Page 77 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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legends, WO2 Uno Ford, and SSgt Chris Williams; their 40+ years of experience will certainly pay off, especially with the launch of PES in Apr 19.
The Bde pace of life is high, but very enjoyable. My unexpected secondary role was a watchkeeper deployed on Ex SPECULAR 19 for 3 weeks on Salisbury Plain. Despite being in the depths of winter I swapped my white vest and trainers for cam cream and CBRN suit. The exercise was an enjoyable but cold experience, and as the SMI PD I found myself learning new skills across the board. Cap badge counted for nothing – I was straight into the thick of the tactical action!
Instead of just “work, work, work” we constantly strive to achieve a dynamic programme, and therefore I was tasked to organise some AT. Ex SNOW ACE deployed 20 members of the HQ skiing in France’s Val Thorens, where SF1 and SF2 qualifications were earned. At the same time nine members of the HQ deployed to Cyprus on Ex OCEAN ACE where they spent the week sub- aqua diving, earning Sports Diver, Ocean Diver and Dive Leader qualifications.
SMI Exercise Specular
SMI Remembrance Parade
It’s been a great start, in a very busy HQ, but the time has flown. The most satisfying reward is helping to develop all our RAPTCIs in what will be an important part of the Corps, especially considering the imminent introduction of PES.
WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess with Officers’ Mess
4TH BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND ‘THE HIGHLANDERS’ (4 SCOTS)
SSgt (SSI) C Pennington RAPTC
Having recently taken over as the RAPTCI at 4 SCOTS, I was hoping for a steady transition period. However, that was short lived. Within the first two weeks I was donning
my football boots (I laughed too) and represented the WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess against the Officers’ Mess in the annual Battle of Assay Day football match. Not only were we victorious, I scored the winning goal!
Concentration was then quickly turned to the Inter Coy and the Regimental Boxing nights, which were held one week apart. The Inter Coy boxing was a great success, with some tremendous valour been shown by all. We even had the pleasure of being able to host a female bout. We then dusted ourselves down and moved up to Edinburgh to host the Regimental boxing night in the Oriam Stadium.
Throughout the year 4 SCOTS hold several Inter Coy sporting events where the scores are recorded for the chance to win the Elgin Rose Bowl. One of these events is the much-anticipated Charles Morpeth Cross Country run. This year the Charles Morpeth venue was a gruelling route across the Yorkshire Dales
with the start and finish at The Tan Hill Pub (the highest pub in Britain).
As April fast approaches, we are busily preparing ourselves for the new fitness tests, with much of our concentration on the RFT(S), as we prepare to deploy on Op Toral early 2020.
SSgt (SSI) Pennington RAPTC taking a mass warm up