Page 14 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Yet another year passes and now in my 15th year here at the HQ RAPTC. The continual battle with work, home life and COVID 19 continues. But as I write this, things are starting to turn a corner, I am sat at work which is great as I have two screens and don’t have my dog trying to sit and sleep on my lap in between me and my laptop. COVID restrictions are starting to ease!
So, what has happened in TDT this year? As always, the constant churn of non TDT requests has been keeping us away from our main tasks which are ensuring that all our courses are current and up to date. We have started the External Validation process and have completed a UFTO ExVal and are in the process of completing an AAPTI and OCS. Hopefully we can get to grips with future ExVals and produce some meaningful work to ensure that we are getting the best training for our AA PTI / RAPTCI and Reservists. The Physical Training Leader was our focus through lock down and the first two courses have now been delivered at the ASPT as from Apr 22 this course will be available for DT.
Basketball continues to be my focus outside of work, with increases to my workload taking on referee coaching for 3 candidates for the Basketball England run level 3 course, sitting on the Officiating Advisory Group as an area representative as well as helping to run
WO2 (QMSI) Ian Lester RAPTC Receiving his Hall of Fame certificate in SHAPE, Belgium
and officiate the Local and National League Competitions. The use of zoom and video analysis has greatly helped me manage all this new stuff.
‘THE BIG 15’!
WO2 (QMSI) I Lester RAPTC HQ RAPTC – PD Analyst
Over the last 6 months working within the TDT department of HQ RAPTC, my understanding of my job role of being an Analyst has greatly improved and I can only thank the
individuals that I have and currently work around that pass on significant amounts of information. My biggest fear coming into the role was not being IT literate and not very tech savvy, however I have found the learning process very valuable and feel it will lead me in good stead when moving on. The TDT department is an extremely rewarding place to work and makes me feel valued for the work that I produce, again this can only be down to the CoC producing a good working environment.
This year has seen us return to the office which has allowed me to get into a better routine both with family life and work routine. I have also been very fortunate in being able to represent the British Army in Rugby Union which will see me play my final Services Rugby game as I retire after 13 years of Service to the Red Jersey. There have been many work strands that I have been working on recently that have been completed or are still ongoing and these include a review of the AAPTI Course, CO Des Course Presentation, APTS Media, Project Athena- women in training, UKSCA accreditation work, RAPTC Conference and finally the Obstacle Course Supervisor ExVal. I have also recently taken over the role of organising and publishing all Essential Reading for all Trained Personnel. Looking forward I will be starting to conduct a full ExVal on the Field Army Employment Course and the RAPTC Instructors course which will again enable me to progress my understanding of the DSAT process.
For the remainder of the year, completing the required ExVals will be the main priority as well as looking forward to our Team Building days in Portsmouth and preparing for the 2022 Regional Study Periods. Overall, the last 6 months has been great to be able to return to the office and begin to enjoy coming into work and completing work strands required. I look forward to the remainder of the year.
SSgt (SSI) Tom Chennell RAPTC donning the coveted ARU Jersey for the final time
‘WHAT THE DSAT IS THIS’!
SSgt (SSI) T Chennell RAPTC HQ RAPTC – PD Analyst