Page 78 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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JOINT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT

WO1 (SMI) A E Gaul MBE RAPTC

W
Headquarters hat a difference 2 weeks can Despite the manning cuts my small
make to your military career! determined and dedicated Tri-Service staff
That was the amount of time and Local Employed Civilians (LEC) have
it took to be told I was, promoted and provided an array of events and facilities
British
posted to British Forces Gibraltar (BFG), to those serving in Gibraltar, whilst hosting
as you can imagine one very happy chap. many a Soldier, Sailor and Airmen who
BFG is indeed “Fun in the Sun” but with have utilised the three separately located
a “Tri-Service twist”! Getting to grips with resources.
Forces
the RN and RAF way of doing business
has been extremely challenging at times; WO2 (QMSI) Will McKinsley is at the helm
that said some 15 months later I have it in at Devils Tower Camp (DTC) Gymnasium.
Gibraltar
the bag, I think!
We have hosted a number of Sport Tours

this year with a variety of teams and clubs
The SMI’s role and responsibilities are split taking advantage of the Sun! Teams that
between the Staff Assistant duties and have visited Gibraltar this year include
running all Physical Development on the the Royal Navy Football Vets, Army FA,
Rock. Gibraltar continues to see much Army Squash Association and the RAF

change as a result of Project EUSTON. Netball team, Metropolitan Police Football
Project EUSTON is the future plan to competition and the usual visiting Royal
transform Gibraltar from its current status Navy Ships and Submarines. Locally,
into an Austere Mounting Base (AMB) for a number of Clubs have been made

Joint Forces Operations worldwide. As a available to all entitled personnel at DTC
result all military manning levels have been Gymnasium. Fencing was introduced
cut some 40% and departments have had at the start of the year and has been so
some severe restructuring.
successful that we now compete against