Page 33 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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Fireman’s Carry
the assault course in under five minutes, be able to fireman’s carry their partner across 200m in under 90 seconds and carry out a full regain. Only then are they able to advance on to the run throughs of the Commando Tests.
In my opinion, where we can excel as RAPTCIs is to use our knowledge and experience to best programme and deliver periods that utilise simple training principles. Being able to design lessons based around weaknesses, training needs and use your creativity and imagination to problem solve and come up with solutions to still deliver high end lessons to large groups of people is an advantage. This is supplemented with current and relative briefs based on nutrition, mobility and flexibility, structuring a warmup, sleep strategies and injury prevention to offer students a performance mind-set with the aim being to set students up for success.
The Tank
The RAPTC needs a cohort of Commando Trained ranks to fulfil its employment obligations within 3 Commando Brigade. If you are thinking of attending the AACC:
We are always in need of volunteers to attend the course, it’s a real challenge with most of the course being conducted out in field conditions. The emphasis is placed on being able to conduct soldiering skills to a high standard whilst being cold, wet, sleep deprived and fatigued. If you are adaptable and willing to commit to the challenge you will be presented with the coveted Commando Green Beret and have several unique employment opportunities available to you. You’ll also share a unique camaraderie and friendship with those you serve alongside.
Iwas assigned to the Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) as the SSI in Jul 21 after having spent the previous 3 years within the ERI domain; excited to see what mainstream had in store
for me.
I anticipated a gentle transition; however, the reality of course was very different. I arrived with just 10 days to prepare for the opening of the new Strength and Conditioning (S&C) shelter that I would become custodian for. Additionally, this would include a PT display as well as the obvious joys of hosting a 2* and his entourage of VIPs who of course had an interest in this new facility. The S&C shelter was a welcome relief to the Bulford garrison, relieving some of the already overburdensome pressure on the existing gym floor in Picton gymnasium. Fortunately, the opening was a great success, and the troops are now enjoying their new space to conduct S&C training and remain combat effective.
HCR has been held as UK Standby Battalion (UKSB), held at R2 NTM for much of 2021; the unit were keen for the December stand down period to come and conduct the HOTO of this responsibility. Morale increased as an extended Christmas stand down period was awarded to the troops and the glimpse of an easier start to the FOE in 2022. However, no one expected the events which have happened in eastern Europe, which meant the unit were placed back onto R1, ready to deploy at any moment. Even now, at the time of writing this article, HCR remains at R1 with 50 troops deployed in Poland providing well needed humanitarian aid, a task the HCR are proud to be part of.
Concurrent to all this, HCR has still managed to deploy its personnel as part of Short Term Training Teams (STTTs) to various places including the Turks and Cacaos islands, and exercises in Gibraltar, USA and Belize. The FOE looks exciting for the remainder of 2022 and I am enjoying being part of the unit.
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) T Hansmeyer RAPTC
SSgt (SSI) T Hansmeyer RAPTC New S&C Shelter HCR CO’s Competition