Page 57 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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THE ROYAL SCOTS BORDERERS
1ST BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND (1 SCOTS)
SSgt (SSI) R Hughes RAPTC
The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS) are currently based in Palace Barracks, Belfast and will re-role in 2017 to become one of the Army’s rst Specialised Infantry Battalions.
In their new role, 1 SCOTS will deliver operational capacity building tasks to provide an increased contribution to Defence Engagement, countering terrorism and building stability overseas. The Battalion will move to Aldershot by 2019 in order to be co-located with the Specialised Infantry Group HQ.
Recent operational commitments for 1 SCOTS have included a company of soldiers deploying to Kabul on Op TORAL, part of whose duties was to provide force protection to NATO advisers mentoring security institutions critical to Afghanistan’s future success. Deploying 250 soldiers as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. A company of soldiers held at readiness to support Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sending small teams to train to local forces in Gabon, Malawi, Zambia and Uganda.
Sport within 1 SCOTS is one of the Commanding Of cer’s top priorities, his intent is to win all of the sporting events within Northern Ireland. This year has seen 1 SCOTS become current cross country, triathlon, volleyball and golf champions with personnel also being selected to represent the infantry and Army at all these sports. Over 100 personnel from the Unit participated in the gruelling 38 (Irish) Brigade 10 mile steeplechase competition bring home 1st male place by one of the 1 SCOTS gymnasium staff Pte Louden and also winning 1st major Unit which the Unit hopes to retain in 2017.
In closing I have really enjoyed my time at 1 SCOTS and I now feel part of the family, I would highly recommend this posting to any RAPTCI.
38 (IRISH) BRIGADE DEFENCE OCCUPATIONAL FITNESS (DOFIT) PROGRAMME
SSgt (SSI) R Hughes RAPTC
The Defence Health Wellbeing Advisors in 38 (Irish) Brigade have been busy delivering 2 successful DO t Programmes to 30 members of the Brigade who have been identi ed as being in need of assistance in managing their weight and lifestyle choices in order to improve their occupational tness levels. The DO t programme is the MOD’s plan to improve health, wellbeing, tness and resilience of service personnel. The DO t model comprises a 5-day residential course followed by a 12-week period of individual implementation, during which the participant will be supported at weekly reviews with their unit PT staff. At 12 weeks, participants will return for a further one day centralised session before they are expected to maintain their new health behaviours. This is supported by local monthly reviews for a total of 12 months. As the DO t programme evolves, variants of this delivery pattern will be developed to best suit local unit requirements.
DO t aims to instil a Defence-wide, through-career, positive culture towards tness, health and wellbeing. Whilst improving resilience to injury, illness, and optimising operational effectiveness.
a.The primary aim of the DO t programme is to increase operational readiness by:
1.Increasing the number of Service personnel attaining their
Service tness standard.
2.Reducing the numbers of personnel at risk of weight-
related illness and injury in particular muscular skeletal injuries (MSKI).
b.The secondary aims of the DO t programme are to support individuals to:
1.Achieve and maintain a clinically signi cant weight loss of
5-10% (of initial weight) at 12 months.
2.Improve personal tness levels and reach their Service
tness standard over the 12 month programme. 3.Promote positive changes in psychosocial factors and psychological wellbeing such as improved quality of life
and self-esteem.
The participates on DO t programme are showing positive results at the 3 and 6 month stage, with all participants on track to meet their targets. This is a great MOD initiative but must be understood by all Unit Commanders to ensure its continued success.