Page 45 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

Following my Class 1 training with course 211 finishing in Dec 17, I was posted to a Tri Service establishment at Northwood HQ. This was the first time I’d worked in such an
environment, but I was very excited for the opportunity to develop myself as a new RAPTC Instructor.
My first year has been a challenging, yet educational experience. It took some time to become familiar with how a Tri Service establishment operates compared to a field unit and learning the different standards required by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy including the Royal Marines. Once I got settled into the job and the unit, I took over the unit’s CO’s Cup competitions which are run every month. I also volunteered to run the unit health fair in Feb 18. The theme was ‘stress’, and there was a very good turnout on the day, so the event was a big success. Another task I volunteered for, was to organise the unit’s family’s day on Apr 18. This was a big event in the Northwood calendar and a great way to establish myself within the unit.
In my first year, I also set up a Barbell class; this is to coach people on the correct lifting techniques, and to ensure they are performing them correctly. This includes, the back squat, deadlift, bench press and shoulder press. Once we have mastered those movements, we will then introduce the more technical lifts in due course. I was also able to get a Royal Navy powerlifter in to run a day’s workshop for the guys and girls to help them on lifting techniques and share her experiences. This has become a
Northwood HQ families day Jul 18
Northwood HQ Christmas its a knockout 18
43
NORTHWOOD HQ
Sgt (SI) M Bloom RAPTC
RAF vs RN Charity Boxing show 2019
popular class and I am hoping it continues. Eventually I would like to establish a Tri Service powerlifting team to enter competitions and represent Northwood HQ later in the year.
In Feb 19, Northwood HQ hosted a boxing event with several boxers from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Also raising money for charity, the final amount raised was £1200 which was split between two charities, St Mary’s Catholic School and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity. Like every boxing night, it was a great evening and a fantastic turnout with some great bouts throughout the night.
The forecast of events for this year is concentrating on implementing the new Army fitness standards into the unit and getting the relevant personnel trained and passed. We also have 40 personnel traveling to France on exercise Cockney Conquer for a skiing expedition to get personnel qualified on their Ski foundation level 1&2. Northwood will also be hosting another charity boxing event, where I will be OIC and we will hopefully have great support and turnout as last year. Barbell/Powerlifting classes will continue, so hopefully I will have a tri service team to represent Northwood HQ in the up and coming months.
To conclude, I have had a fantastic first year at Northwood HQ, with some great highlights and challenges and I am certainly looking forward to the events as they unfold in 2019.