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trainer courses. Three courses have taken place so far, qualifying over 30 instructors to transfer this training and skills back to their respective Companies. Plans are now in place to develop a combative MATT for the unit, allowing for training learnt to be assessed on a regular basis.
With potential approval of a Business Case that was recently submitted, the OPP physical strand will obtain equipment to ensure a self-suf cient, all-encompassing centre that allows high intensity training, strength and conditioning, physio/ERI rehabilitation, reconditioning PT, and combative to be performed under one roof. This will be a quantum leap forward in current capability. Furthermore, plans are in place for a fast rope gantry
and a running arena which will allow for various forms of running sessions to be performed.
In summary, the Army, and this unit in particular is stepping up its global role to counter an unpredictable enemy, therefore, it is recommended that human performance be a key focus to develop personnel within every Field Force Unit to maximise manpower. The exciting implementation of the OPP is a constantly evolving, research driven and future focussed programme. It is expected that this initial research and development will enhance the global performance of Operators’ and Commanders’ belonging to this elite airborne group of personnel.
MOD St Athan AAPTIs
1ST BATTALION THE RIFLES – CHEPSTOW
A/SSgt (A/SSI) G Bruce RAPTC
“RIFLES.......FIRST BATTALION” It’s the small differences working in a RIFLES Division Infantry Battalion (Bn) that add to the prestige of working with a unit like 1 RIFLES.
Bringing up a parade for the Commanding Of cer and switching to RIFLES light drill, ensuring not to do any foot stamping in front of the whole Bn stood on parade can be daunting at rst but doesn’t take long to get into the swing of things! I have now been in the Bn for 6 months, where 1 Ri es have just ended its long standing (18 months) commitment to Operation SHADER and the unit has made me feel as welcome as every Ri eman in the Battalion (Ri eman being the collective term to all attached Arms and Ranks within the Battalion).
The Battalion UFTO, being a fanatical tness enthusiast (beast) and one of the top cyclists in the Armed Forces (Maj R Hunt), soon tasked me with reinvigorating sport, AT, Commanding Of cers’ PT, and to get inter-Company boxing up and running again! A very busy start to life in the Battalion!
The unit FOE, like most busy Infantry Battalions, makes a PT programme very dif cult to survive rst contact! With constant individual exercises on the go for each Coy, trying to ensure a thorough programme of build-up training for their main effort of deployment doesn’t always go to plan. B Coy in particular have a challenging PT programme, preparing them for Ex MAYAN WARRIOR in Belize. The programme is all the more dif cult, due to the short preparation time they have until they deploy. They
have also had to organise and support the Fire Team Commanders Course to prepare the next line of JNCOs which has utilised every Rfn in the Coy. The one time I do get the Battalion all together however is Commanding Of cers PT every Friday.
Commanding Of cers’ PT is always fully supported and well attended, with large numbers waiting in anticipation to what the gym staff has in store for them. Unfortunately, we are limited to the surrounding area, with no real military training estate close by, but the MT supports us well with coaches to take us to some of the most picturesque (and hilly) places in South Wales. As you can imagine, this becomes a logistical nightmare but well worth the effort, as it gives the unit something different to look forward to every Friday! Luckily there are some outstanding areas on offer for us to utilise including the small village called Tintern which provided the Battalion with one of the most demanding 10km routes available, the “Tintern Trott” where not even our Cross Country team secured good times!
During the Xmas week, we managed to get in a unit ‘Tough Mudder’ event using the iconic Chepstow Race course. Risk Assessments were heavily checked here due to the obstacles being used and the potential of dropping off a very, very, steep descent into the river Wye! There were no such injuries to worry in the end and all that participated enjoyed a great day out of camp.