Page 94 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Well, another fast-paced year for 5 RIFLES! Since my last article we landed back from Op CABRIT safe and sound and enjoyed a 6-week POTL period. It was truly bliss, especially as we hadn’t been able to have any R&R during the deployment, so 6 weeks was certainly needed.
Once we returned to Bulford, we were straight back into Btn routine...only this time with COVID finally disappearing we got stuck into lots of PT and Sport. Inter-Coy athletics was first up and HQ Coy snatched the win from D Coy due to some late disqualifications, but the day was a huge success, and the weather was perfect.
Salamanca day was the next big event and it always kicks off with a fancy-dress fun run in the morning, as you can see from the photo any excuse for some of my team to wear a dress.
Before summer leave, we managed to squeeze in some CO’s PT, which is of course well received as the Bn’s ethos surrounding PT is first class and you couldn’t wish for a better Bn, they love it and I have a huge permanent gym staff team.
After summer leave our focus was training for the 3XX Warrior Games – we were thirsty to win and had a well-established BAWF team. For months a group of 15 or so turned up every Mon, Wed and Friday to ensure we were in peak condition come the competition. Sadly, after an increase in covid cases the event turned virtual, and we all took part within our own gyms and linked in via Zoom. The day couldn’t have gone better for my team winning 3 out of 5
CO’s PT
events and we were certain we had secured victory! Turns out due to some bad infantry counting we submitted the wrong score on event four which gave us last place bringing our overall position down to 2nd place. Despite the attempts to overturn the decision due to a counting error, the event IC wasn’t willing to change his decision and we had to settle for 2nd place. I was incredibly proud of our team but in the same breath, I was hugely saddened that we’d made a mistake that cost us 1st place; I genuinely lost a few nights sleep over the outcome.
Before we went on Christmas leave, 20X held another Warrior Games event and as soon as the WngO went out we began the victory mission. Nobody was about to make a mistake on this event and all our team members put in the graft to ensure they were in the best physical condition to win! The competition itself was a huge success and it was nice to be back competing all together within the same venue. Just like we’d hoped, 5 RIFLES won every category, and we took home lots of silverware.
Sadly, my time at 5 RIFLES is now ending and I am moving on with promotion to some new challenges at HQ RAPTC. I can honestly say this posting has been without doubt the best time in my whole career, I have loved every minute of it and do not want to leave; whoever gets this job is very lucky. Finally, I would like to say a huge thanks to my incredibly talented gym staff who have supported me over the last three years. Cpl Bareham, LCpl McCaw, LCpl Towler, LCpl Summers, LCpl Owen, Rfn Thursby and Rfn Coom – Thank you for everything you do, I am hugely grateful.
Inter Coy Athletics
5TH BATTALION THE RIFLES
SSgt (SSI) A Morrow MBE RAPTC
Salamanca Day fancy dress fun 3 Div Warrior Games Team 20 Bde Warior Games Champions