Page 9 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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post-SDSR recommendations and early restructuring as part of
A2020 transformation. Last Saturday only adds to this list but
more importantly the NMA event provided a useful barometer of
how well the RAPTC Association is doing (Mind, Body and Spirit!),

especially with such a high level of esprit de corps in evidence at
the NMA. We are already looking at the potential to expand our
presence at the NMA, both at our new memorial site and also the
potential to occupy one of the paving stones at what will be the

new Heroes’ Square which is due to open in 2015.

Our new Regimental Secretary (Lt Col (Retd) Gary Jones) took over
his post in January and is already making a huge difference in the

level of support being provided to our Branches and Association
members (serving and retired). Likewise, Mr Adam Culling assumed
the Museum Curator’s appointment late last year and is already doing
an excellent job as we drive the Museum towards full accreditation

with the Arts Council. As you would expect, the RAPTC Association
Executive Committee is fully engaged in all aspects of Association
business. We bid a sad farewell to Lt Col (Retd) George Gelder
and Brian Stead Esq. from the Executive Committee following their
long and dedicated service as trustees. I know that I can speak Army Command Group visit to Fox Lines 8 Nov 12. CGS, AG and
SMAA with one of the BattleBack wheelchair basketball athletes
on behalf of all Association members when I offer a vote of thanks
for all that George and Brian have done for the good and beneit of
our Association members – thank you both! New trustees on the In terms of a short summary and look forward, I know there will
block are Lt Col (Retd) Gareth Davies QGM and Maj (Retd) ‘Chic’ be many challenges ahead as the Army looks beyond 2020 and

Wilkinson who are already fully engaged in their vital role as trustees. the implications of a New Employment Model and Project 21 etc.
On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the Executive trustees However, I am conident that the Corps remains extremely well
for their dedicated service and wise counsel whilst keeping me on placed to meet these challenges as ‘our people’ most deinitely
the straight and narrow over the last 3 years. Another success are an essential component in the Army maintaining a ‘Strategic

story is the RAPTC Association Branches who continue to provide Edge’. Finally, my sincere thanks to Lt Col Dougie Peters who
local focus points and support to our members. The Annual Branch has co-piloted and supported me as we move the Corps ever
Dinners are thriving and once again our collective thanks go back forward. And last but by no means least, thank you to my ‘team’
to respective committee members for their dedicated service and (A team!) in HQ RAPTC who, despite small numbers, have made

unstinting support to Association matters.
a BIG DIFFERENCE!

HQ RAPTC TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM

ANOTHER YEAR AND A DIFFERENT ANGLE!

WO1 (SMI) I Lester RAPTC

W
ell it has been another learning how to bake (that’s
eventful year in TDT! another story)! Sgt Russ
My ifth and still Hughes (soon to be SSgt) has
counting, a change of contract illed the gap on the PT side

and another set of keen young and relieved me of some of my
and thrusting RAPTCIs join workload and Russ is proving
the team and the cake club!! to be a formidable baker!
So what has happened this WO2 Mark Greenwood has
year; well the staff have had taken a sideways step and

a reshufle with SSgt (now is standing in for the gapped
WO2), Steve Green leaving SMI’s post before WO1 (SMI)
on promotion to 1 RSME. Richard Windard turns up.
The driving force behind TDT Mark is grasping the iner art

as stand in OC for 3 mths of baking! Is that a packet mix
WO1 (SMI) Jase Murdoch Mark?
(now Capt) has moved on
commissioning to the ASPT The TDT ship is being steered

and we have welcomed back by probably the irst ever TDT/
WO2 Carl Simmons who is CDC analyst way back when
with us temporarily in between WO1 Ian Lester the current Cake club WO2 (QMSI) Mark Greenwood he was a SSgt/WO2, Maj
posts and as an ex chef he is champion showing off his wares!
RAPTC – Current Army Half Marathon (MAA) Steve Collinson, (at the
and Army Marathon Champion
desperate to join the cake club!
with a time of 2hr 33mins
time of writing) the Boss and
chief baker is about to depart
The new team is now well embedded into TDT work with SSgt on a short tour to Afghanistan to set up the training for the Afghan
Mark Freeman irmly in the chair for the AT side of TDT and is National Army’s Oficer training and for Afghan PTIs.
busy with the DLP courses, a bit of Rugby (tour to Spain) and