Page 86 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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5 ARMOURED MEDICAL REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) A Woodman RAPTC
In my short time at 5 Medical Regiment the pace of life could never be described as slow. 5 Armoured Medical Regiment are tasked to generate and prepare suitably trained and equipped Force Elements (FEs) as directed by Commander 101 Logistic Brigade in order to meet contingency and regional commitments. The Regimental FOE is a Smorgasbord of activity, with numerous deployments and detachments including Oman, Kenya, Iraq, Estonia and BATUS, to name but a few.
After nearly 4 years as part of DPHC delivering single leg squats it was time to get my head round the APTS and implement it into a Regiment where the RAPTCI post had been gapped for nearly 6 months. Education and repetition have been key, but I think the troops are finally starting to see the benefit and relevance of the new way of conducting PT. The AAPTIs have been enthusiastic and proactive with their delivery and conduct during the transition and have been a real credit to the crossed swords.
The Regiment hold sport participation in high regard, and attempt to enter teams into events where possible, I’d already been recruited to the Regimental Cross-Country team prior to my arrival by the MTO after whispers on the grape vine that I knew my way around a muddy field. I also qualified for my first Army Cross-country vest in January and represented at the Inter service cross- country championships where I got made to look very average by some very talented RAF runners. Rounding out the Cross-Country season with a global warming confirmation day of 20 degrees in February for the RAPTC, where we just missed out on a medal in the Senior men’s event.
I have certainly enjoyed the change of tac from the ERI world to Mainstream and look forward to the next few years with 5 Armoured Medical Regiment.
6 ARMOURED CLOSE SUPPORT BATTALION REME
SSgt (SSI) S Smith RAPTC
In November 18 I was deployed to DUQM Oman to conduct a recce for the forthcoming Ex KHANJAR OMAN (Ex KO19). I was tasked with managing all PT matters on the exercise whilst also organising and running an adventurous training (AT) package for the CSS group. On arrival in DUQM it soon became apparent that the ability to conduct AT in DUQM was severely limited. This was due to the isolated desert and very limited scope to run any activities. Following on from my return there was a narrow window to source and plan, ready to deploy in Jan 19.
After the Xmas period, the CSS group deployed to Oman on Ex KO19. 6 Armd CS Bn REME were employed as the Theatre Enabling Group (TEG). We had a significant load on our hands, as routinely this was not an Armoured Close Support Bn’s role. My first priority was to set a stable foundation for physical training to
be conducted. Taking into account that approximately 900 troops would deploy on Ex KO19 it was imperative that any physical training conducted was done so in a safe manner. I achieved this by giving an in-depth RSOM brief on correct and safe training, thus ensuring that risk was reduced to a minimum for all activities. Having assured the PT process,I began organising
the AT package. It was obvious that it would not be practical to run the package in the DUQM AO, so I looked further afield to the area of Muscat where there were greater AT opportunities. This also allowed the British Army an opportunity to build a good relationship with local civilian AT centres for future exercises in Oman. After a period of planning and negotiating, I was granted authority to run a 2-day package for 340 Personnel, which included various water based activities and cultured visits from the central location of the wave in Muscat. Over each package troops encountered various physical and mental challenges. These developed individuals’ qualities of courage, determination and decision making, whilst also improving of their understanding of Omani culture and heritage.
Ex KO19 was a renowned success with troops developing their various trade/role skills in an unfamiliar region on the exercise phase, whilst exposing them for the first time to the challenges that AT can bring. This experience has been a great development tool and highlighted the great opportunities that Oman can offer the MOD. These opportunities should be expanded on and
fully utilised for future exercises in Oman.