Page 8 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

6
www.raptcassociation.org.uk
As I write the Foreword for this year’s Mind, Body and Spirit, much has changed despite being in the thick of a second year of us living alongside the COVID-19 (C-19) Pandemic, which I am sure has impacted on us all. There will have been tough times for friends, family and Association colleagues alike and I would like to start by conveying my heartfelt best wishes to all of those that have been affected by C-19; whether this be the loss of a close family member, recovering yourself,
or having to look after a family member or friend - God bless each and every one of you and I wish you well!
I assumed the appointment of Senior Master At Arms (SMAA) from Lt Col Steve Collinson in Jan 21 and I would like to publicly thank him for the effective leadership he showed during his tenure, which managed significant change in many areas and ensured the RAPTC remained Force Multipliers in Physical Development, MSKI prevention and rehabilitation of the fighting power of the Army; despite the impact of C-19.
C-19 has marked a point in time whereby we have all had to manage and develop new ways of working, whether at the strategic, operational, or the tactical level of PT delivery to the Force - whilst often dispersed. Many have worked long hours (Serving and Retired) to develop new and innovative ways to achieve their outputs. Evidence of this is abundant, having been inundated with many positive accolades for the ways in which RAPTCIs have supported Op RESCRIPT (British Military operation to help tackle the ongoing C-19 pandemic). This is the measure of the ability of our people to remain flexible and adaptive to the situation in which they find themselves - yet still able to deliver PT at reach. One such accolade came from a recent promotion board where the President highlighted that the RAPTCIs’ reports not only demonstrate our flexibility and professionalism, but also how relevant the RAPTC is to today’s modern Army. This is clear testament to everyone’s personal investment and commitment. This innate ability is what will ensure the RAPTC endures and prospers moving forward. I could not be prouder of the selfless contribution and achievements made by our Corps, as a whole; well done!
We know that time stands still for no one and it’s been another strange, but busy 12 months. With significant changes to how we have had to deliver Physical Development, the Army begins its huge transformation programmes in its structures and how it manages its people. The next 12 months will probably be even busier! Nonetheless, business has had to continue but differently and this year’s Commandant’s Conference (for the first time) was held on the virtual platform and the theme quite rightly centred on ‘Preparing the Mind, Developing the Body and Engaging the Spirit,’
highlighting the importance of Mental Resilience Training (MRT). Delivery of MRT to RAPTCIs will commence late 2021, aligned to the OPSMART (Optimising Physical Stress Management and Resilience Training) programme.
The Corps remains in good shape, fully manned and inflow remains very healthy despite C-19. This has been down to the Army School of Physical Training Commanding Officer and his staff, enforcing strict Force Health Protection measures which kept Fox Lines open for business to almost full capacity. We continue to train and deliver first class Physical Training Instructors for the Army. However, the announcement of the Integrated Review will see the Army get smaller and this will include the RAPTC. As we shift from ‘Scale’ to ‘Shape,’ this will be a challenge for the Army and as such, it will impact on the Corps in terms of its future Workforce requirement. We have been engaged with the team that is looking at restructuring the Army, which will redefine how the Corps will support the future Army construct.
What we do know is that the RAPTC role must continue to evolve to support the Army’s radical transformation programme in becoming more agile, more integrated and more expeditionary. We will continue and work to maximise sustained deployability and retention of the Agile Warrior, through the lens of PREVENT, whereby ensuring we are staffed and resourced to continue to deliver intelligent training. The delivery of the Army Physical Training System remains vital for firmbase and deployed Service Personnel (SP) and will be supported digitally by the MyArmyFitness App - which should be live at the time of reading this article.
We will of course continue to TREAT those that get injured and support the ‘Lived Experience,’ which encompasses ‘The Offer.’ Whether our SP want to participate competitively or for the challenge, there will always be opportunities to take part in Sport and Adventurous Training, with the RAPTC front and centre in its delivery. We will also help our SP mentally and physically to become the best version of themselves and the RAPTC are central to shaping SP towards a healthier lifestyle.
The change doesn’t stop with the Integrated Review, as the Army’s Transformation of its people continues to evolve through Programme CASTLE & Digitisation (Digital Age), which moves at pace. The Corps has embraced this, empowering its people to take more ownership of their careers and help to signpost and develop others in the process i.e. Use of the Career Management Portal and Defence Connect, to enable an even better communication platform for training and development purposes. Moreover, a digital solution is being considered to empower Potential Transfer Candidates, providing attractive challenges and opportunities, supporting talent management across the Army. A new pan-Army Commissioning process (Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) (Senior Soldier Entry (SSE)) will take place at the Royal Military
SENIOR MASTER AT ARMS
Lt Col (SMAA) J Hughes RAPTC
This is what we do...
Allotment & LEISURE GARDENER
3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
2019–20
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
CARVE YOUR OWN LEGEND
M AA
ARMY
The membership magazine for the National Allotment Society
Plans for National Allotments Week 2021 Beneficial insect larvae l Reps Q&A
Issue 2 • 2021
MOUNTAINEER
www.jottnar.com
The Journal of The Mercian Regiment
2020 – No.13
THE JOURNAL OF THE ARMY MOUNTAINEERING ASSOCIATION
LINK-UP PIONEERS THE MOUNTAIN MAN JSAT COURSE UPDATE TRAINING FOR CLIMBING ON OPERATIONS
WINTER 2020
ALG Issue 2 2021.indd 1
12/04/2021
14:24
Mercian Eagle Year of 2020 COVER.indd
1
18/05/2021
16:23
AMA Winter 2020 COVER.indd 1
02/12/2020
09:43
C
d
e
R
y
p
:
o
h
N
g
e
R
r
1
1
6
1
3
4
e 5
f l
y
o
r
3
T
e
y r
r
t A
i
l
r
i
d
a s
t
h
C
l
t
a
h R
R
e
e
e e
r
i
g
o
m
H
l
a
e
i
n
m
g e
n
t
R
o
y