Page 69 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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HEADQUARTERS 3RD (UNITED KINGDOM) DIVISION
WO1 (SMI) G R Halliwell RAPTC
‘THE IRON DIVISION’
Ihave now been working within HQ 3rd (UK) Division for nearly 8 months in a newly established RAPTCI post directing Health Promotion throughout the Division. I have been working closely
with the SO2, Maj (MAA) Jim ‘Junior, Golf’ Darby RAPTC, who has now departed the Army after 28 years’ Colour Service and is now on Termination Leave pending his relocation to Canada. ‘Jim from the gym’ will certainly be missed around the corridors of the Headquarters and everyone wishes him well.
As Maj Darby was leaving for pastures anew, he left the PD desk in my safe, capable hands for the next six months. He did however manage to conduct an extremely swift HOTO with Capt (MAA) Eddie Williams RAPTC who will arrive at the Division on promotion from HQ 160th Infantry Brigade and HQ Wales. He will take the reins to help steer and advise the Division on the Physical Development front into the Army 2020 Re ne era. Capt Williams and I are old acquaintances, having served together in B Company 3 PARA prior to joining the Corps. How the world goes round. I can de nitely see my brew making skills being honed by the ‘king of coffee’ once again! The Headquarters itself has migrated into three main functional cells with PD rmly positioned in the ‘Personnel’ department after a brief 4 month visit to Future Operations (FOps). However, as is commonly the case, PD covers the gap between all the supporting branches enabling the department to be exible enough to work anywhere.
The pace of life at the Divisional HQ can be extremely hectic, particularly for those that fall in to the Advanced Headquarters which are at R2-R4 levels of readiness in accordance with the Army Readiness Order. Any periods of slightly slower tempo are quickly lled with other essential activities such as MATTs and normal Divisional business and exercises. However, during my
Maj (MAA) Jim Darby RAPTC handing over to Maj (MAA) ‘Eddie’ Williams RAPTC as the SO2 PD Headquarters 3rd (United Kingdom) Division
short time in post, I have been able to reinvigorate the Iron Trophy Sports Competition which enables members of the HQ a couple of hours a month, (usually on a Wednesday) to get away from their DII terminals to play sport in a competitive inter-department competition.
The 4 Brigade SMIs and unit RAPTCIs amongst many of their normal (and numerous) responsibilities have been kept especially busy this year ensuring that the GOC’s annual Challenge Cup Competition is fully supported by all Divisional units and the results are collated ready to be announced at the Divisional shooting Competition at the end of May 17. You can read more from the Bde SMIs and unit RAPTCIs in their relevant regional sections. Until next year.............
HQ SW
1ST REGIMENT ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY
SSgt (SSI) LL Brimble RAPTC
Ihave now been with the Regiment just under 2 years which has own by and I can honestly say that this is a fantastic Regiment to work with. When I rst arrived in July 2015, I inherited a small
team of 8 AAPTIs. One of the most rewarding parts of my job has been developing and preparing soldiers for the AAPTI course and when they complete the course, this gives me a real sense of achievement.
This has also meant that the unit now has a team of 17 AAPTIs and by way of continual development it is great to guide and assist PTIs into the Corps such as Sgt Ficken, who is currently on Class One Course. He was my senior AAPTI when I rst arrived at 1 RHA and assisted in developing and mentoring the potentials which I think also developed him into a better Instructor and helped him prepare for RAPTC Selection. Sgt Ficken is due to pass out in Aug 17.
The gym here in Tidworth was previously an old guardroom; for oor space we share a gym hall with RTR and KRH. A bid for £40,000 was kindly granted by Regional Command (RC) and the gym has now been lled with brand new equipment. 1 RHA tness suite is not the largest facility so the selection of functional equipment has been utilised to account for the lack of space.
Gym Staff