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ARMY FOUNDATION COLLEGE HARROGATE

‘TRAINING CLICHÉS AND AT INNUENDOES –

FROM AFC TO JSMTC.’

Maj (MAA) S Higgins RAPTC

‘The Dictated’
for the old and bold to pass on a multitude of experience and
In maintaining the rocky path of training inluence, my inal appraisal knowledge to the military instructors through some excellent staff
of the AFC’s working environment focuses on the climate for training.

instructors, and more importantly, the beneits therein: “Is it where
you work, or who writes the report that matters?”
And inally, Sgt Chris ‘Woolly Hatter’ White continues to drive
the development of the AAPTIs. With JSMTC on speed dial, he
I have long camped within the Phase One and AT environments regularly books courses for those that fancy swopping their ‘white

and as a former Commander Initial Training Group once said, “it is daps’ for a set of ‘Scarpas’. Whilst Sgt Glen ‘Charlie’ Charlton
location, location, location”. It is true, that over the longer career, continues to seek his irst modelling in ‘Men’s Health’. Watch out
the wider skill-base beneits of trg units are extremely helpful; for the December 13 edition!
however, the timing of when and where you dip your toes remains
the crucial decision. An RAPTCI within a Field Force unit generally ‘The Planner’ – SSgt (SSI) G Glayzer RAPTC

sits ‘one of one’ (the blue top ensures clarity), whilst at a Phase I arrived at the AFC (H) to take on the role of PAT Coord known as
One unit, opportunities to shine remain dificult and strength of ‘The Planner’. This role involves the planning of Sport and Skills
character are therefore so much more important – hiding places (S&S) for 500 Junior Soldiers over 21 weeks. Easy you might say
are harder to ind unless you have troglodyte tendencies. The but with over 33 different S&S to choose from, which also requires

AT environment, for both Type One and Type Four likewise the assistance from civilian providers, it’s only the start of what’s
stretches great performance into obscurity amongst equals and to come. The next part of the planners phase is to plan which
the best of our working ATIs are continually given the outside lane Oficers will become the OICs and who will be their assistants:
in a swimming race: Ascension within AT often progresses from who is really going to volunteer for ’Autos’! Another new challenge

elsewhere.
for ‘the planner’ was presented in the form of inance, which at irst
felt like training to become a clerk but I found myself processing
That said, as long as one understands the wider opportunities payments for the CPPs and controlling a 300k budget. Planning
available, a couple of turns without a GPS should be ok. Lets face the use of this budget has drawn me into looking at ways of trying

it, the ‘more interesting jobs’ that include access to the ski slope, to continuously make improvements to deliver an overall better
obstacle courses, or vertical cave systems have always been my package for the JS, and it was at this point I realised that good
focus! Inner-circle self appreciation has never been a river for me forward planning and communication was key to the success
to follow and the truth of ‘where or who’ does I believe, remain
inseparable – but future woolly hatters and Phase One specialists

understand how a career path unfolds and the journey thereafter.

‘The Referee’ – WO1 (SMI) Knight RAPTC
Since my arrival in September into the Hub of the PAT Wing, it

quickly became apparent that my role as the SMI was to be ‘the
referee’ between the OICs of the three moving parts of the PAT
Wing. A simple job you might say but with redundancy nipping at
our heels, attendance for PT Corps Selection at its highest and

general daily work at its maximum, manning was crucial. It doesn’t
stop there; there are many other moving parts here at AFC which
also requires the ‘Referee’ but those stories are best told over a
beer or two in the Mess!

“The Juggler” – SSgt (SSI) D Hill RAPTC
Book transport? Where’s the transport? Vehicle breakdowns?
Pack lunches? Lost boats? Damaged fences? These are some
of the many issues that need to be dealt with on a daily basis. So

becoming an expert in juggling has been part of this years CPD.

Rain, wind or shine the Personal & Team Development (P&TD)
Department continue their daily commute to the Yorkshire Dales

to deliver a range of adventurous activities, however, I am thankful
that the last summer’s poor weather did not disrupt training, to the
delight of the local cafe owners who provide us with the famous
‘cavers’ breakfast’. It is common knowledge that the AAPTIs vests

are slightly snugger around the middle when they leave here!

With a mixture of young thrusting AAPTIs and old crusty (mainly
ex-serving) civilian instructors, brief chatter in the morning can be

interesting at times. Explaining what an iPhone App is to a middle
aged man can be amusing to the younger generation, but daunting
to the older team members. The general views and opinions of all
staff at times can be somewhat varied to say the least but being
the ‘Juggler’ allows the department to function well together and
SSgt Glayzer in full swing as ‘The Planner’