Page 33 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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Capt Davison & WO2 Swann (Lee and Lee) National Arboretum
ensure we didn’t get too comfortable in the of ce, the Chief of Staff tasked us to organise and deliver a challenging event for the Headquarters staff, both Regular and Reserve personnel. After some deliberation it was decided that we would run the 3 Peaks Challenge (Ex REDRAT PEAKS). 2 teams were selected and the training commenced. The event proved to be challenging but enjoyable, conditions were perfect with blue skies, snow at the top of Ben Nevis, the sunset on the way down from Scafell Pike was beautiful and at sunrise the view was stunning on our decent from Snowdon. Both teams did extremely well with the teams achieving sub 19 hrs and 21 hrs respectively, which was excellent.
With the new Brigade Staff now in situ and the Brigade Commanders intent well underway the PD Branch was asked to deliver a team training / building event for the HQ. It was decided
Capt Davison & WO2 Swann (Lee and Lee) Field of Remembrance
that a Staff Walk would be organised and the Tissington Trail was selected as the route. The event provided the opportunity for departments within the Headquarters to forge new links and foster team cohesion thus establishing the Whole Force Concept. The Brigade Staff Walk is now a permanent feature in the Forecast of Events and the next event is already planned for Apr 16.
Capt Davison and I found the time to visit the National Memorial Arboretum with 7X HQ and we also went to experience the Field of Remembrance in London.
All in all a very successful and busy year for the Deserts Rats “The Desert Rats”
Having spent the rst part of my career in the Infantry and having just nished a post with 1 PWRR
in Germany I knew this would be a busy post, but I can honestly say I haven’t seen anything like the tempo of work the Battalion and Brigade are at. Whilst it has been a million miles an hour it has been extremely rewarding.
I had only been with the unit for a week before cam cream was applied and I became part of CO’s TAC on Exercise Joint Warrior. This was the rst exercise as we entered into a year of Very High Readiness (VHR) on 24hrs notice to move. This was a great opportunity to get stuck right in and get to know members of the Bn outside of the camp environment and certainly put me in good stead.
SSgt (SSI) DJ Farrugia RAPTC
Throughout the year 2 PARA have been involved in countless exercises both at home and oversees carrying out a number of tasks whilst awaiting the call to deploy, something the lads are chomping at the bit to do. Being on VHR has meant PT has been tough to ensure we are ready for whatever comes our way, as we face the unknown. There are too many to list but a couple of sessions that stand out have been the ‘Bruneval Cup’ which is an Inter Platoon race over Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons carrying in excess of 80lb. Also a company triathlon event consisting of the PARA 10 miler and 2 miler back to back carrying full weight followed by a squaded 1.5 mile boot run in under 09:30....!
Despite being so busy, sport has not taken a back seat and we entered the
Army Inter Unit Boxing Championships. The rst thing I set about doing was getting some more quali ed coaches within the Battalion and set a date for the Inter Company Boxing. SSgt Tony Davies and Chris Bessy came down to Merville Barracks for the week and we got 20 soldiers through a level 1 boxing coaching course. There were around 70 boxers training at one time for the Inter Companies and after a great competition some were talent spotted and then moved into the Bn team, who are currently waiting for the quarter nal draw!
I went into my rst Bn Sports Board meeting and came out as The Cross Country / Endurance Of cer. There certainly was not a shortage of soldiers banging on my door putting their names forward. Since
2ND BATTALION THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT
PARA 10 miler
PARA 2 miler
Post Triathlon