Page 64 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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Brigade, were held in the Cairngorm Mountain Range in early March 2016. The event as per last year was open to Regulars, Reservists and Cadets across Scotland, over 80 personnel competed in two disciplines Alpine racing and snowboarding. The Championships allow personnel to experience ski racing and snowboarding in Scotland and also provided an opportunity to introduce novice skiers and snowboarders to low level racing.
In closing I welcome the new WO2 (QMSI) Dave McColl RAPTC back into the Service on a FTRS Contract after a 5 year spell working within Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, he and his family are settling in well (as if he never left) and it’s great to have him, like a breath of fresh air. Thank you goes to all the RAPTC Instructors who have worked hard over the past two years, farewell goes to WO2 (QMSI) Neil Beattie who transferred to 7 SCOTS on an ADC Contract, SSgt (SSI) Graham
Laycock RAPTC who left the Brigade to join forces with the new team to develop the newly established ASPT at Grantham. Finally, I would like to congratulate ASSgt (SSI) Al Murray RAPTC on his well- deserved promotion to Substantive SSgt, well deserved and good luck with your new post to ASPT Aldershot.
2ND BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND
Now into my third year at 2 SCOTS and from the rst and second year the pace of Bn life has increased exponentially.
Over the last 12 month the Bn has completed all training and the deployment of Op Toral 2 (Afghanistan).
It has been some time since I had to don the full MTP and relinquish the blue jacket. Since I last did infantry work a lot has changed, with the equipment improving a great deal and having FOXHOUNDS to hand instead of using the mark 1 feet to travel everywhere, it was an enjoyable learning experience. I was also trained and utilised as watchkeeper when required on the training exercises and in the Ops room at Quargha.
Op Toral 2 was an 8 month deployment for the Bn instead of the usual 6 month, however due to the limited numbers of troops allowed in Afghanistan it was split into 2 four month rotations with A and B deploying from Aug – Dec 15 and C and Balaklava Coy deploying from Dec 15 till Apr 16. The main element from BHQ however did the full 8 month deployment and are in the process of arriving back and in a few days going on POL, getting some well earner rest and relaxation and spending time with loved ones.
For the deployment the company groups were split in locations with A and subsequently Bk being located in New Kabul Compound (NKC) with mainly our American friends, where B and C working out of Quargha and supported by our Australian counterparts, both locations had their pros and cons and I was fortunate enough to spend time in both locations, as always in NKC with the Americans the food was more plentiful and the facilities were a higher standard, with a Gymnasium you would be happy training in anywhere in the world. Although Quargha was not as lavish as NKC it was a nicer camp and had beautiful views of the Hindu Cush and a real sense of a home away from home, the welfare package was generally a good standard and more importantly the Wi-Fi was pretty good, on the odd occasion it went down moral took a hit as expected.
WO2 (QMSI) K Haniver, SSgt (SSI) V Blackburn and SSgt (SSI) R J Evans a Rose between 2 thorns Cam QAA
SSgt (SSI) R J Evans Op Toral 2
For myself out on Op Toral I tried to be the morale for the guys and push PT and sport as much as possible, through the whole deployment we pushed the Regional Command Indoor Rowing League (RCIRL) which I feel was a great competition as it allowed us to compete against the rest of the Army over 5000 miles away (although the altitude made it harder for us). I also conducted several international volleyball competitions in the warmer months and although the Aussies won the rst few, I can happily say the Jocks won the last comp so currently are the Quargh International Volleyball winners.
Over in NKC we also ran the rst Highland Games to be conducted in Kabul; this was competed for by the Danish, Mongolians, Americans, Mixed team and Jocks, although the Americans put up a good ght the Jocks walked away with the winners medals after a strong TOW performance.
SSgt (SSI) R J Evans RAPTC