Page 61 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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2015 proved to be a typically busy year for 3 Medical Regiment here in Preston, settling into routine following relocation from Catterick and building relations with resident units within
Fulwood Barracks, which is also home to HQ 42nd Infantry Bde and HQ (NW). From a PD perspective, challenges were diverse in nature, however, opportunities were plentiful as a result of this. The gymnasium itself is fairly antiquated and rustic (I found some old brylcream from one of the original Edwardians in the bottom of one of the lockers), however this provides opportunities as well as problems. A steady upscaling of equipment saw a comprehensive replacement plan of old equipment as well as augmenting and supplementing existing equipment. So, whilst our Gymnasium is not yet threatening to put Virgin Gyms out of business on an aesthetic front, we are very rich in terms of amount and quality of equipment, particularly given the relatively few numbers on site. Plans are in an advanced stage to build a new sports hall on camp which will be of huge value and increase participation in team sports within the unit.
Our key sporting aim in 2015 was to achieve success at the AMS Athletics championships which took place in Aldershot in July. This event was formed of 9 AMS units battling it out over a full Athletics programme. Whilst we were hopeful of some degree of success, taking 1st place in the female and 2nd place in the male categories was of huge satisfaction. The unit probably punched above our weight given fragmented and limited preparation for the event. This success was replicated in the UK North festival of sport where the male and female teams again secured the minor unit top prizes. On a personal note, I found myself tackling the middle distance events in both of these competitions and have reached the dif cult decision that whilst I won’t be hanging up the running trainers just yet, I may have to look elsewhere if my mantelpiece is to be adorned with any silverware! Is pool a synopsis Sport yet? The Regimental football team enjoyed some good results in the Yorkshire services league, the highlight of which was probably beating 2ITB from Catterick and thwarting their
seemingly inexorable march towards the league title. Great work and forethought from the football coach, Lt Toye, saw the team enjoy two overseas sports tours to Barcelona and Miami. A look ahead to 2016 sees the unit in committed year, therefore we will inevitably face challenges on the sporting front. Notwithstanding this, we are already entering a team in the Manchester Marathon, are providing representation in the Inter Corps cross country event and will be taking part in both the UK North Festival of Sport and AMS Athletics. An overseas marathon challenge is also in the embryonic planning phase following a successful Cyprus marathon adventure in 2015.
Exercise Askari Serpent saw the unit deploy to Kenya in September 15, with one of the aims being maximum participation in the Adventurous Training (AT) packages available. After much negotiation and dialogue between line managers and service providers we managed to process 104 pax through the 2 three day packages, which included white water rafting, gorge jumping, rock climbing, kayaking, MTB and hill walking (with which no AT package would be complete without)! I was in attendance at both in a supervisory capacity to ensure discipline was maintained and alcohol wasn’t consumed in huge quantities and morale was strictly policed! On a serious note, somebody had to attend both AT packages and who better placed than the unit RAPTCI. It’s a tough job at times!
As we now nd ourselves in our committed year, the operational tempo is greater than ever and it is not dif cult to identify the obvious threats this poses to the whole PD piece. Nevertheless, there is a real desire and appetite across all levels to drive PD from within and make sure that where possible we do our very best to facilitate and support sporting events and opportunities both internally and externally. This ethos, allied with the imminent construction of a new sports hall, can surely only yield another successful and rewarding year ahead on the sporting front for all within 3 Medical Regt.
SSgt Bowery casually catching a falling elephant!
3 MEDICAL REGIMENT
SSgt (SSI) G Bowery RAPTC