Page 122 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk

JOINT SCHOOL FOR ADVENTUROUS TRAINING INSTRUCTORS (JSATI)

Capt (MAA) T S Best RAPTC

W
here has the blue belt
gone? Since taking up
the appointment in Sep
12 I have realised that there is a lot

more to this Joint AT environment
than I irst considered, including
that all the staff wore a blue
belt. So naturally, on arrival I

have upset the apple cart by
breaking 15 years of tradition by
not wearing the blue belt of the
RAF and RN but donning the

traditional red Army belt. Despite
reservations that this would
create a “them and us culture”
it has been fully accepted and
at least now all visitors know the Capt Best slate climbing
SSgt Bloomer
Sgt Mayled Winter Mountaineering

difference between the RAPTC
Staff and them others.
reasons. To address this issue, a calling letter was distributed in
Mar 13 to give personnel a second opportunity to follow the AT
JS Mountain Biking (MB). If you are not aware, JSATI is the path. The response was very encouraging and in the region of 12

lead centre on JS MB and as a result we have become very busy personnel showed interest in becoming ATLs-ATIs. Naturally, if you
coping with the high demand of this very popular activity. Although are considering changing your career stream you must seek advice
the DIN is yet to be published with all the details on how to transfer on matters pertaining to possible career impact before committing.
your civilian MB award over to the JS scheme, the Centre is still If you are interested in pursuing a career in AT I am only too happy

running courses ranging from the Mountain Bike Foundation to to help, call me on 01492 640702, 95581 7545 or 07702447618.
the much coveted Mountain Bike Instructor award. To date, the
following JSAT MB Scheme qualiications have been awarded:
JSAT RAPTC Staff. JSATI has 4 RAPTC Staff, myself, SSgt
• MB Foundation: 125
Bloomer, SSgt Mathias and Sgt Mayled. All staff are primarily

• MB Leader: 201
involved with the development of Class One Students. However,
• MB Instructor Training: 72 in addition the unit receives a high number of external training
• MB Instructor: 36
requests which the staff support where they can. This includes the
resident MB expert; SSgt Frazer delivering MB training in support
For more information regarding JS MB pse call Clare on Mil: 95581 of Decompression in Cyprus and conducting assessments for

7545 BT: 01492 640702.
TEC in Canada. The staff have worked hard with their continued
professional development in order to ensure that they are in the best
Operational Conversion Unit. Along with mountain biking the possible position to deliver top end instruction. This commitment
Centre delivers a multitude of courses and offers bespoke training has paid off and SSgt Bloomer is to be congratulated for gaining

via the Operational Conversion Unit for PTIs who wish to pursue the Winter Mountain Leader qualiication after years of dedication.
a career in AT.
In addition to routine work and professional development the
Instructors still manage to do that little bit extra as proven by the
Potential ATLs/ATIs? Predominantly, Adventurous Training very successful charity abseil for Blind Veterans UK organised and

Leaders and Adventurous Training Instructors have been provided executed by Sgt Mayled.
from the PTI Class One Course. However, this relies on students
having the aptitude for the activity, being dedicated to the outdoor In conclusion, JSATI remains a busy place to work, with the staff
environment in all types of weather and willing to carry out gaining having a high number of Nights Out Of Bed and travelling globally

log book experience over the weekends. With that in mind to destinations such as Oman, Germany, Loften Arctic Circle,
we do well if we get one student out of every two courses. It Scotland, Norway, Germany, Spain etc. Unfortunately this is the
is recognised that there are a number of RAPTC Instructors that life of an ATI.
did not get the opportunity to follow the AT path due to various

SSgt Mathias Black
Route Wales