Page 93 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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After a very high tempo 14 weeks at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Christmas leave gave a great opportunity and a break in the programme for permanent staff at the Academy to unwind and venture into new surroundings. For some this also included a week Skiing in Oberstdorf, Germany. The Expedition named EX CADET PS LEADER was organised and led by the SO2 PD, Maj (MAA) Whitaker RAPTC and assisted instruction from WO1 (SMI) Sweatman RAPTC.
It was a great opportunity for various departments within the Academy to spend some quality time together. The Expedition consisted of various personnel from the PT Wing, 44 Sqn RLC, Ac HQ and a Plt CSgt from Old College.
After a direct ight to Munich from Heathrow, courtesy of British Airways, it was straight on the road to the Alpine Training Centre (ATC), Oberstdorf. We were met with a very warm welcome to the stunning lodge in the centre of Oberstdorf town. Although slightly dubious of the lack of snow on the ground, we were reassured by the lodge manager that the peaks up top would be ne and the pistes would be open. The SMI was also very pleased by the lack of snow on the ground as he could get his x of outdoor physical activity at 0500hrs each morning.
The week began with the expedition being split into 2 separate ability groups. The rst group would comprise of continuation training to L2 and above and the second group was given the opportunity to gain their SF1 under the direction of the SMI. After a very challenging rst day on the slopes with minimal visibility, we all hoped and prayed the rest of the week would clear up. However this did give us plenty more opportunities to try the delights of the café especially the homemade cakes and hot chocolates with extra cream.
From there on our prayers were answered and the sky cleared resulting in some fantastic skiing conditions. The SO2 focused on the group’s varied ability and adapted to each individual needs on the Slopes. We were given valuable ski instruction that bene tted us throughout the week.
I personally felt my skiing had improved tremendously and that was down to the tempo of ski instruction given.
After a team brief within the ATC, the evenings consisted of a stroll into the very beautiful town of Oberstdorf and a cold beverage in the Irish bar to chat about the day’s events. We had also been introduced to some of Germany’s nest steaks in the very authentic German restaurant. What with the group being predominantly RAPTCI’s we took full advantage of the 1.5 kilo T Bone with all the trimmings.
The skiing became more and more challenging in both groups as the week went on and at times, we were certainly ‘’out of our comfort zone’’ this is exactly what the group thrived on and was met with tremendous enthusiasm. A few individuals were also showing huge potential for being loaded onto their SF3, which would only bene t the Academy and the Field Force Army in their future posts.
Overall, the Expedition was a huge success with excellent ski conditions. It gave us not only, as a PT Wing, the opportunity to enhance our AT experience and competency, but a chance for us to spend some much deserved quality time with other departments within the Academy.
The ATC is a superb facility and the ATC Staff were absolutely rst class in every sense, leading to successful completion of the Expedition.
EX CADET PS LEADER
Sgt (SI) C Sharpe RAPTC
Ski Exped day