Page 101 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

Having ‘virtually’ taken over the role of SO3 PD at HQ 160th (Welsh) Brigade in February 2021 from Capt (MAA) Kev Haley, I turned up in Wales, only to be told I needed to
work from home. Not a great start when you are trying to form relationships with co-workers and crazily, there are still people I haven’t met to this day. I was immediately immersed in Op RESCRIPT, with the Brigade’s response to Covid in Wales; which couldn’t be further away from my PD role. This showed from day one that this was going to be an interesting and varied post. HQ 160 Brigade’s role involves the delivery of firm base support across all Welsh-based units as well as being the tactical HQ for the delivery of UK Ops within Wales. It also provides Defence Engagement and Recruiting as the Army’s connection to the government and society of Wales.
Once back in work and trying to get some team cohesion going, the PD department organised a quality mountain day with 21 members of permanent staff scaling the famous Pen Y Fan. Starting in good conditions, we soon realised we were not going to be able to see the spectacular views from the top. However, it was great to get out and about and meet fellow staff members in a more relaxed setting. To get more people back into an active and healthy lifestyle, the QMSI, WO2 ‘Geordie’ Fernandez then organised a ‘National Fitness Day’ Brigade step challenge which involved completing the number of steps to scale (up and down) Snowdon and Pen Y Fan twice. We were starting to get fitness back in the forefront of people’s minds and back on track.
One of the first major events to get back on track was the world class patrol competition known as Ex CAMBRAIN PATROL which
was designed to support the development of warfighting capability. After the QMSI and I had provided some much needed G7 and PD support in the build-up to the event, we were then thrust into the role of night visits, with myself as the overall OIC. Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL is held over a two-week period in South Wales. It is planned, administered and delivered by the Brigade Headquarters, and consumes every spare body who is ably capable of doing some kind of task to make the event successful. It has evolved over many years, from a competition to test the Welsh Territorial Units post WW2, into the renowned international event that it is today. Held every October, it tests section level teams over 55km of hostile terrain, in arduous conditions whilst completing military stands en route over a 48-hour period. The competition is set at the same standard for both Regular and Reserve units and both UK and overseas teams. Last year the competition was entered by 88 teams (usually over 130 pre covid), including 17 different nations as this was also capped, with some poorly prepared teams not finishing. It is a competition that is not to be underestimated.
In my role as the SO3, I am ably assisted by the QMSI, who is the proverbial ‘font of knowledge.’ As an FTRS soldier, he provides a level of continuity and understanding which is second to none. In both the 160X role and the Headquarters Wales (RPOC) role, we have managed to visit every unit (Regular & Reserve) on our patch in my short time in post. Conducting these visits and being able to advise and mentor all the people involved (as the PD SME) is the most rewarding part of this job. Life is good here, we have a fantastic set up in ‘The Barracks’ gymnasium to be able to deliver PT to the highest standard and of course, occasionally I still get to go out on my bike.
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160 INFANTRY BRIGADE
HEADQUARTERS 160TH (WELSH) BRIGADE
Capt (MAA) R Mckenzie RAPTC
Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL 160X Gymnasium Capt ‘Rach’ Mckenzie racing at the Army Champs
Pen Y Fan