Page 68 - MBS 2022/23

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33 EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL & SEARCH REGIMENT
Having left my role as an ERI in July 22, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD & S) became my first mainstream
post as an RAPTCI. It wasn’t long before I realised how busy this small unit in the middle of the Essex countryside is. In 2022 alone, the unit had been deployed on 26 various Operations, Exercises and Short- Term Training Teams (STTTs) all over the world, from Ex ASKARI STORM in Kenya, Op NEWCOMBE in Mali and STTTs in Brunei, to name a few. Despite the constant stream of trawls, all impressions have been positive, an intelligent group with a good attitude to physical development, sport and adventurous training. The roll out of the My Army Fitness App (MAFA) has been helpful in maintaining overall unit fitness, particularly due to the busy nature of the unit.
Christmas provided a good chance to get together as a unit and unload after such a busy year and the station Christmas PT session provided the soldiers opportunity to be creative with their fancy dress costumes. The instructor-led group Zumba session highlighted some co-ordination issues within the Regiment which proved helpful when designing the Physical Training Programme (PTP) for the next training cycle.
The start of 2023 picked up where the previous year had left off, with more STTTs, and operational deployments. It was also the start of the first in-house All Arms Pre-Para Selection Course. Volunteers from the regiment embarked on an 8-week progressive build up programme led by Para trained PTIs and Staff in preparation for the All Arms Pre-Para Selection Day in Aldershot. Of the 16 that started, 4 volunteers passed and went onto successfully complete P Company. Due to the operational requirement of the Regiment to have
SSgt (SSI) L Beach RAPTC
Successful completion of P Coy. Left to right – LCpl Hardman, Sgt Blair, Sgt Pike, Spr Jones
Para and Commando trained personnel, this 8-week programme is now being run alongside the PTP throughout the year.
February saw the first Carver Barracks Wimbish Station Boxing night in over 5 years. Boxers from the 3 units in Carver Barracks (33 Engr, 35 Engr and 29 GSU) came together to put on a great evening of boxing. The 6 bouts provided excellent
preparation for the Corps boxing night which took place the following week.
With visits from our US counterparts, the 52nd Ordnance Group and the changing over of the Commanding Officer already this year, focus now switches on to the units upcoming Regimental exercise in June and the RE Games taking place at Chatham, Kent in July.
SSgt (SSI) Beach overseeing the outgoing CO’s final PT challenge
Members of the US Army’s 52nd Ordnance Group take part in a RHQ PT session