Page 139 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

The Trail pauses! Adventurous Training (AT) plays a key role in enhancing the physical, mental and environmental preparedness of soldiers for operations. It is also cost- effective, recruiting and retention positive. Above all, it is good fun and invariably a popular ‘look forward’ for the Service personnel. We owe it to them to make access to high quality AT as straight forward as possible, given the demanding life we currently lead and the legislative environment in which we operate.
For some 30 plus years, the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) has co-ordinated an AT package following on from the tactical training conducted on the ranges and the prairie at Suffield. In common with the training at Suffield, the AT programme has evolved over the years and the current packages offers an outstanding opportunity that rivals anywhere in the world. The training programme is designed to offer AT experiences in Alpine Mountaineering, Ski Mountaineering, Multi-pitch Rock Climbing, Canadian (Open) Canoeing, Horseback Packing, Kayaking, White Water Rafting, Trekking and Mountain Biking.
Where training is part of an OTX, it is deemed to be directed Type 2 training. I commend it to you all, but for the moment all the above is on hold, certainly from TEC. I don’t like using the word ‘but’ as everything before that word seems insignificant, I genuinely hope this is not the case for the future of TEC. I hope that AT will resume in Canada, once the pandemic is under control! During my time in BATUS (TEC) I witnessed the training (Type 2) diluted over the past few years due to financial constraints and the reduction in Battle Group numbers being trained in BATUS, which is a true shame.
Since leaving BATUS (TEC) the camp was re-activated over winter 20/21 to provide AT for BATUS based troops. This opportunity has been rightly exploited by the BATUS PS during these uncertain times!
At the time of writing, I have been at the ASPT for 7 months working with a dedicated team that continue to deliver quality training throughout the Pandemic! What will be normal again is anyone’s guess. We are told there is light at the end of the tunnel however, I suspect its someone with a torch with another list of jobs!! Hands – Face – Space. Stay safe but most of all be happy.
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BATUS (TRAILS END CAMP)
Major (MAA) R Bailey RAPTC
British Army Training Unit Suffield has the responsibility to deliver battle winning equipment to the current Reaction Force, so that the delivery of the most innovative Combined
Arms Live Firing in the World can take place on a yearly basis in Canada and Germany. This involves delivering and supporting mandated training outputs within an assured safe system of training and continuing to develop improvement, to provide a more flexible training continuum that better assures competency and training to threshold of failure, whilst providing evidence for WARDEV.
Due to COVID 19 BATUS has been quiet this year, not to lack of work, but due to lack of exercising troops. Although the future of BATUS has been uncertain, it has still been able to support a plethora of exercises such as Ex TALLIN DAWN, Ex UNIFIED
RESOLVE, Ex MAPLE RESOLVE, Ex PRARIE TRANSPORTER and Ex FURIOUS AXE.
Almost a year has passed since COVID-19 caused the World to actively restrict everyone from physical training and socialising in large groups. The difference of restrictions in comparison to the UK has been immensely different, but it has allowed BATUS more freedom to carryout training and recreation activities. Originally, I was redeployed as the COVID Ops room SSgt. This entailed tracking and monitoring personnel in and out of BATUS and ringing them 3 times a week to offer help and advice whilst isolating.
The first restrictions eased within a couple of months, which allowed group training to commence in outdoor areas. With BATUS still in full time work the dependants were left to home school and complete normal tasks of daily living, whilst getting menaced by the children. I spoke to a few of the dependants on a daily basis and decided it was time to create a Circuits group. This was designed to help the dependants, get out, train, socialise and have 60 minutes away from their families. This in turn proved helpful for everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.
In November the cold weather returned, and restrictions were back in place. PT for soldiers halted and only individual training could take place. Motivating soldiers who aren’t intrinsically motivated proved taxing as the fitter soldiers got fitter and the un-motivated soldiers started to decondition.
BRITISH ARMY TRAINING UNIT SUFFIELD
SSgt (SSI) K Price RAPTC
SSgt (SSI) K Price RAPTC