Page 116 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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JOINT SERVICE MOUNTAIN TRAINING WING RIPON

Capt (MAA) R Groves RAPTC

T
he team at Ripon has once again pulled out all the stops year. I thank the whole team for their support and dedication to
for me and have made being the OC a real pleasure. Jane Adventurous Training.
and the guys are the footings for everything that happens
within the wing enabling 100s of students to gain experience and On a truly personal note; I would like to thank Capt (MAA) Will

qualiications. My staff have put together a synopsis below which Pacter for his friendship and support during the last couple of
provides a brief insight into some of our exploits over the past
years without which I would not have got to wear the cap and
gown in front of Amanda and William at Northampton University.

THE JOINT SERVICE ADVENTUROUS TRAINING

NORDIC SKI TOURING SCHEME – REVIVED

Capt (MAA) R Groves RAPTC

This winter season 2012/13 has location of Skeikampen, 45 km north of when faced with the ine art of diagonal,

seen the revival of the JS Nordic Ski Lillehammer, Norway. The RMA Sandhurst skate and touring techniques, then the
Scheme after a 3 year absence and supplied 20 students and, as with all scheme would deinitely be robust enough
what a welcome return it has been. It took JSMTC overseas courses, the delivery staff for the JS populous.
months in the planning by a small team of came together from the various JSMTC

specialists who developed and designed wings. Personally, as I was to be the OC Not wanting to bore you, I have
the new Nordic Foundation 1 and 2 and during the main Norski 2 and 3 packages, summarised some of the training content
Nordic Leader 1, 2 and 3 courses. In order I also volunteered to be a student. As a which includes:
to facilitate the smooth introduction of Nordic ski novice, if the staff could train and • A recap of the basic central skiing

these courses, it was deemed prudent to coach me and a group of Oficer Cadets, theme (the stopping bit).
run a pilot course package at the new base
all of whom seemed to have two left feet
•Diagonal and Skate (the moving
gracefully forward bit).
• Day tours in and around Skeikampen

(practice and physical exercise).
• Adventure (navigating day and night,
hut to hut reindeer spotting).

The so what! Well, being on the receiving

end, rather than the overseer, brought
home to me just how professional and
passionate our instructors are and why
Adventurous Training is such a vital

medium in aiding soldiers to develop
themselves personally in relation to
transferrable soft and hard skills. Norway
presents a challenging environment that

is unforgiving with temperatures of – 10
being the norm. Nordic Skiing, from the
Capt Richie Groves makes it look easy

NORSKI 3 Staff and Students