Page 128 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
DEFENCE SCHOOL OF LOGISTICS & ADMINISTRATION
Sgt (SI) S Kerung RAPTC
Defence School of Logistics and Administration (DSLA) is a phase 2/3 Tri-service training establishment and home to the Adjutant General Corps and the Royal Logistics Corps.
It is a very busy establishment, delivering training to approximately 10,000 personnel each year. On completion of my RAPTC Instructors’ Course (No 223), I was assigned to DSLA during a high time of COVID-19. As cases were significantly increasing on station, I was assigned the lead role for establishing and operating the station’s first Covid-19 testing site which involved converting one of the gym halls. Running the testing site for 8-months brought me great challenges but eventually it paid off, as the testing site proved to be a great control measure in preventing the spread of the virus. Dealing with the positive case and managing all test operatives and the G4 supply chain was a true test to my management skills and patience, to say the least.
DSLA gym has been the go-to place and playground for many sports and events. We have organised and hosted both AGC and RLC Corps level Inter Unit events such as badminton, basketball, cricket, cross country, football, jiu-jitsu, netball, and squash. We also took part and had some great results, especially in cross country, where we were crowned the Royal Logistic Corps major unit champions and UK South League major unit team runner ups with WO2 (QMSI) Farrugia picking up individual winners medals in both events.
We also organised and supported multiple charity events throughout the year, such as a 24-hour row-a-thon covering
Charity Run
500,000 meters in 24-hours, 12-hours spin-a-thon challenge covering the distance from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in 12-hours and I led a team who ran 300-miles throughout August for Combat Stress. In total, over £10,000 was raised for the charities.
The local primary school had their annual residential visit cancelled due the Covid-19 pandemic. We were approached to see if we could help, and we happily obliged by organising a day to remember. We greeted the children at the school and got them and their teachers cammed up before walking over to camp carrying rubber rifles. They conducted a round robin of stands which included an indoor climbing wall, improvised obstacle course, weapons, observation stand, and sea cadets before having lunch and finishing off with a visit to the RLC Museum and a walk back to school. The day was a huge success and gave the pupils a great insight to the military.
DSLA saw their first ever entry into the British Army’s Premier Patrol competition ‘Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL’ where I compiled a team to participate in the international military exercise, the majority being gym staff. An arduous tasking which involved covering 40-miles over gruelling terrain of the rugged Cambrian Mountains in Wales, in less than 48-hrs whilst completing a series of military skills events including a 100m river crossing with full kit. Having previously taken part in the event, QMSI Farrugia took the role of Patrol Manager, and I took the role of Patrol Commander. As part of Defence Engagement, we also hosted a team from Poland and assisted with training on our weapon systems and TTPs. Impressively both teams were awarded a silver medal.
Cambrian Patrol Teams
Cross Country Team