Page 133 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

HQ ARMY ADVENTUROUS TRAINING CENTRE
Capt (MAA) A Harris RAPTC
Our objective is to facilitate, deliver, train, qualify and support Unit and Individual Adventurous Training in order to enhance operational capability.
The Army AT Centre, previously known as the Adventurous Training Foundation Centre, primarily delivers foundation courses from our Wings in Cyprus, Harz, Inverness, Brecon, Netheravon and Stoney Cove. Units can bid for courses on the Online Booking System (OBS) just like any other AT course, with the consideration that most of our courses are unit bookings.
The HQ employs two RAPTCIs, me as the Training Officer, and WO2 (QMSI) Mick Harrison as the Training Warrant Officer. Neither of us are ATIs, proving that you don’t necessarily need an AT background to take on these roles. Coming from a pure mainstream career, I have found this to be a very enjoyable and rewarding place to work, with plenty of opportunity to take part in any of the AT disciplines.
JOINT SERVICE ADVENTUROUS TRAINING WING (CYPRUS)
Sgt (SI) N Jones RAPTC
On completion of my Adventurous Training Resilience Margin in JSMTC (I) I embarked on my first posting as an ATI to sunny Cyprus. I was excited to settle in, start delivering under the sun and hit the ground running. I was surprised at the pace of life at the Wing, so I certainly did hit the ground running.
After finding my feet and trying to stay as hydrated as I could, I was soon sent back to the UK to capture my final qualification which enabled me to instruct all courses that are held within JSATW(C), Mountain Bike Leader award. The amount of time I spent on an aeroplane and jumping between different time zones took some getting used to.
A couple of months passed, and it was time for my first Staff Training week, something that I had been looking forward to for a while. Parachute Foundation Training was on the cards, suddenly at just the thought I was straight out of my comfort zone. You would have thought the Staff would be comfortable stepping into an aeroplane considering the amount of travelling we do, however for some reason, something didn’t seem right. This was confirmed when the side of the plane opened! Luckily for us the professional and accurate training the Parachute Instructors delivered enabled us to handle ourselves while we were “falling in style”. The feeling when our shoes touched the ground was second to none and all the Staff were showing their pearly whites for a long time after.
To ensure our delivery is safe and efficient the Wing took part in an exercise that tested our emergency action plans. This involves many organisations from all over the island from SBA Police,
Cypriot Police and 84 Sqn RAF, with many moving parts the exercise was successful and even gave the opportunity for one of our Temporary Employed Staff to have a ride with 84 Sqn in one of their helicopters, luckily for him he was safely strapped in for the duration.
8 Months have now passed since my first day as a fully-fledged ATI and I can safely say it has been an unbelievable career choice. Working with Service Personnel from all walks of life and seeing how they develop throughout the week is extremely satisfying!
ARMY ADVENTUROUS TRAINING WING INVERNESS
Capt (MAA) K Noteyoung RAPTC
From HQBF Gibraltar to the Army AT Wing Inverness (and one climatic extreme to the other). Less a couple of jobs which have been indirectly linked with AT, this is the first time I have worked for the Army AT Group, which, so far, has been great; the job is both interesting and challenging, but at the same time incredibly rewarding.
For those that are not fully versed in what the Army AT Wing offer, we provide an ‘off the shelf AT package.’ Units simply bid for / book AT courses via the Online Booking System (OBS) and provide transport to get here – we do the rest.... Predominantly we offer foundation courses, but also some intermediate level training. Despite a slight reduction in numbers, the Wing has delivered JSAT courses to circa 800 students almost uninterrupted over the last 12 months. Furthermore, the team have conducted several wing and unit staff training serials, supported the sister wings in their delivery, mentored and developed temporary employed staff and delivered an AT Group concentration (Ex SCOTBIKE 21) - some fantastic achievements.
It’s not been easy with gapped positions and several staff moves, but the team are passionate and utterly professional. They have worked incredibly hard to make it happen, and it has been a pleasure to lead them. A special mention to WO2 (QMSI) Chris White who has been instrumental to the Wing’s success. He stepped up when it mattered and delivered in spades.
WO2 (QMSI) C White RAPTC
This last 12 months has been a very busy period for the Army AT Wing Inverness. Delivering Adventurous Leadership & Resilience Training (ALeRT) courses in addition to JSAT course delivery. The wing has increased its delivery capability by adding 3 Star Canoe Foundation (O3N), 3 Star Kayak Foundation (K3N) and 3 Star Sea kayaking (S3N) as well as Winter Mountaineering Foundation (WMF) and Winter Climbing Foundation (WCF) courses to the programme.
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Centre HQ and AT Wing Inverness
ALeRT Training