Page 83 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

Ijoined 154 (Scottish) Regiment RLC on 11 January 2019. The Army Reserve (AR) Regiment is new territory to me. I
finished regular service in May 2010, as the
Bde SMI at HQ 4 Mech Bde in Catterick,
after 23 years’ service. Upon leaving the
Army, I worked in the private sector (IRAQ)
as a Sy Team Leader then moved to be a
project manager and as a project operations
manager. After 3 years I decided it was time
to look for employment closer to home. I
secured employment with GE Oil & Gas in
Aberdeen, as a material handler for a year,
before being offered a position as a Civil
Contingencies Officer for the Scottish Fire &
Rescue Service (SFRS). It was whilst I was working with SFRS, I became aware of the position as SWOPD in HQ 51X in Stirling, a job I knew very well, having done a similar job several years earlier in HQ 1 (UK) Armd Div in Germany.
My time spent out of the Army until this point was 5 years, when I started work at HQ 51X “The Fighting 51st” as the SWOPD in January 2015, an FTRS position, on a 3-year contract. I felt energised to be involved with the Army again and working in the HQ in Scotland. My time at 51X was superb and I could not have had better support from the RAPTCI community.
Whilst out on unit visits as part of the PDA (PD audit) process, including visiting AR units, I became more aware of the RAPTC Reserve PID’s that are available on the RAPTCI CONEMP RESERVES. Having settled in Dunfermline in Fife, Scotland, with my wife and family, I made enquiries with the local AR regiment,
154 Regt RLC. They have never had an RAPTCI in the Regiment and were helpful and supportive, taking time to explain the process of joining the AR.
Upon completion of interview and paperwork, the transfer process between the HQ RAPTC and 154 Regt RLC was seamless and straight forward. 154 Regt RLC have a great work/life balance and a great attitude to PD and the fitness and wellbeing of their people. I have been in post for 8 weeks at the time of writing this, and I have seen a dramatic change in fitness levels and such a positive attitude to PT. The Regiment have fully
grasped the APTS, working with very limited PTE; we are currently awaiting the delivery of our PTE to carry out SCR assessments. PT for all regardless of employment is now part of the Regts BR and there is also a separate programme for the reserve officers and soldiers who have full time employment, including the lone soldier programme.
I have just returned from Cyprus on a recce for EX LION STAR 3 in May, I am away skiing to Austria next week, followed by an adventurous training package in Cyprus in May and a mountain bike AT package to Bavaria in August. There are so many great opportunities available working at your local AR centre. I was not aware of these, which is why I would highly recommend any RAPTCI’s coming to the end of their career, or anyone who has left, to visit the local unit or search for army reserve jobs in your area for further information.
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154 (SCOTTISH) REGIMENT ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS
SSgt (SSI) D McColl RAPTC
3 REGIMENT ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS (RLC)
Having taken over as the RAPTCI at 3 RLC in Jan 19, it has quickly become apparent how busy 3
RLC have been and are going to be on their planned forecast.
The main role for 3 Regiment is that of a Light Support Regiment (LSR) which provides support to several Brigade and Battle Group commitments and has a strength of 468 personnel now.
Over the last 12 months not only has
the unit provided a lot of support for
regimental commitments but have
done many extra curriculum activities also. 21 Squadron headed up the sub-unit commitments to cover Regimental Duties at Windsor Castle, St. James Palace and Tower of London in May 2018; and were commended on their professionalism and seamless work throughout their time in this role.
Following this, the regiment have completed Collective Training (CT) 1 – their annual infantry skills-based exercise in Jan 19 in addition to CT2 – which is a more skills-based exercise deployed on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) Feb 19. CT2 is the perfect time for ‘loggies’ to hone their trade specific skills – mainly being driver, supplier, communications specialist and command roles.
CT2 has had significant importance this training year due to the impending deployment to British Army Training Unit Suffield
(BATUS) to support Queens Royal Hussars around April through to August 19.
Focus being on the ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality, the Unit have participated in many sporting and charity events. The Regiment’s greatest achievement was that of the Charity Dragon Boat race held on Abingdon Tyne, which saw the guys and girls raise £1,700.00 for the Army Benevolent Fund and the Royal British Legion.
The Regimental Cross-Country team have seen four of their competitors selected for the RLC Team, which has been noted by the senior chain of command as a great achievement.
In addition to this, the Regimental Football Team currently sit joint 1st at the top of their league with 4 RMP whilst more recently, the 3 Regiment Boxing Team headed north to Ripon to compete in the inter-unit boxing competition with 6 Regt RLC – however this resulted in a 4-2 defeat.
Finally, even with everything else happening a good Regimental Skiing package was put on in Dec 18, Jan 19 and Feb 19 which involved trips to Germany, Austria and France.
SSgt (SSI) A Spencer RAPTC