Page 33 - QARANC Vol 20 No 3 2023

The Gazette QARANC Association 33
‘The pain was worth it to hear
those words: you’ve passed!’
Cpl Rachael Coote reports back on her experience of taking the 12-day Physical Training Instructor course, becoming the first female QA in her unit to pass
I joined 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital in 2017 as a student nurse and qualified as a staff nurse after two years. Since joining I always aspired to become a physical training instructor (PTI) which I knew would work well alongside my nursing role.
Exercise and helping others, has been a big part of my life. From being in the unit and taking part in exercise sessions and fitness tests, the PTI’s always showed their dedication and commitment to encouraging us to improve ourselves. I knew that one day I wanted to be a part of that team.
To apply and get a place on the PTI course, I was delighted and looked forward to getting started however there were some anticipatory nerves. The Army Reserve Physical Training Instructor Course took place over 12 days in October at Aldershot. Prior to commencement, there were hurdles to navigate: the Soldier Conditioning Review (SCR) and Role Fitness Test (RFT); not only passing these elements but achieving the PTI standard.
As a reservist, working full-time as a nurse in a busy NHS ward, I had to dedicate my time outside of work to training. I focused on the key areas of the assessment, which gave me the confidence and determination to achieve them. Alongside the physical requirements, there was online training consisting of the Health Trainer and PTI Pre-learning packages which provided an insight to the areas taught during the course.
The first four days of the course consisted of interim PTI fitness tests and standards which comprised of the SCR on the first day, Military Swim Test on the second day and RFT on the fourth. The fitness tests were completed in the morning and followed by lessons in the afternoon. The six key areas covered were: assisting the unit with the management of physical development activities; physical development related health issues; assisting in the management of the PRTC facilities; Army Reserve PTI responsibilities; optimising soldiers’ physical responsibilities; and physical fitness testing.
By the end of week one, we were given two instructional practices each in which we had to complete a risk assessment and a lesson plan. This is when the late nights and early mornings started but morale was maintained by helping
Rachael with the PTI swords after pass off parade
I was
delighted
when I
received my
certificate
Rachael at one of the outdoor gym areas
and encouraging each other. Before we could conduct the instructional practices, we had our online theoretical exam on the Monday morning. There was great relief within our section as everyone passed, so the focus could be put into the practical lessons.
My first lesson focused on hypertrophy training and the second was muscular endurance. We were given 40-minutes to deliver a warmup, main theme and cool down. Everyone had nerves prior to commencing but they dissolved as soon as the lesson began, and people’s personalities and passion shone through.
Following each lesson our PTI would debrief everyone so we could all learn from the feedback. It took four days to complete the instructional practices, from morning to the evening and by the end our muscles were experiencing the results of constant physical exercise. However, the pain was worth it to hear those final words: ‘You have passed the course.’ We were all ecstatic!
and the
embroidered The final day we enjoyed our pass off
swords which I will wear with pride on my uniform
parade and of the 40 personnel who started, 38 completed the course. It was an extremely proud day for us all as all. I was delighted when I received my certificate and the embroidered swords which I will wear with pride on my uniform. I am the first female QA within my unit to complete the full PTI course and cannot wait to put what I have learnt into practice!
Cpl Rachael Coote,
204 (North Irish) Field Hospital, Belfast