Page 135 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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MY FIRST TERM
THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY SANDHURST (RMAS)
Sgt (SI) Mortley RAPTC
14 Dec 2018 is a day that will remain as an extremely proud moment within my Military career, as all RAPTCIs will understand, completing that final neck roll during the
gymnastics display and completing the transition from RLC to the RAPTC is a great achievement. The first step of my RAPTC career is one of excitement and anticipation, the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. As I took my first steps into the famous Montgomery Gymnasium I was ready to start all over again under the guidance of my syndicate leader, SSgt (SSI) Wilson RAPTC.
Just as I’d placed my beret on my desk, I was given “Gaza Company” to guide and mentor through the demanding RMAS syllabus, becoming familiar with Barossa training area along the way and implementing the APTS. Equally as challenging was learning the vast amount of abbreviations and adjusting to the tempo of RMAS. Just as my head was beginning to poke through the water, we then tackled the trial of the Soldier Conditioning Review, Role Fitness Test, Entry, Basic Training and Soldier.
Like everyone else, I’d heard the horror stories regarding RMAS, constant weekends, late nights and the classic “You’re a glorified AAPTI”, yet I’ve found these stories and myths to be out of date and highly inaccurate. Opportunities are always on the horizon at RMAS, including hosting the Dutch Army for the “Breda Games” and the French and German Army for the “Tripartite Games” all of which gave me a valuable insight to high level organisation, and wider working relationships. The final hurdle of the Spring term is always the RMAS Boxing show, 1 week of set up followed by 1 hour to collapse.
As the Spring term comes to an end, the first question I ask is, where has the time gone? Secondly, what have I learnt? The learning curve has been gradual and controlled, allowing a strong basis for development and learning throughout the whole term. As a result, I am in a strong position to become an essential part of the team here at RMAS to continue my development as an RAPTCI.