Page 12 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

10
www.raptcassociation.org.uk
ARMY TRAINING BRANCH – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Lt Col (MAA) S Appleby – SO1 PD
“And So the End is Near”
Lt Col (MAA) Appleby RAPTC Lt Col (MAA) Alhaji RAPTC
Situated either side of Monxton road, near Andover, sits Marlborough Lines, the road provides the divide between the South site the 4* Army HQ, where the Chief of the
General Staff can be seen on a regular basis and the North site where the 3* Fd Army HQ and Comd Fd Army resides. Monxton, Abbots Anne and Weyhill with their thatched cottages provides idyllic countryside surroundings with very scenic cycling and running routes for one and all, as well as a golf course and driving range to conduct more leisurely activities.
During the year the Directorate of Training (Army) has moved from the South Site to North Site and renamed the Army Training
(SO1 PD, SO1 PD Assurance, SO2 AT/Spt, SO2 PT and centre Col P Buttery (late RE)
Maj (MAA) Collinson RAPTC Major (MAA) I Phillips RAPTC
Branch in which Physical Development resides as part of Individual Training. I have had the privilege of serving within the PD Branch since February 2013 and we’ve seen a further change on the SO2 PT Desk where after a 3 month gap Maj (MAA) Ian Phillips replaced Lt Col (MAA) Tom Scarr, soon to be SMAA, who was selected to head up a PD related service enquiry. The SO1 PD Assurance, Lt Col (MAA) Sulle Alhaji and SO2 AT/Spt, Maj (MAA) Steve Collinson provide the continuity that keeps the ship on an even keel.
Life continues at a frenetic pace but we maintain a life - work balance smiling regularly as time ies by and so the end draws near for SO1 PD, Lt Col (MAA) Sheff Appleby! My balance has come from playing, participating and watching sport. Participating in a cycle tour to Brasse, in France, with a mixed group of cycling enthusiasts was my rst getaway. Where we managed to conquer 6 cols (the high point of a mountain pass) in 7 days. Although putting things into perspective whilst all of which have been part of the Tour de France, 3 of them will be ascended during one stage of the Tour this year! In addition at the age of fty four (54) yours truly managed to represent the Corps at Rugby (the oldest serving member to represent RAPTC RUFC), in every climatic condition possible, against Whitby as part of the NE Branch Association weekend, along with a great friend of mine Geoff Chapman (the oldest retired member to represent RAPTC RFC)! The annual pilgrimage to Twickenham and the Army v Royal Navy saw a great deal of socialising taking place by yours truly and meeting up with old friends provided further respite from the hectic environment of Army HQ.
The PD Branch is constantly challenged on policy, everyone has a view and believes they know policy as well as what they are
ATB Group Tour de Brasse