Page 19 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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Into my third and nal year at The Royal Tank Regiment (RTR), its tting to re ect on what a pleasure it has been to serve with this unit. While
the pace of life is always high tempo, and main efforts
are many, RTR always manage to produce the goods.
The Regiment puts equal emphasis on quality of
work, performance, morale, retention and standards.
This year has seen many exercises, assignments and
supporting tasks being undertaken. Castlemartin
Ranges (CMR) were a particular highlight in the FOE
as it gave an opportunity for the soldiers to display
their skill levels across all elements of Tank Business,
this year saw some of the highest individual, crew
and Squadron scores possible. The Regiment took
full use of the facilities at CMR and ensured all 4
levels were conducted during an extremely demanding and time consuming schedule, as always the Chain of command (COC) workhard to ensure Physical development remains at the forefront of Regimental life.
RTR has an excellent history of sporting prowess in the Royal Armoured Corps, consistently winning the RAC Hodsons Horse Inter Regiment Sports Competition. In a highly competitive 2015 competition the title slipped away to the Royal Lancers by just a couple of points. This year the RTR had every intention of reclaiming their title. The event sees all Regiments from the RAC compete in a number of sports including Football, XC, Rugby, Boxing, and Water Polo to name a few. The RTR had trained hard and their tenacity and hard work were not in vain. A particularly
strong performance was shown by the rugby Union Team who in the rst day of competition scored 112 points and did not concede one. The RTR once again won the competition to comfortably reaf rm their sporting prowess in the RAC.
On a PD side of life, the RTR continues to ensure soldiers tness is a priority, making full use of the local facilities and ensuring personnel get the time to develop. In a few short months we were graced with the usual exciting visits of Physical Development Assessment (PDA), readiness inspections and AFT assurance visits, all passed with ying colours of course. The Regiment has also pushed forward with a 3 week in house reconditioning, weight management,
lifestyle initiative which sees individuals given 3 weeks protected time to work with the RAPTCI and AAPTIs to develop all areas of physical development. The soldiers are given time and knowledge in order to increase operational effectiveness and deployability.
The regiment now looks forward to another hectic year with a full FOE, supporting winter repair and OPFOR in BATUS, another round of CMR ranges and the dreaded departure of their beloved RAPTCI. I have really enjoyed my time at the RTR, the unit hold true to the old adage ‘Work hard, Play hard’, they are a professional and enjoyable bunch who really embrace the attached arms at all levels. While I look forward to new challenges and future prospects, I will leave RTR with fond memories and a heavy heart; FEAR NAUGHT.
THE ROYAL TANK REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) MJ Brightey RAPTC
HCR has been on exercise..................the end. I don’t know what anyone else has been up to but our Unit has not been in camp together
since Christmas week! So it’s been challenging to
organise a consistent PT programme that caters for
all, l however, have stripped PT back down to basics.
Get the strength training right by incorporating
coaching sessions which seems to have had a positive
impact as the gym is busier in the evenings. In order
to facilitate strength training for a whole Sqn we had
to upgrade the facility and purchase new equipment.
A new oor was installed and squat racks put in which
can be used for Olympic lifting. We have nine racks in
total with extra room to do bench press and deadlifts.
With a Sqn following a detailed strength programme
we can get large numbers in and enable HCR to learn more about safe lifting. This, alongside a programme which included loaded marches, interval training and conditioning so that we can conduct OFT 2 with maximal pass rates and minimal MSKI. So far so good.
Since day one in the job I’ve been questioning the unit on the deployable role of the RAPTCI and everybody seems to tell me
I’m the CO’s bodyguard.......I’m still trying to work it out! However, I’ve really enjoyed getting stuck into the Armoured Reconnaissance role by completing the All Arms Track Commander Course, Panther Comd Course, deploying on exercise and taking on the role of BGHQ RECCE sighting and security, deploying on Gun Camp to shoot stuff which, for an ex REME REMF has been challenging at times.
I can honestly say though, after spending 5 years in Rehab, that coming back to a Field Army unit has been absolutely fantastic. I’ve enjoyed being on exercise, pushing all aspects of PD within the unit and being located within LONDIST......but, being Orderly Major walking around with a riding crop on a Friday
night was de nitely a low point!
As the unit looks ahead it will be moving from Windsor in 2019 and re-locating to Bulford as part of the Experimental Strike Brigade. There will be interesting times ahead and anyone that is looking to be part of the pointy end of the Army should jump at the chance to take the HCR RAPTCI role.
THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) A Burt RAPTC
1ST BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS
SSgt (SSI) S Turner RAPTC
Upon beginning this job in the summer of 2016, I was looking forward to serving with a keen Infantry Battalion who were very much set on pushing sport and attempting to publicise the newly merged Regiment. As part of the Lead armoured Battle Group (LABG) for 1 Armd Inf Bde, I was also becoming very quickly
aware of the tempo within Bn and getting used to seeing Coy’s disappear for weeks on end to places like the Falklands, Latvia and the Middle East to name but a few.