Page 133 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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The Prince of Wales talking to the Sgt (SI) Gregg Dove RAPTC inishing strong
Paralympian Derek Derenalagi

This kind of positive attitude and
determination was demonstrated by

members of

‘Team True Spirit’. The aim of the charity
Team True Spirit is to raise awareness of the
battles that injured servicemen now face and

to generate inancial support to help them
and those close to them. Team True Spirit
offers the opportunity for injured servicemen
to do amazing things and to prove they can
Some members of ‘Team True Spirit
The Prince of Wales masters yoga
bounce back.

Together with a support team of physiotherapists and ERIs, Team Other members of the ERI team at DMRC include SSgt (SSI) Mick
True Spirit, completed the 2012 “Ironman UK Triathlon” held in Asher RAPTC, SSgt (SSI) Steve Lucas RAPTC and Sgt (SI) Andy

Bolton. The event has raised nearly £60,000 for military charities Burt RAPTC. New additions to the unit include Sgt (SI) Dan Cole
and families that support them. Members of the team from DMRC RAPTC and Sgt (SI) Ross Perkins RAPTC who both arrived in Jan
included Sgt (SI) AJ Wilson RAPTC (now Catterick PCRF), Sgt (SI) this year. We would also like to say our goodbyes to SSgt (SSI)
Gregg Dove RAPTC, Sgt (SI) Matt Dove RAPTC, and Sgt (SI) Lee Mark Freeman who moved to HQ RAPTC (TDT) last year and Sgt

Cubbage RAPTC.
(SI) Gregg Dove RAPTC who is moving on promotion to the Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst.

OPERATION HERRICK 16 DEPLOYED MEDICAL

REHABILITATION TEAM (DMRT)

SSgt (SSI) C Amery RAPTC

E
motions were mixed upon landing Predominantly, patients would be referred
in Camp Bastion on 31 March by the physiotherapists to the (TIRS)

2012. I felt motivated, enthusiastic,
course, which would last 2-3 weeks
excited and slightly apprehensive to depending on recovery rate. Courses ran
begin my 6-month tour as the Exercise consecutively and consisted of various
Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI) for Camp training sessions including strength and

Bastion. I deployed as part of 4 Medical conditioning.
Regiment with the Deployed Medical
Rehabilitation Team (DMRT). My aim was Not only did the patients receive irst
twofold, to uphold the professional high class physical training, but also valuable
standards of the Corps and to become education on nutrition, bergan packing

involved in as much as physically possible and injury prevention. Upon completion of
within the UK Medical Group.
the course, patients had to attempt and
pass the Forward Operating Base (FOB)
My main role during the tour was to test. The FOB test is used in theatre to

rehabilitate soldiers who had sustained determine whether an injured soldier is
musculoskeletal injuries during their physically and functionally suitable to
deployment. Injuries were diverse and return to their deployed role. The test
varied including ankle sprains, lower back is conducted in full personal protective

issues, twisted knees and lacerations to equipment (PPE) including all ammunition
name a few. Mechanism of injury also and water to maximize realism. The test
being hugely varied from soldiers carrying must be completed within 1 hour and
huge loads of 60 kgs whilst negotiating consist of the following 9 tasks:

dificult terrain, to simple slips, trips and 1. 50 metre casualty drag weighing 80kg
falls. Rehabilitating such a multitude of 2. Hesco climb and dismount
injuries offered valuable experience as an 3. High step up and dismount
ERI and I would highly recommend it.
4. 3.5 KM patrol
FOB test run
5. 6 x ditch climb outs