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BRITISH ARMY TRAINING UNIT KENYA (BATUK)
Sgt (SI) A Ward RAPTC
This past year I can honestly say has been the most beneficial and rewarding posting of my career thus far. Working within PCRF BATUK has provided some outstanding opportunities both personally and professionally.
The PCRF team is forever changing with the Physiotherapist being posted as Temporary Duty Staff (TDS), you can expect to see changes in staff every 3-6 months. Within my first year in post, I’d worked alongside four different physiotherapists. The Personnel at Risk (PAR) can be anywhere from 650-1600 when battlegroups are deployed, which significantly impacts the caseload.
Additionally, working alongside Maj (MAA) Yates and WO2 (QMSI) Stapleton, who are employed here in an AT & PD capacity, has afforded me the opportunity to learn and develop outside of the ERI role whilst also developing those AAPTIs who are posted out to BATUK.
This posting has truly highlighted how much RAPTCIs are force multipliers. It has seen me organising events such as the WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess Summer and Christmas functions, Unit health fairs, blood donation events to support local hospitals, to being deployed on exercise in Observer, mentor and Exercise assistant roles.
Finally, other opportunities this posting has provided were competing in activities like the Lewa Marathon, 10to4 Mountain bike race as well as sports tours to Mombasa. Not forgetting the opportunities for my family to experience different cultures and see the wildlife here in Kenya are undoubtedly experiences they will remember forever. I would have no hesitation in recommending this posting to anyone.
RAPTC personnel in Ngare Ndare, a lush indigenous forest at the foothills of Mt Kenya.
PCRF ALDERSHOT
Sgt (SI) L Kelly RAPTC
BATUS PRIMARY CARE REHABILITATION FACILITY (PCRF)
SSgt (SSI) M Norton RAPTC
This is my second year serving within the PCRF, the year has been challenging, but I have enjoyed every minute, working alongside a joint medical team within the medical facility gives you a wider perspective on life. The department is situated within the medical centre on the Canadian Forces Base Suffield. It’s been a demanding job at times due to many of our staff members having to cover multiple roles because of reducing staffing levels or long-term sickness. I have had to cover practice manager for 7 months and on occasions reception duties. The department’s only serving physio has also had to cover PCRF Sennelager for four months. Unfortunately, in this upcoming year, the physio job has been relocated to support the wider Field Army. However, through all the upheaval we have managed to deliver rehabilitation to a wide variety of service personnel, ranging from sprains to surgical interventions. Over the year we have had an influx of temporary staff and exercising troops, all with varied management plans, from acute to long- term rehabilitation.
5 RIFLES was the first major unit to conduct an exercise in Canada since the start of the Pandemic, to see the activation and the capability the unit has of delivering a battle group level exercise was impressive. Amongst all that has gone on within the unit, we managed to celebrate 50 years of collaboration with the Canadians and conducted a week’s long celebration, hosting a rodeo event, family’s sports day, veterans’ day and multiple regimental evening celebrations.
As BATUS does not have a mainstream RAPTCI, I have also provided guidance to the chain of command in a variety of PD matters. To prepare the unit for the future, I conducted a Physical Training Leader (PTL) course in the Spring, training 9 Service Personnel (SP) and have successfully had 4 JNCOs complete the All Arms PTI course over the last year. Within the upcoming months I am planning to conduct another PTL course which will assist the unit going forward and support the delivery of the Unit’s Physical Training Programme (PTP).
Over the last year I have managed to achieve multiple sporting and physically challenging events. I have conducted a 200km cycling event over the Rocky Mountains, participated in a Calgary 7’s Rugby Tournament, participated in a Banff to Jasper relay team where 15 SP completed the 280km road run, assisted a team of 24 SP to Cycle 7000km - the distance from Calgary to London at the same time it takes to enter and leave the Airports (14hr 35), hosted 2 x Swimming Gala’s and have stepped in as an emergency goal tender in the local hockey league.
My family and I have learnt to ski/ snowboard and have been on multiple once-in-a-lifetime adventures; our greatest, a road trip to Las Vegas and flying to Hawaii. We have plans for a cruise up to Alaska for the upcoming year and a trip to Yellowstone National Park. I have also signed up for an Iron Man for August 23.
Avery busy start to the year for the team and one which we have thoroughly enjoyed. Having only been in the role as the military ERI within PCRF Aldershot for a few months, it has been a steep learning curve. The team and I are responsible for delivering rehabilitation to a busy Aldershot Garrison.
As a team we have focused on improving our clinical understanding and requirement to remain current and competent by completing fortnightly in-service training packages and attending
regional in-service training sessions with surrounding healthcare establishments.
Only a few months in post, but in the future the team aim to build relationships with surrounding units and RAPTCIs to bridge the gap to enhance a service person’s rehabilitation.
In closing, I have very much enjoyed my time here so far within the PCRF. The team have a depth of skills and knowledge and it’s a privilege to be able to work alongside them and further develop my own skillset.