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ADVENTUROUS TRAINING FOUNDATION CENTRE (ATFC)
Maj (MAA) PA McGregor RAPTC, Second-in-Command
ATFC Mission. To facilitate, deliver and support Unit and Individual Adventurous Training in order to contribute to the Army’s Force Preparation and Personal Development objectives, while meeting the JSAT principles and aim.
Adventurous Training Foundation Centre (ATFC), the new title for the organisation formally known to the old and bold as ATG(G), and ATFD as it was known when I came back into the organisation as the Second-in-Command. This post is E2 for those who might be interested although in the goodness of time may fall to the FTRS board (watch this space). Not to be outdone we also have Capt (MAA) Dougie Douglas onside as the Training Of cer and doing a great job, although he is going onto sunnier climes in Bristol at DE&S actually following in my previous footsteps. I wish him and his fantastic family the very best of luck where I know he will enjoy the challenges it will bring, as I did.
Now onto the post and some of the things we have been up to over the previous months. Since Apr 2016 ATFC has gone through a new name change with additional Wings (the new name for our excellent centres) that come under its command. By Oct of this year the HQ will be complete and located in Upavon, Wiltshire (Apr – Oct personalities will still be moving back from BFG, Sennelager where the sole employee will remain up until Mar 17, and that is Mr Len Volweck the Type 2 clerk).
In addition to providing leader awards, ATFC strives hard to provide Unit supported AT; in most cases, even being able to provide the instructional support that units seem to be struggling to ll. It commands six Wings (two of which are Joint Service) and are listed as follows;
• Joint Service Parachute Wing (Netheravon) – JSPW (N)
Exercise Georgian Bugle 11-16 Sep 2015
• Joint Service Adventurous Training Wing (Cyprus) – JSATW (C)
• Kiel Training Centre (KTC) (By Mar 17 KTC will have closed with the last course being delivered in Nov 16).
• Adventurous Training Foundation Wing (Inverness) – ATFW (I)
• Adventurous Training Foundation Wing (Castlemartin) – ATFW (C)
• Adventurous Training Foundation Wing (Harz) – ATFW (H))
By way of a quick plug to the organisation and how to nd out more visit our MOSS page or ATFC Intranet site for full details (just search out ATFC and the rest will fall into place).
The CO ATFC, Lt Col Simon Macrory- Tinning RLC asked if I was keen to lead an expedition into the unknown of Georgia (North of Azerbaijan, Armenia and South of Russia), not a place I was familiar with but knowing there were going to be maps and compasses I began to entertain the idea. It turned out we had compasses but the maps were actual colour photo copies that were left over from the Russian military occupation of the country and a mixture of printed maps found on the internet (true story, no real maps), that was it! What had I let myself in for as I committed to support 6 Ri es on their Adventurous Training Expedition from one end of the country to the other. This was going to be completed in two phases; phase one was led by WO2 (QMSI) Paul Miles RAPTC and phase two was going to be led by myself and the RSM 6 Ri es WO1 (RSM) Scotty Maunders (now commissioned – well done and many congratulations).
The expedition was a resounding success covering over 120kms from start to nish, getting lost, soaked, passing through very much unchartered territory, nding villages that were not on maps, as well as mountains with steep descents, not to mention ascents that were also not on the maps! All in all, the team worked hard (me
included) achieving something new with a British expedition having never been in this area previously; it was quiet amazing. The nal day topped off all expectations with a well deserved BBQ, an early night and then a trip to the local (walking trip, no transport – typical) waterfalls for a skinny dip by all concerned, no photos sadly due to the camera malfunctioning!
ATFC Farewell Dinner
What better way to bid farewell to ATG(G), ATFD and welcome in the move back to the UK than a sit down dinner in the NATO Of cers mess, Sennelager Training Camp. Invitations were sent to all who we could possibly think of, but only the hard core AT supporters committed to the dinner which included the whole team of HQ ATFD (prior to changing names to ATFC) which was excellent to see as it is never easy getting everyone together as we all know.
In true Adventurous Training style the boss (CO ATFC) surprised everyone with a opening address to the guests in fancy dress, which was a surprise, not to mention him being stood in the Offrs Mess with snorkel, ns and mankini (slight exaggeration on the mankini, but I think you get the picture). Either way it was a tting start to the dinner as all who attended enjoyed the excellent company, great food and wine. My son for the rst time dabbed on his suit and escorted his mum to the dinner walking tall and proud as his years of martial arts events and World title wins were discussed over the dinner table (you can see a little twinkle in his eye if you look close enough – World Champ Hapkido 2015, well done son)
With the dinner complete and removals packed for the HQ, the long haul to Upavon began with the RQMS, WO2 Stephen Beattie moving rst to get us all settled into Upavon, closely followed by the Chief Clerk, SSgt Sarah Hambleton and in close hot pursuit the CO, which was unnusual