Page 37 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

JOINT SERVICE SIGNAL UNIT – CYPRUS
SSgt (SSI) E Jallow RAPTC
The Joint Service Signal Unit (JSSU) – Cyprus comprises of a small but hardworking gym staff. I have been in the post for just over a year and it has been an amazing post. Exploring the island is currently on hold due to the pandemic. However, there are glimmers of hope that this may change in the coming months.
Over the past 12 months the team have continued to work on a COVID PT plan, to enable the delivery of an all-inclusive health and fitness service to the wider Ayios Nikolaos community amidst the COVID pandemic. At the initial phase of the pandemic the gym equipment was loaned out to service personnel and their dependents. At some stage, a booking rota system was introduced to enforce compliance to BFC COVID-19 direction. The gymnasium arrangement has since been reset (kit moved to the courtyard) to enable the 2 metre social distancing rules and building a safe training capacity limit. Partners PT and mindfulness is now added in the PT programme in order to help alleviate the stress of isolation, seclusion and sedentary from the lockdown.
It is invigorating that the British Forces Cyprus sporting events are going ahead via a virtual means in most cases, the SO2 J7 PD - Maj (MAA) Galley RAPTC has been steadfast and clear in his direction of not cancelling events. He deems the continuation of non-contact events as vital in keeping morale and community spirit high since the events encourage one to maintain and improve both physical fitness and mental wellbeing. This has proven a huge success and given families the chance for a social activity in a conducive atmosphere. However, given that the gym at JSSU (Cyp) is a limited team of three personnel, we found ourselves organising almost all the events because of the different geographical location of the stations.
Though it has been a demanding year, the gym staff have still managed to represent JSSU (Cyp) and their respective Service in Sports. I represented the BFC Army Football Team vs RAF and scored the first goal in the match to end the RAF team 8 years winning streak of the fixture. Sgt Pugh represented JSSU (Cyp) in Cycling and also won the BFC Bay 2 Bay Swim.
The focus for the gym staff in the months ahead is to continue to educate, implement targeted fitness training in JSSU (Cyp) and
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SSgt (SSI) Jallow (aka The Gambian Santa) and LCpl I Sheppard
support wider BFC activities in the face of the pandemic. Also, to improve fitness stats, reduce MSKI in order to enhance operational effectiveness.
Finally, I would like to say a personal thank you to the UFTO WO1 (RSM) Craven for all his support. Sgt Pugh RAF PTI and Cpl K. Rai (AAPTI) who have since left the gym, for their dedication and quality service “thank you”.
SSgt (SSI) Jallow standing far left with the BFC Army Football Team in Oct 2020