Page 63 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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1 (UK) ARMOURED DIVISION HEADQUARTERS

AND SIGNAL REGIMENT (1 ADSR)

(RAPTCI TO EDUCATOR AND BACK AGAIN)

WO2 (QMSI) DM FOLEY RAPTC

S
ince my last notes I was short toured from 3 Mercian due to
having been selected to take part in a two year trial with the
ETS. The aim of the trial was to assess whether or not WOs

and SNCOs could educate other soldiers?

Having completed numerous specialist courses and peer teaching
observations at the ETS Branch Training course at Worthy Down

and being enrolled in a university degree again, I was assigned
to 51 AEC Gp which is situated in Gutersloh. As a Learning
Development Instructor (LDI), my main responsibilities were initially
to bed into this newly created environment and then to deliver
CLM and Functional Skills to JNCOs, SNCOs and WOs.

The job was fantastic and demonstrated exactly how “Mind, Body
and Spirit” complemented each other. Not only did I educate
soldiers on their CLM courses, but I also delivered and advised

soldiers on physical development. The OC of the centre Maj P
Kinkaid (ETS) loved the dynamics of the Gp. In one hand he had
Oficers to provide the continuity between the centre, RCMOs and
the Oficers Mess and on the other hand he had an LDI that linked

education with the experience from the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess.

Having lived the dream for over a year and a half it was time for me
to return back to what I transferred for. I was presented with a few

options by the Comd ETS (G) the irst was to complete a further
six months within the ETS and the second being able to move
early if a suitable job became available. After going back and forth
with discussions with the G7 SWOPD WO2 (QMSI) Ian Bareham,
in the absence of the SO2 Maj (MAA) Appleby who was on Ops at

the time, it was mentioned that 1 ADSR was available.
LDI WO2 (QMSI) D Foley standing outside Education Centre Gutersloh

After weighing up the options my family and I decided that the Sqn for HQ 1 (UK) Division for when the HQ deploy. The Regiment
1 ADSR post would suit all our requirements. After a manic two is currently split in two, half are on exercise in the UK & Bavaria

days handover from SMI Roberts (“thanks Russ”) he left for his and the other half are continuing the vast number of Regimental
next post at ITC Catterick. He handed over to me what I thought and Station commitments that still have to be achieved in Herford.
was just another Royal Signal Regiment who support the Div HQ The pace of life as the QMSI for 1ADSR is hectic; along with the
from time to time, Oh, how wrong was I. One thing I’ll never forget routine Regimental duties there’s still a commitment to support the

is what Russ said to me as he was handing the keys over for the Divisional HQ with all matters relating to PD.
gym, “you will be ine, just keep ighting the closest crocodile to
the boat”, and I have never stopped since.
Luckily for me when I arrived at the Regiment I was placed into the Rear
Ops Gp as the Unit had deployed on HERRICK, or was it unlucky?

This Unit is unlike any other I have served with previously, it is one As I’d just got to know the main personalities then three months later
of ive Campaign Signal Regiments rotating through Op HERRICK it was like starting again. In my irst week I was informed that the
every two and a half years. In addition it has a dedicated Support
GOC Major-General Bashall CBE, our new Colonel Commandant for

LDI WO2 (QMSI) D Foley D Teaching SNCO CLM in the Classroom
1ADSR WO2 (QMSI) D Foley presenting the Col Comdt his 300 club T-shirt