Page 95 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE

WO1 (SMI) RJ Roberts RAPTC

A
nother year, another MBS notes.
After far too short a time in
Germany, it was up sticks and move

the family from 1 ADSR, Herford to ITC
Catterick on promotion to SMI. In case,
you are like me and have never served
in the ITC before, you won’t appreciate

how busy and how big it is until you start
working here. Over 5000 recruits pass
through each year with a PS of over 900
soldiers makes the ITC the largest Training

Establishment in Europe and is due to get
bigger over the next few years. The ITC
is responsible for delivering the Combat
Infantryman’s Course to the Guards, Line,
Gurkhas and Parachute Regiments, all of RAPTCIs 2013

whom have different lengths of courses
on promotion to SMI; well done from all from 26 – 37 weeks long; not to mention
here at ITC and Sgt Stevenson moving to the short courses from AFC (H), Phase 3
1 SG. This leaves WO2 Ed Hargreaves soldiers and the TA courses. Therefore

– CI SDW Halton and Sgts Corkhill and the PD Wing is an extremely busy place
Jackson at the Gym and Sgts Scaife, to be. There can be up to 15 Pls all out at
Foster and Richardson at the PCRF to the same time and requires the RAPTCIs
complete the ITC RAPTCIs.
including the MAA and SMI donning the

Bergen and grey jumper and hitting the
In addition to training the Infantry Recruits hills. With a large mix of personalities
and with the arrival of Maj Young, the and cap badges and a staff consisting of
Army Steeplechase Competition was 8 RAPTCIs, 32 AAPTIs, 2 SIO PTs and

organised and hosted in Catterick for 3 Civil Servants make the working days
the irst time after 6 years in Tidworth. As demanding yet rewarding.
seen by the large numbers of participants,
this event is one that is still as popular as Since I arrived in Apr 12, various key
ever. Over 100 obstacles and the delights Maj Young on the Army Steeplechase 2013
personalities have come and gone most

of the Back Door Training Area make notably the MAA, Capt Dunne who has
this event one of the most physically moved onto pastures new at HQ 15 the UK North Cross Country, Badminton,
challenging of the year. The PD Wing has (NE) Bde to be replaced by Maj Young Basketball and Rugby Competitions, as
also organised and assisted with various fresh from HQ 5th Division. This upgrade well as inish 3rd Major Unit in the Army

UK North Sports Competitions including from Capt to Maj as the MAA has been Cross Country Championships in RMAS.
Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, long overdue. The hard work by Lt Col
Rugby Union, Cross Country League Dupree and his predecessors at HQ To give a feel of the day to day activity at
and Championships. The highlight of the ARTD to get the post at an equal status ITC, Sgt Stevenson has added a short

sporting year, from a Gym perspective to RMAS and AFC Harrogate has already paragraph of the responsibilities of a
is the Annual ITC Boxing Event between seen numerous positive changes to the SI at ITC. All that’s left to say is that the
the Army Boxing Team and Tyne Tees working practices across the ITC. The ITC is a fantastic place to work but be
and Wear Boxing Team. The event once other moves have seen Sgt Min Pun being prepared for long hours, busy days and

again was a huge success with over 1300 replaced by Sgt Chris Armstrong and Sgt you deinitely earn your money whilst you
spectators watching a quality display of Gaz Loader leaving P Coy to be replaced are posted here.
boxing. Despite an extremely busy working by SSgt Osbourne. Impending moves
week, the ITC has found the time to win
involve WO2 Buckley moving to ASPT (G)

Boxing Event the lull before the storm
Rugby Team