Page 166 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST
Lt Col (Retd) G Jones, Regt Sec
It is interesting how problems we face today have their roots in the past so I thought it would be thought provoking to reproduce the following article from the MBS published in 1937:
Extract taken from the 1937 MBS
PHYSICAL TRAINING IN THE TERRITORIAL ARMY
By Capt W A R Ames, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, GSO for PT Northern Command
“What has been good enough for our ancestors is good enough for us”. A Ef ciency of the Nation. It is now realized that the Nation at the present time is not as physically t as it might be and it has been suggested that the Army can help in a small way to improve this situation by
interesting the Territorial Army in physical training.
Before discussing the ways and means by which this interest can be aroused, I think it is necessary to study the circumstances under which the Territorial Army works. Firstly, it consists of a number of patriotic men who join in order that they may do something to make themselves ef cient to assist the Empire in a National Emergency. Secondly, it is an entirely voluntary organization and the work carried out is done in “spare time”. Thirdly, its members give up part or whole of their annual holiday to go to camp. From these three points it is obvious that any new subject must be made attractive, interesting and of obvious value towards military ef ciency.
Let us now consider the ways and means for starting Physical Training in the Territorial Army.
Firstly, it must be on an entirely voluntary basis, as it must not interfere to any great extent with the drills.
Secondly, it must be made clear to the men of the unit that by keeping t not only will their Army work improve, but also their everyday occupation.
Thirdly, it must be made attractive and interesting.
Fourthly, it must be kept a novelty as long as possible in order to allow time for the men to see for themselves the bene t they can derive from it; therefore, only one, or at the outside two, voluntary nights a week should be allotted.
Fifthly, a good instructor, either a PSI or a Territorial NCO should start the scheme so that it can get a good beginning.
It is admitted that there are a great number of dif culties which have to be overcome and it is necessary to consider these so that the whole question can be reviewed in a clear light.
The rst dif culty that is always brought to light is the question of kit, namely, shoes, shorts and vests. This can be got over in various ways. The simplest way, but not always the most feasible way, is to buy a certain number of complete sets if nances are available. Secondly, football shorts and jerseys, which most units possess, can be used, which would only necessitate buying shoes. Thirdly, units could have a few vests to issue to men taking part and let them work in their ordinary trousers and stocking feet – this is already done by a few units whose drill hall oors are suitable. If a few towels are provided for a rub down after the period is over, chances of chills are practically eliminated.
The next dif culty and probably the hardest to overcome, is the fact that the very words “Physical Training” make people quake in their shoes because they think that they have to perform exercises which will tie their bodies into knots and possibly strain muscles. I have heard it said that the man who introduced the expression “Physical Jerks” did more harm to the cause of Physical Training than anyone
could possibly imagine. My experience with Territorials in the past year has clearly proved the truth of this statement. The best way to overcome this ignorance and suspicion is by practical demonstration.
Fifteen centres have been visited in the past six months by a travelling circus to demonstrate the ways and means of the Army system of Physical Training and in all places it has been well received and voluntary classes started. Many places have not had regular infantry depots to provide recruits with whom to demonstrate, so it has been necessary to call on volunteers from the units and there has been no dif culty in obtaining them. The criticism that has always been given after a performance is that I have instructors who have had a great deal of experience and can get the best out of anybody, but surely there are as many good sh in the sea as ever came out of it?
Again, one frequently hears the view put forward that men, after a hard day’s work, have no energy or inclination to come and take part in further physical exercise. There is certainly something to be said for this, but Physical Training is designed to be a recreative tonic for a tired brain and not to tire out the body. Fatigue is due, in most cases, to monotony or lack of vitality in the nerve centres: muscular fatigue is not the most common form. If a recreative antidote to fatigue, in the form of voluntary Physical Training classes in Territorial Army drill halls could be made available and its value realized, then I think this argument falls to the ground. To give an example of this. A voluntary Physical Training class in an Industrial centre has been going twice a week for the past few months. About twenty miners came in eight miles to the class. Some were occasionally on “night shift” and of course then could not come, but they turned up again as soon as they were on “day shift”. The men became extremely keen and after a few weeks of effort they gave a very reasonable display at their local ower show.
Another dif culty that crops up is the question of equipment. A Great deal can be done without any equipment at all and with the addition of a couple of old mattresses from a second-hand dealer, more advanced work can be attempted.
Having put forward the conditions under which the Territorial Army works and the dif culties that confront Commanders in encouraging and introducing Physical Training, I should like to sum up with a few statements of fact and suggestions:-
1.Physical Training classes, at the moment, must be entirely voluntary.
2.It is not necessary to have the whole unit attending to make a voluntary Physical Training class a success. A Few men to start with will soon spread the gospel if the class is organized on attractive lines.
3.It is essential to nd a suitable instructor, who must be properly trained to conduct voluntary classes. This training can be given either in the camp period or at a command course.
4.It must be explained to the man that a t body is of no value to him as a soldier unless he can march, shoot and carry out his duties; on the other hand he is not an ef cient soldier unless he has a t body.
5.Something to work up to in the nature of a small display adds enormous interest.
6.Provide, if possible, a cup of tea and a biscuit to all participants after a voluntary class.