Page 30 - RADC Bulletin 2022

Although test week has some short sharp sessions, there are crucial TABs in the weeks prior which will see you on the move for nearly 2 hours. This training is less painful
to endure but requires more time. It is also known as zone 2 or base training, and the Army tends to achieve this with steady state runs in PT. When out running you should be fairly comfortable being able to complete full sentences if chatting. Long TABs are a great way to achieve this also whilst building leg strength, but start out with smaller weights and build up to the required 35lbs plus water.
Just remember good runners tend to be able to TAB, but good ‘TABers’ aren’t always able to run.
The upper body strength required to carry a rifle and support a bergen comfortably will come whilst practicing TABing. Some accessory strength work in the gym if noticing recurring niggles or weak muscle groups will help, but don’t just go and Ron Burgundy the bicep curls.
The Headspace
When finally arriving at Catterick I felt confident about what to expect but nervous at the sight of the 105 candidates who all
looked fit, young and healthy.
It is this mental anxiety which plays such
a crucial part in the course. You have to believe in your own ability against the clock every step of the way. Worrying about other people’s strengths compared to yours will not help you perform your best. You should focus on controlling all aspects of your performance that lay within your sphere
of influence. This includes your nutrition both before, during and after the events, your sleep routine, your kit and how you recover following the events. Maximising the gains from these areas will not only lead to physical benefits, but provide mental confidence so you can to react positively when the going gets tough.
Elements such as the weather, where you are placed on the log or a change in timing of an event are all things out of your control. Worrying about how this will affect your performance expends mental energy you will require later when digging deep. Once your mental reserve runs out you begin to falter and fail.
A system of providing red cards is built into the first two weeks of the course and is designed primarily to place pressure and doubts on people’s minds. Three red cards
and you fail the course before even making it to test week. Some of the sessions are not designed to be passed by everyone, they are harder to pass than the physical standard required. However, the DS are looking
to fulfil the Pegasus Company mission
of testing mental robustness, wanting individuals to shake off the perceived failure of a red card and carry on.
Go and Do it
AAPPS is an established course with very few surprises. The standard is set remains the same. The back area becomes a tortuous playground which you become familiar with, to the point of nicknaming the features. The Land of Nod, Gandalf’s dip and many others are there to be tackled. Most will require a posting to 16 Medical Regiment to secure
a place, but you can attempt to volunteer if your CoC approves and you have future ambitions to serve within 16 AABCT. With the current and previous CO’s of 16 Med Regt belonging to the RADC, we should aspire to have more individuals passing AAPPS and ready to attend their Basic Parachuting Course once in unit.
DEVELOPMENT
Digitisation – in the
Dental Centre and beyond! Major Emily Schlesinger
Whatisdigitisation?Isitforme?I’m notfamiliarwithcomputers?Arethese questionsyou’veheardbefore?
Digitisation is here to stay. It is a growth process requiring change, training and interest across all members of your team. But does it apply to me and my practice? YES!!!
• TransformisaPillarfromCGS–Digital transformation
• Increases Efficiency – utilising the IT to our advantage
• Increases Flexibility – staffing shortages, redistribution of staff, supporting working from home
• Aids Business Continuity – e.g. DMICP outages
• Maintains Accountability – digital records, ‘digital trail’ of requests and actions
• Improves Communication – between departments, to remote centres, feeding into central HQs
• Are ‘we,’ ‘you,’ ‘all of us’ behind the curve? – this is not new technology now
Here at Seria DC, Brunei we are using automated, digital processes across a wide range of practice management areas:
• DentalConsumableStoresManagement • MDSSEquipmentFaultReporting
• PatientSelfCheckSystem
• Complimentsrecording
• DentalNurseRecordofTrainingand
CPD
The more we apply automation, the more
areas we see it could be useful. We are looking next at recording the radiographic auditsandpossiblyevenconvertingour373s to a fully digital process, populating them and storing the data directly on to our Sharepoint site. Reducing folders of paperwork and enabling easy ‘reach in’ for processes such as the LEA.
How we have chosen to digitise these processes uses a couple of Microsoft apps, many of which are very familiar to all of us in the MOD system already. So how do you get into it?
You of course have to have some interest in improving the status quo. This can involve some self-learning - exploring uses of apps available (free), MOD Digital Academy training (free), Youtube tutorials (free), forums to find solutions (you guessed it – free!) but also sharing of information and templates across DPHC practices is another way to improve efficiencies. Should anyone reading this like to see more of what we do at DC Seria,dopleasecontactuseitherdirectlyor
via SSgt Alex Stephenson of Overseas RHQ. He has agreed to coordinate a group session if there is sufficient interest.
But will your knowledge be enough? ABSOLUTELY! The main applications we have used in our processes are:
• MSForms–weshouldallhavecome across either as user or creator?
• Excel – definitely familiar
• Outlook – oh yes
• Power Automate – perhaps this is the
missing link? Powerautomateconnectsappstogether
28 RADC BULLETIN 2022