Page 8 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
National Remembrance Services 2018 The Association was well represented at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on 8 November 2018. In commemorating the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day in 2018 the Association proudly paraded a full marching contingent at the Cenotaph Service and March Past on 11 November 2018; it also makes me proud to know that without prompting, several serving and retired members of the Association attended various remembrance services all around the world so thank you.
Remembrance Service at the RAPTC Memorial The biennial RAPTC Association remembrance service will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 14 September 2019 followed by a two-course sit down meal fully funded by the
Association. Details have been distributed and I urge you to attend what is a very special occasion for the Association.
Conclusion The Association provides a focus for all serving and retired Association members around the world; fostering and enhancing esprit de corps and comradeship whilst providing benevolence for those in need and welfare to enhance wellbeing. This does not happen by chance and I acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the Trustees, the Regimental Secretary and his assistant and unreservedly thank them for enabling the Association to achieve the objects of the charity thereby, preserving the traditions of the Corps, the heritage of the Association and ensuring the Association remains fit for purpose.
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I have the privilege to write the SMAA’s Foreword for this year’s Mind, Body & Spirit. I have often held the
position of a sub-editor or been part of the proof- reading team, but never did I anticipate that I would have the honour to contribute as the SMAA. I place huge importance on my role and will endeavour to fulfil my duties to the best of my ability.
Having only assumed the appointment in February 2019, a large part of the year was completed under the stewardship of Lieutenant Colonel Tom Scarr. Tom brought about significant change for the RAPTC during his tenure and the Corps is in a highly-regarded position thanks to his leadership.
Our Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General James Bashall CB CBE retired from the Army last year but still supports us tremendously and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Our Commandant, Brigadier Paul Cain MBChB MMedSci MSc DAvMed MFOM Late RAMC, was promoted to Major General and departed in late-summer, we thank him wholeheartedly for his support. Our new Commandant is Brigadier Edward Chamberlain, who has assumed the role with great interest and is already adding value through his wealth of knowledge and experience.
The journal is our archive, our living history, and we rely upon all Association members to capture, record and submit articles that ensure we continue to preserve those significant events that define us. This year is no exception and there are many articles that will add to the wealth of heritage recorded in the pages of Mind, Body and Spirit, for which I personally thank all those that contributed.
As I consider my recollections over the last 12-months, there are several which I would like to focus on. The first was the introduction of the Army Physical Training System (APTS) when it went live across the Field Army in April 2018. As part of Programme THOR, the APTS supports the RAPTC’s contribution to help reduce musculoskeletal injuries and increase deployability. Early feedback is extremely positive and our RAPTC Instructors have been exceptional in their application of the system. Secondly, the introduction of Women in Ground Close Combat (WGCC) opened every part of the Army to female applicants. This was complemented by a review of Physical Employment Standards (PES) for Close Combat roles (Infantry and Armoured Corps), which led to the introduction of new fitness tests. Finally, last year’s Corps Reunion introduced a new format based on the feedback from surveys. The Project Officer, Captain Iain Bareham, organised
an event-filled couple of days that accommodated a family feel. The revised and more relaxed format was deemed to be a great success and will be the basis for the next Reunion in September 2020.
The Corps is in good shape, inflow is healthy and we are well-manned. At a time when the Army as a whole is getting smaller, the Corps thrives and is forecasted to increase in size slightly to 438 Officers and Soldiers. I must also mention our Army Reserve and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) components who also add great value. We are steadily growing our Army Reserve strength where we currently have 34 of 59 liabilities filled.
One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is having the opportunity to get out of the office and visit units and events where I get to meet and talk with members of the Corps at all ranks. I also talk to many of their line managers, where I am pleased to say that our RAPTC Officers and Instructors are held in very high regard.
The work of the RAPTC Association, overseen by the Association Executive, is a vital component of the fabric that knits together present and past members of the Corps and our families. The lifelong membership earned by all those that have worn the crossed swords and crown means that there are friends, colleagues, welfare and benevolence should you ever need them. I must thank the Regimental Secretary, Gary Jones, for his steadfast and loyal support. I have also enjoyed immensely attending this year’s Association Branch Dinners, the Committees of volunteers that run the Branches and organise the annual dinners are truly inspirational and continue to pull out all the stops to make the Dinners a memorable occasion for all that can attend.
The RAPTC Museum, under the watchful eye of our Curator Eli Dawson, continues to improve its collection of exhibits and catalogue of Corps history, preserving our heritage for years to come. Eli has done much to promote and enhance the presence of the Museum and I commend a visit to anyone that is in the Aldershot area.
Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the Journal which was first published in 1920. At the same time we will enter the 160th anniversary of the formation of the Army Gymnastic Staff. So, again, there is much to celebrate. I hope you enjoy this year’s Mind, Body and Spirit and that it inspires you to put pen to paper and prepare an article for next year.
SMAA’S FOREWORD
Lt Col (SMAA) S D Collinson RAPTC