Page 27 - Chiron Issue 2 2014

1 MWD Regt Army Reserve Offices - 60 Minute Makeover
As the Army adapts to its new 2020 structure, the RAVC is looking to recruit Army Reserve (AR) Dog Handlers. With this in mind, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment has established a Recruit Retention Mentoring Team (RRMT) to prepare for the influx of AR Handlers. The RRMT were allocated an ex Army recruitment building in St Georges Barracks, North Luffenham. As well as attending all the necessary courses, one of their first jobs was to ensure that the building was fit for purpose.
Building 16 had been un-used for almost a year as you can imagine paint was coming off the walls. Some rooms were painted multiple colours, and the smell of damp was rife in the air. The first 4 weeks were spent completely refurbish the building, and starting from scratch we painted all 8 offices, class room and kitchen. Parts of
By Pte Ward
the inside looked as if it had been used as an indoor air rifle range; it took Pte Luke McKenna 4 days just to fill in the holes. None of us apart from Cpl James Hewitt had ever painted a building before, but by the end of it I would say we could call ourselves professionals.
When we finally finished, the building look completely different, we could all see the huge improvement our efforts had made. Assembling the new furniture was interesting as men never seem to want to read the instructions, but eventually we got there in time for the world’s largest stationary delivery to arrive. Finally it was taking shape.
When building a new Squadron – especially a new AR Squadron, it is amazing how much paperwork needs to be produced. Over 60 folders were made by the RRMT, containing everything from
policies to lesson plans. We ended up using all of 104 MWD Sqn paper and laminating pouches with the amount of typing, printing and laminating we have had to do so far. We still have a long way to go, but it is all coming together slowly.
This is a new project for everyone on the RRMT, and as such no-one has the qualifications they need to work with recruits. We are steadily filtering our way through all necessary courses such as the Defence Train The Trainer course (DTTT) ready for the arrival of our recruits, and our role in training and mentoring them throughout there joining up process.
As I said before this is a new venture, not only for myself, but also for the Regiment. I feel proud with all that we have achieved so far, and look forward to the arrival of our first recruits in the near future.
Following a recent injury I was referred to Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) Headley Court. After many out patient’s appointments I was loaded on to a rehab course. My 2nd course and roughly 10th visit there, so luckily I didn’t feel too lost.
When I arrived on day one, I met the rest of the group, a mixed bunch from all 3 services, ranked from Pte to Col and at a range of stages of recovery or discharge. Initially we had our arrivals clinic which consisted of being poked, prodded and being bent into weird and wonderful shapes to see what level of ability we were at. After this we had a brief to outline the course then went to see the admin staff to hand in arrivals chits and collect our pre-paid meal cards. After completing the initial start of course administration we met the staff that would be working with us over the 3 weeks. There was a team of 6 professionals to look after us: a RAF Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI), a physiotherapist, the lead consultant, a Medical Officer and two occupational therapists.
Each day began with mobility sessions followed by hydro therapy, which also improves mobility. After this would be cardiovascular training which was either a steady state or interval session. Just before lunch we usually had a strength based lesson which was tailored to each level of ability. After an hour and a half for lunch we went to the pool and had an hour swimming or water running. This would be followed by
either a further strength class or a lecture from the occupational therapists on spinal anatomy, or posture. We finished the day with individual programmes which were written and tweaked by the ERI and physios. There was then an opportunity to do “Ai chi” (tai chi in water) but most of us were usually too tired after such a physically and mentally exhausting day!
The facilities at DMRC are amazing to say the least. The rehab facilities including the Battle of Britain Gym was funded by Help for Heroes and includes a 25m pool with a floor that can be raised and lowered, Jacuzzi, a large CV suite, a gym with a sprung floor (which no one seems to know the reason for) as well as treatment rooms and all the equipment you could ever need. There is also the Trafalgar Gym, a hydro pool, a second CV suite, various departments for a wide range of injuries, a prosthetics work shop, a driving assessor, social workers to aid in claims and general work based advice and of course some of the best trained staff in the world. The welfare facilities include a NAAFI with a bar area, a TV room, a cinema and fully funded trips to various sporting events, restaurants and attractions almost every week.
All in all, after 3 weeks, many tests and a total beasting, I felt absolutely knackered but, I’d made some real progress towards recovery.
A Day in the Life at Headley Court
By LCpl Jazz Barron
Chiron Calling 27