Page 83 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

It has been another great year as the RAPTCI for 5 RIFLES based in Bulford. During the national lockdown when many units began dispersed working 5 RIFLES were at the beginning
of their readiness programme. With a deployment to Op CABRIT in Sep 20 on the cards the Battalion began to plan how to get everyone ready with our new friend COVID around.
It has been an interesting year for all of us at the forefront of PD. Even more interesting trying to get a Battalion that is almost 750 strong all through an SCR and RFT.
Nevertheless, after 6 months of COVID and no hope of it disappearing I was looking forward to finally deploying as my freedom would almost return to normal after a period of testing and isolation.
We arrived safe and well on Op CABRIT in Sep 20 and I write this article still sat in Estonia with around 8 weeks to push and an outside temp of -16. We have managed to get back into some kind of normal PT routine, we’ve been lucky enough to recommence sporting events and we even delivered a JNCO cadre. I
Adventure Training (AT) whilst in Estonia has been superb, activities have included; Disc Golf, Fat Biking, Kayaking and even some low-level Skiing. AT has been a welcomed break for troops in the Battlegroup as Tapa camp can sometimes become a little claustrophobic with all of its grey buildings. Since arriving we have
eFP Battlegroup Indoor Rowing Relay Team
81
5TH BATTALION THE RIFLES
SSgt (SSI) A Morrow MBE RAPTC
managed to get nearly 800 SPs through some sort of AT package which has been a great success.
With my tour drawing to an end I will look forward to returning back home and enjoying some well-earned POTL. My time in this Battalion has gone far too quickly and hopefully next year we can get back to some normality.
CSMs enjoying RFT build up training The CABRIT Gym staff Ski trip Sgt (SI) Beckingham enjoying some cold FatBiking
JNCO Cadre conducting CASEVAC drills during PT