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of a bespoke itness facility
located in the former Mons
Hall. Relocating individual
training equipment into Mons
Hall has allowed Montgomery
Gymnasium to return to its
former glory as a functional and
collective training space, with a
few new additions from Beaver-
Fit.
BeverFit rig at rear of Montgomery We have had many staff
Gym for functional training
changes over the last year; the
key changes have been the loss of the Wing clerk post, for those
of you who know ‘Lainy’, she has since retired although still pops
in to assist on the larger events. Staff moves have included the
SO2 Maj (MAA) CJ Deed RAPTC being replaced by Maj (MAA) M
Warwick RAPTC, not withstanding this change at the top we have
also seen no less than 10 new Corps instructors assigned in/out
Landscape of the Academy grounds
over the last 12 months which has been challenging to maintain
a corporate knowledgebase; although as you would expect all of
exercises and other high impact training serials. All of this has the old and new have made this transition as painless as possible.
been possible due to dogged determination of many individuals I have been here for a year now and can without doubt claim
inluencing the CoC with subtle little steps forward ensuring we are that this is a privileged post for anyone wishing to work with the
doing all that we can to ’train in’ and not ‘select out’.
inest students, inest instructors and most deinitely in the inest
environment.
Montgomery Gymnasium has also seen a large amount of
infrastructure work being conducted including the commissioning
RMAS SOVEREIGN’S BANNER COMPETITION
Sgt (SI) A ODwyer RAPTC
T
he Sovereign’s Banner Competition (SBC)
they may face upon commission to the Field
comprises a number of various different
Army.
events designed to challenge and test
the Oficer Cadets across a whole range of
From a Wing point of view there is a great
areas that are key in the composition of the
deal of meticulous planning, organisation,
modern day British Oficer. Endurance, physical
commitment and effort spent to ensure things
and mental itness, leadership, teamwork and
run smoothly and the cadets are given the best
robustness are all essential qualities that are
possible service and support. Each event will
synonymous not only with the all-conquering
have an appointed IC who will then call upon
‘Sovereign’s Banner Platoon’ but evident
the experience and knowledge of their peers to
throughout among all taking part, whether it
provide professionalism, luidity and continuity
be shining as an individual or digging deep as
from start to inish. It is to the credit of the
a member of a Platoon (Pl). There is a diverse
Wing that this is done whilst fulilling the many
spectrum across the SBC that involves both the
other allocated responsibilities. Following each
necessity for mental aptitude and applications
event and/or competition a review takes place
OCdts running through water
in the sterile classroom based areas as well as
to explore any areas that could be changed
the need for blood, sweat and tears during the
to maintain and even improve upon the high
arduous physical events. The events themselves encapsulate a standards set, therefore practising what we preach in terms of not
sporting element whilst retaining a realistic military theme in order resting on our laurels and always remaining adaptable and lexible
to simulate real time operational scenarios and requirements that
to new challenges that may come our way.
RMAS BOXING
Sgt (SI) G A Bruce RAPTC
It has long been tradition in the Army that sport has been a major idea of what sport they would like to do (some just need a bit
feature, fundamental to the morale of the soldiers, engendering of gentle persuasion). Some sports only require participation of
competitive spirit and teamwork whilst underpinning a whole
once a week whilst most need the dedication of two sessions.
myriad of qualities associated with and demanded of the British Most OCdt’s will choose to take things easy and pick the least
Army soldier; RMAS shows these qualities in abundance with the demanding sport while the more adventurous, enthusiastic
extremely motivated Oficer Cadet (OCdt).
OCdt’s will pick something more challenging. The boxing night
involves a great transformation of Montgomery Gymnasium, from
Soon after the OCdts arrive at the prestigious academy, each term a Commissioning Course Gym into a boxing venue for which any
they are herded through the ‘Freshers’ Bazaar to pick a sport they standard of boxing would lend itself.
will be doing for the next 14 weeks. Most OCdt’s have a vague