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THE TOUGH GUY 2013

Sgt (SI) V Blackburn RAPTC

I
n January 2013, 10 members from the
ASPT willingly participated in the Winter
Tough Guy 2013. Tough Guy is staged
over a course of eight country miles. It

consists of a gruelling mud run followed by
a ‘beasting’ through the killing ields assault
course – not forgetting the barbed wire, cuts,
scrapes, burns, dehydration, hypothermia,

acrophobia, claustrophobia and electric
shocks! All 10 competitors maintained high
spirits in the days running up to the event,
even though the temperature had dropped

dramatically from the snow and their was no
break in the weather.

Stood on the start line, the atmosphere was
electrifying with the hussle and bussle of

5000 competitors from all over the world, all
with the drive and determination to attack
the course. Only one problem though, we
were stood in front of all 5000 competitors!

The race began with the explosion of the
cannon and it was no shock that an odd
one or two team members were taken out
by the herd of competitors that came sprinting down the hill like a a well deserved hot chocolate and biscuit. A simple, but genius

thousand gazelles. Nevertheless, all the team fought dramatically concoction that faded the aches and pains from tunnelling through
hard to regain a position at the front of the crowd in readiness for scattered electrifying cables, wading and submerging through,
the gruelling onset of each obstacle. Each obstacle was cleverly and under icy cold water, and passing through iery hay bales.
placed strategically around the course and tested the competitors All in all, a fabulous but challenging day was had and every team

both mentally and physically. This called upon a strength of will thoroughly beneited from the experience. Bring it on next year!
that pushed you until the inish line where you were greeted with

THE ARMY SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL

TRAINING (ASPT) – GERMANY

INSPIRING FUTURE RAPTCIs

Sgt (SI) H A Heycock RAPTC

I
was posted to the ASPT (G) in December Physical Training within the Army and the Being professional within your role is of
2011 taking over from a very inspirational majority are really keen to learn!
paramount importance, knowing that the
instructor (SSgt P Smith RAPTC), since
AAPTIs look up to you, and respect your
arriving my feet have not touched the The Army’s Values and Standards play a instructional ability makes you want to get

ground. My role within the ASPT (G) is key part of my role here as an Instructor the best from your students. Working
Section Commander, producing AAPTIs to at ASPT (G), I ind myself licking between within a small team at the ASPT (G) you
be the future of the RAPTC, the aim is to them within a day teaching the AAPTIs. can use each other, and this enables you
getthemtothehighestlevelpossibleso Making dificult decisions without todrawfromotherpeople’sexperiences,
they can deliver Physical Training to the consulting anyone or stepping back and and knowledge to ensure you perform to

Field Army here in Germany.
encouraging the students to make their the best of your ability.
own decisions is part of assisting them to
Most of the students arrive at the grow as instructors and a team. This has It is also quite humbling knowing that
ASPT (G) having encountered various shown, as throughout my year within the we are producing the next generation of

experiences ranging from Operations ASPT (G) as a Section Commander I have RAPTCIs and mentoring those that wish
to normal Regimental life; they already won three consecutive Flag Competitions.
to transfer. As it only feels like yesterday
demonstrate a vast understanding of
I was on my PTI Class 3 Course wanting
to be like the instructors working at the

School of excellence, either in Aldershot
or Germany.

In Summary, working day to day at the

ASPT (G) can have its challenges but
seeing irst hand an inexperienced, quiet
individual develop into a thrusting AAPTI
makes it all worthwhile.