Page 148 - MBS 2022/23

146
www.raptcassociation.org.uk
As I write this latest submission for Mind, Body & Spirit, another chapter closes in the career of the RAPTCI. Days rather than weeks left of my time here at the Defence School of Policing & Guarding (DSPG) and it is a short hop across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland. It has, however, been another thoroughly enjoyable year on both a professional and personal level.
The training year started in good fashion on a personal level, I found myself in the enviable position of organising the RAPTC overseas football tour to Toronto, Canada. 24 RAPTCIs enjoying that lived experience in one of the world’s great cities. Luckily, we were able to call on the assistance of an old school friend by way of ex Newcastle and Scotland international footballer Steven Caldwell. This helped give the tour that little bit of panache given the former Toronto FC skipper has a contact or two. Some great football and fun experiences, 12-days that will hopefully live long in the memory for all.
WO2 (QMSI) C Wood RAPTC
DEFENCE SCHOOL OF POLICING AND GUARDING
WO2 (QMSI) Wood & the victorious Service Police 6’s winners, DSPG
Closer to home and Southwick Park continues to thrive, the announcement that the site is no longer due for closure has really seen a positive upturn in morale. Infrastructure and project plans are now back in the melting pot and with great physical, recreational and welfare projects all lined up. The new incumbent,
WO2 (QMSI) Danny Wooldridge, will hopefully have plenty to get his teeth into. As he stays on the Southwick patch due to his current role at Thorney Island, it feels like handover / takeover has been taking place for the last 12-months, therefore no bedding-in period required Mr Wooldridge, standby-go as they say.
As above, the year started in style, we finished it in the same vein with the reintroduction of the Service Police 6’s Football Competition. I understand how this looks, I do other stuff out with football, honestly. The annual tournament took place for the first time since 2019 and we had over 200 Service Police personnel congregate on Southwick Park for a great event. It was nice to lead the DSPG male team to the championship title, with the RAF ladies team picking up the female honours.
It has been an extremely interesting few years in post, learning my trade as a new WO2 and getting a real insight into what life in the Service Police is all about. Seeing the Joint Service trainees develop physically and mentally has been a really rewarding experience and better still, I managed to get through my time without being tasered, cuffed or hit with a baton – mission achieved.
WO2 (QMSI) Wood & SSgt, soon to be Mr Leng, pulling on the boots for one final time vs Canadian Army
The new QMSI looks slightly suspect