Page 7 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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Brigadier John Donnelly for their wise council, support and guidance throughout my tenure as Head of Arm and Senior Master at Arms.
Time stands still for no one and so much has been achieved in a short space of time, but what pleases me the most is the manner in which things have been achieved; by total engagement with wider audiences at all levels working collaboratively for a common goal. I certainly think the Corps has turned a corner in the way it conducts its business, extremely professional in its outlook and with a new generation of talented individuals coming through.
Each generation should be better served than the last and I am con dent that is the case today. We have some really talented Of cers and instructors coming through the ranks who will bene t immensely from the work that is being undertaken to rede ne what and how we train. I am convinced future instructors will be better trained, better educated, better quali ed and better prepared to deliver quality, effective PD to the Army.
The work that is in train can only help to create an environment from which we can build our long term sustainability, but there will always be challenges as we have heard recently at the Commandant and SMAA Study Period and whilst I am con dent we are well placed to fend off such challenges, we cannot become complacent as we may have been in the past. We must be prepared to tackle whatever comes head on when the need arises, for now I am more than con dent the Corps is in good shape, moving in the right direction and preparing for the long term.
I will not touch on the detail of what the Corps has achieved this year as it will be covered in the Headquarters narrative from the SO2 P&P Maj Mark Lewis, but I will touch on a couple of successes that will, I hope, stand the Corps in good stead going forward:
The General Staff Courses
The Headquarters has continued to support the development and delivery of Army capability contributing to CGS’ Intent to regenerate the General Staff. The introduction of the new General Staff Induction Course, with the pilot course delivered in December 2015 and the Army Generalship Programme, the rst course being delivered in May 16, enables the wider role and work being conducted by the RAPTC to be articulated to the highest echelons of the Army. Both courses will improve senior of cers’ knowledge and understanding of physical and mental wellbeing and resilience as part of the ‘Health agenda’, and will contribute to operational effectiveness.
Research and Development
The creation of the RAPTC Research and Development Cell ensures that the Army (in the form of the RAPTC) is at the forefront of physical development and resilience capability. The rst task was to engage in the emerging Army Personnel Research Capability, as part of the Women in Ground Close Combat programme. The next task was to link us with sports NGBs and understand what research other armies are undertaking. In addition, we secured the employment of a Strength and Conditioning tutor to ‘pump- prime’ this capability into the RAPTC Instructor course. The next step is to grow the Cell by two, a WO2 and SSgt; work is in train to achieve this by 2017.
Education
Closely tied to the R&D Cell, the creation of the BSc programme, which will allow ve SNCOs to embark on in-service BScs annually, is a huge step forward for the Corps, who without doubt is at the forefront of Continued Professional Development across the Army. One SNCO will study full time as we have two ‘study’ PiDs on the REM; the remaining Four will study part time. The objective is to identify and develop SNCOs with the potential to gain a commission and undergo the MSc programme in the longer term.
Manning
The HQ RAPTC Manning Brick has continued to manage transition towards A2020 liability targets, reduce gapping and improve recruiting: I anticipate that the RAPTC will be fully manned from Apr 16. The HQ has also continued to develop the (Reserve) Concept of Recruitment, Training and Employment (CONEMP) in support of FR20 and we welcomed the rst home-grown Reserve PTI, Sgt Snowling into the RAPTC in March this year: he will complement the existing 13 who have transferred from Regular service. Filling the remaining 43 of the 57 posts and 2 x Of cer posts will be a challenge, but I am optimistic that we can achieve full Reserve manning by 2020.
RAPTC Association
The Association Executive Committee appointed three new Trustees, Maj Mark Field, Maj Bob Whitaker and Tom Parker, during the past 12 months to ensure the Association is run in accordance with our charter and Charity Commission guidance. Our main source of income remains the ‘Days Pay Scheme’, which continues to be well supported by the vast majority of our serving members. The Association expenditure is in a very healthy state, owing to the diligence and scrutiny of the Regt Sec and we continue to provide welfare and benevolence grants for both serving soldiers and veterans alike. In Sep 15 we held a successful commemoration service at the RAPTC Memorial within the grounds of the NMA and in Oct 15 over 40 veterans attended the nal pass-off parade at the Army School of Physical Training (Germany) to mark its closure after 70-years of service to the Corps. Our Association members continue to provide a strong presence at the annual Remembrance Services across the country.
In closing the door on both my two and half years in tenure as the Head of Arm and 37-years’ Service to the Crown, I can think of no better place to have served or from which to nish. Throughout my tenure I have always had the best interests of the Corps and its people foremost in my thoughts and try to ensure that everyone reaches their true potential. I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by a great team within the HQ, both past and present all of whom I have thoroughly enjoyed working with; for your hard work and support I cannot thank you enough, the challenges were an experience for us all. I consider it a privilege to have served the Corps as the SMAA and wish every one of its members all the very best of good fortune for the future and in handing over in May 16, I wish Lt Col (MAA) Tom Scarr RAPTC all the very best for his tenure as the new SMAA, I know the Corps will be in good hands.
Thank you and God speed to you all.