Page 47 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

As I sit here at 0545 hrs having just been stood down from a UK Ops call out drill, it must be understood that life within a Bde is not purely PD related. 11 Signal and West Midland Bde have a vast array of ADCON units both Regular and Reserve and it is with these that this Branch mainly associates on an Regional Point of Contact (RpoC) basis. Its OPCOM units outside of its physical boundaries steadily understand the PD Branch RPoC model and I will be glad when the message spreads!
Assurance and MS are the two most time consuming areas, ensuring you get to know those on whom you report, their units, requirements and constraints comes, in my eyes, rst. This is very closely followed by the assurance piece through unit advisory visits and, of course, PDIs.
The Reserve units are getting there slowly, the steady recruitment of Reserve RAPTCIs is a huge help and really making a difference. There is still so much to do; it is refreshing to see that FTRS and Reserve PT policies are being brought in line, one Army..well one day!
11 Signal and West Midlands Brigade have a great PT ethos lead from the top, the PT is varied but circuits heavy to encompass all and in general there is a good level of tness which is refreshing for an HQ environment. There is a huge amount of sport and AT going on within the Bde, guys are currently away skiing, have taken part in road cycling battle eld studies, race the sun and the FTC march and shoot competition. On top of this I
Capt Hames 11 Signal Brigade
WO2 Foley 11 Signal Brigade
Capt (MAA) C M Hames RAPTC
“LIFE IN A BRIGADE”
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was the rst time I could gauge just how much work lay ahead. The following day, the bid went in for the January 2016 RAPTC Selection Course 74.
I split preparation into three parts. My current role – overseeing PD in 7 RIFLES and lead PTI for 2 ATR D Coy – gave an invaluable chance to practise management and implementing policy, rather than just reading about it. There was revision; all the course handouts and notes from past courses and the RAPTC PT Guides; unearthing the updated doctrines and current policies. And then there were the speci c requirements for the course, not least the swimming and gym agility. These always had the potential to be problem areas; use of the gym and pool facilities at ATC (Pirbright) is gratefully acknowledged. A second pre-Selection brie ng course at Pirbright in November proved useful both as a benchmark of progress and also to con rm what the Selection course was going to require, both in terms of content and additional paperwork.
Perhaps inevitably, Christmas was a somewhat abbreviated affair with three weeks remaining until the course began. That is, three weeks to ne-tune PDR and AT log books and nal bits of
preparation; while still working at the day job, and looking after 7 RIFLES. And then the day arrived.
The Selection Course itself was no different for me than for my regular counterparts. The same rules apply - take each test as it comes, do not agonise over the past but move onto the next test. That and the advice from the initial brief - give it everything; leave nothing behind on the pitch. As one of the older members of the course, the endurance and gym agility components were always going to present their own, distinct, challenges; which they did. That said, my role in 7 RIFLES put me in good stead for the exam and interview. On the whole, I felt well prepared for the week although the pressure of any situation exposes areas that could have been better prepared; and this week certainly did that.
With the Selection Course behind me, it was back to the day job, and back to 7 RIFLES, but this time swapping the Ri es bugle for RAPTC crossed swords. This is going be a new way of working for all of us, and that will bring its own share of challenges and opportunities. I can’t wait.
11 SIGNAL AND WEST MIDLANDS BRIGADE
am ideally placed within striking distance of much of the local Army mountain bike downhill training grounds in Wales!
As Midlands Sport secretary it is great to see the level of competitions that are being produced. Sport is well and truly on the increase, the range of sports and their secretaries within the Bde sport concept make such a big difference and units should embrace this whenever they have a chance. Thanks go to the individual sports secretaries for their drive and determination great work and please keep it up!
In all, the transition to Bde life was easy thanks to the guidance of Maj (MAA) Ian Phillips RAPTC and others during my relentless time in HQ R Comd. I have a great team of RAPTCIs within this Bde, it is very rewarding and humbling to be in a position where individuals look to you for direction and decisions and you have such a pivotal role in their development.
Never forget where you came from but never forget what you are here for now.
Capt Hames - Army Downhill team fun!