ’ Wilson on promotion to WO2, and Sgt Yvette Kemp and Sgt Blair Webster on promotion to SSgt.
Virtual Physical Training
SSgt (SSI) M Francis RAPTC
Almost 12 months ago as the world fell in to a global pandemic and everything we knew was turned on its head, we at the Physical Training Wing (PT Wing) at Royal Military Sandhurst (RMAS) had to quickly pivot to come up with a new plan to deliver Physical Training to all 3 Commissioning Course Officer Cadets (OCdts).
Vocational PT
Commander Sandhurst Commendation