Page 79 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

As I sit back to write about what the 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment (Vikings) and what I have been up to throughout the year, I stumble on my words knowing it is my last year with the Battalion. My 3 years will shortly come to an emotional end, I say goodbye to in my opinion the best ghting regiment within the Armed Forces and leave behind the most enthusiastic Vikings I have ever met.
Throughout the year the Vikings were deployed to several different countries around the world on short term training team (STTT) tasking; countries included USA, Kenya, Nigeria, Jordan, Bosnia, Oman, Falkland Islands, Bahrain, Mali and Gibraltar. There was not a single moment where all companies were present at the barracks. These STTT tasking’s made physical development matters within the battalion quite a challenge.
During this busy year and with minimal gym staff to manage the stations gymnasium, I was still able to host the LONDIST Female Festival of Sports; Reservist GOC’s Sports Trophy and of ciated at Army sporting competitions. As the clock ticks and my time draws to an end with the Vikings I would like to thank all my AA PTIs who helped host the Battalion Minden Day event. This event was a great success, with an early morning aerobic lesson, a kart race and then the Inter-company Tug of War to close the day. I
1 R ANGLIAN AAPTI
could not help but notice the aerobics instructors wanted to stand next to the RAPTCI; it must be his awesome physique!
Being a very keen sportsman and with Basketball particularly close to my heart, I wanted to prove to the wider Army and all the units within LONDIST and RC UK South, that the Vikings has the best basketball team. With some of our key players away on STTT tasking, an elite team was gathered to successfully defend our LONDIST Inter Units Basketball Championships for the third consecutive year.
Success like this does not come around easily and being the LONDIST champions we entered into the RC UK South Basketball championships. On the third day of the third month in the two thousand and seventeenth year, the Vikings were victorious in their games and won the RC UK South Basketball championships for the rst time. This was an immensely proud day.
As my tour comes to an end, I leave the Battalion with fond memories and proud of all our achievements. I also leave LONDIST and a group of RAPCTI’s who stand out as rst class instructors. I wish the Battalion all the best and hope they continue to prevail in sport and future activities; I also wish my successor all the best when in post.
1 R ANGLIAN UK South Basketball Winners
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1ST BATTALION THE ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) M Francis RAPTC
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MOUNTED REGIMENT (HCMR)
Sgt (SI) C Cumberbatch RAPTC
It has been another relentless year at HCMR and 18 months into my tour I am still surprised on a daily basis how hard the soldiers of this regiment work from dawn until dusk.
I realised on my arrival it is very important to fully embrace the ‘Cavalry’ culture and tradition; this means you lose all your PTIs to the daily regimental commitment of the Queens Life Guard. The working day commences at 0545hrs and individuals will be in the stable until 1800hrs, for nal stable inspection every day. The PTIs work tirelessly around their stable routine and I’m proud of how much they have progressed and grown as individuals.
The unit has the privilege of escorting HM The Queen at numerous high pro le events in London, the Queen’s Birthday Parade, Trooping the Colour, Lord Mayors Show, Major General’s Inspection and the Annual State Visit are but a few of the countless parade’s that the regiment are entrusted to assist. On top of this the regiment have a duty to send Cavalry Men to Buckingham
Palace a few times a month on tasking’s called ‘Investitures’. Members of the Royal Family, VIP’s & of cial guests of the Royal Family are welcomed into Buckingham Palace; the soldiers will be in full state uniform at the entrance steps to the palace.
The RAPTCI role is rewarding and stimulating at HCMR. The soldiers are keen to participate in LONDIST sporting events PD and AT; you have to be proactive to try and facilitate as much leisure activity as possible around the stable routine which is very much the regimental priority. Every year Hyde Park Barracks moves to Bodney camp in Norfolk which gives an ideal opportunity to facilitate sport and host the CO’s Cup. This competition takes place over a 3 week period and combines Football, Volleyball, Softball, BAWF, Land Rover Pull and a Cross Country Event. The standard of sport is high owing largely to the strong rivalry and proud af liation soldiers have with their Sqns, this makes the competition a highlight of the year and always a success. It is also a good opportunity to spot potential sporting talent who may go