Page 91 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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INFANTRY BATTLE SCHOOL (BRECON)
WO2 (QMSI) C Walsh RAPTC
‘Adapting to Change’
A busy period for the Infantry Battle School (IBS) with the transition to IBS 2020 on the horizon. A key focus point is the roll out and delivery of the Army’s new Physical Employment Standards (PES). To enable this, the Unit has recently commenced a completely different style of physical training using
the Army Physical Training System (APTS). Swapping long steady state running sessions for modular delivery of strength, power, technique and accessory exercises that are specific for task. This new system felt seamless with the staff at the IBS immediately taking ownership and embracing the improved methodologies of physical development.
The gymnasium sports hall is the only area losing space to make way for the new functional training zone that is fully equipped for the delivery of APTS. A typical training session with a strength focus, for example might consist of a front squat, an accessory exercise such as a single-arm farmer carry and a metabolic conditioning element lasting around 15 minutes. The myriad of exercises are important for the physiological development and directly transfer across to role requirements that are also tested in the Role Fitness Test (Soldier) (RFT(S)). After a few months build up training for the staff to ensure they were fully prepared, the IBS was able to conduct the very first RFT(S) for 60 soldiers with zero failures. Fingers crossed the statistics continue to remain the same for the foreseeable future.
‘Fancy a Mince Pie?’ On a frosty winter’s morning at the IBS, both civilian and military staff gathered on the main square for bacon and egg rolls (the perfect nutritional foods for what was to come). After loading onto what seemed like an endless stream of vehicles, we set off to Pont ar Daf car park at the base of the
highest point around mid-Wales, Pen Y Fan. The journey took no longer than 20 minutes and following this, all staff were hustled out of the transport for a ‘festive’ themed safety brief by none other than Santa himself. The walk to the 886m summit began, and as normal, the Brecon weather system did not fail to disappoint. With rain/sleet/sunshine/snow and gusts, the walk to the top became a quiet affair with many staring at the ground with hands in pockets (not that there were any views that were visible anyway). As we closed in to no more than 200m from the summit, a faint outline of a soldier and a table full of boxes could be seen. To the delight of all, and in true festive fashion, it was the RQMS with an abundance of mince pies for each of the staff (perfect post activity nutrition). Almost perfectly timed (as if booked through Sennybridge range control, at this point the clouds began to part, leaving nothing but sunshine and strong winds to be enjoyed. After a few lost berets and many photographs of the scenery, we turned about and trekked back to the base. The perfect way to start off the Festive period and a great year at the IBS.