Page 78 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

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Ihave served nearly three years at 1 COLDM GDS which has been a privilege, serving such a fantastic unit and LONDIST. During this time I have experienced the demanding SSgt RAPTCI PD
role operating as the lead in physical training, rehabilitation and adventurous training.
This year saw 1 COLDM GDS take on the role of ceremonial duties and I have been busy keeping the soldiers ‘ ghting t’ with great support from the Commanding Of cer of 1 COLDM GDS. Within the ceremonial season the highlight was the Queens 90th Birthday Parade with 1 COLDM GD taking lead. There has been many highlights during my tour of duty including organising and executing the Household Division Athletics Competition the Lawson Cup. 1 COLDM GDS won the event and we look forward to defending our title next year.
The Commanding Of cer’s PT regime remains the focal point for the Battalion each and every Friday morning. The varied and high demanding level of tness continues pushing soldiers to their limits including strength functional circuits, endurance running and loaded marches. Success is shown with the excellent tness stats.
SSgt Loader Lawson Cup Winners
I will be moving on from 1 COLDM GDS and LONDIST during 2017 and would like to say a big thank you to HQ LONDIST for all the support they have given me during my time in post and look forward to my next challenging role.
1ST BATTALION COLDSTREAM GUARDS
SSgt (SSI) G Loader RAPTC
Istarted this job in January 2016 after completing a successful tour of RMAS and wow how time ies, now already a year into this tour. This is my rst experience in dealing with an Infantry
Foot Guard’s Battalion; with all RAPTCI jobs, it’s about nding your feet and trying to t in with the Regiment’s customs and way of doing business. I dare say none do it like 1IG and I nally feel a little closer to the Battalion.
The biggest challenge for any Foot Guard’s RAPTCI is acknowledging and understanding the importance of balance placed on PD within the con nes of the Public and Ceremonial Duties the Battalion carries out. Balancing this, with maintaining the appropriate level of tness for an Infantry Battalion, ensuring when on exercise the tness levels are appropriate to limit injuries is tough. This has been managed well resulting in t and robust soldiers successfully completing and arduous Bn Ex in Belize, Ex MAYAN STORM. My role for the exercise was the acclimatisation training and oversight of R&R. I have to say I made the most of the R&R role and would recommend the rum
cocktails! The exercise was a big success physically, out of 300 personnel deployed, 8 got sent home with MSKIs and only 4 heat casualties, which is a big achievement considering the harsh jungle environment and weight carried. This was a credit to the build-up training prior and the admin phases during the Ex.
During 2016 1IG have been successful in many sporting events within the LONDIST sporting calendar, standing out as a runner were the 5000m race within the Lawson Cup. That’s me on the way to winning! The team had other successes and it is one of my aims this year to win the whole competition and take the Cup off 1 COLDM GDS.
Into 2017 and the battle rhythm continues, the Battalion will be Trooping the Colour for the Queen’s 91st Birthday Parade which will be a fantastic event in itself, and there are 2 exercises in the pipeline, one to Thailand and the other to the Falklands Islands. I de antly know which exercise I will be trying to get on!
1ST BATTALION IRISH GUARDS (1IG)
SSgt (SSI) CS Williams RAPTCI
1IG Xmas Draw 1IG 5000m Winner SSgt (SSI) CS Williams RAPTC Beach, Belize