Page 10 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
HQ RAPTC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) CELL
Capt (MAA) RJ Roberts RAPTC – SO3 R&D
My third and final MBS notes as SO3 R&D sees many changes to the Cell from when the R&D concept was first discussed back in Nov 14.
The work undertaken is more formalised as well as being underpinned by the latest academic evidence. No longer will the ‘Good Ideas Club’ make it up. All PTI courses are now evidence-based as well as being aligned to the most up-to-date academic and civilian physical delivery best practices.
Additions to the team now include Katherine Amps
taking over the helm as HQ RAPTC Researcher, with
SSgt (SSI) Gaz Lewis joining WO2 (QMSI) Duncs Southern-Naylor on Resilience Margin (ReM) PIDs
whilst they complete a full-time fully funded BSc
(Hons) at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. The
interaction with this university, when added to our long established links with Loughborough University, assists the R&D Cell with a strong knowledge base for the latest developments in academia, physical activity and coaching.
A new system has been created in Excel format to capture innovations and proposals from RAPTCIs into the HQ, whilst in its infancy, this system has already produced some good suggestions for the team to look at.
Another project ongoing within the R&D Cell has been the RAPTC Selection Review, an emotive review of how we select our future Corps Instructors. Originally started by Miss Eilis McCallion during her tenure as HQ RAPTC Researcher, this fantastic piece of work has been handed over to R&D and the Training Development Team (TDT) to look into every aspect of selection, including creating a Characteristic Scoring Guide to assist our Directing Staff (DS) in selecting the most suitable candidates to start the RAPTC Instructors Course. The process will continue to be refined over the next few selection courses with the overall aim of ensuring we select the most suitable RAPTCIs to take the Corps forward over the next decade.
Other projects within the Cell are the investigation into the requirements and uses for Wearable Technology (WT) for our Physical Training Instructors. Whilst their use is widespread for personal motivation and physical monitoring, identifying a
requirement for the Corps and our All Arms Physical Training Instructors continues. HQ RAPTC are closely linked with the NATO panel for WT, The Institute of Naval Medicine and Individual Development (IDev) Branch within Army HQ who are all working towards a clear and viable use for WT for our Service populations. Another key work strand has been the production of supporting resources for the Army Physical Training System (APTS), most notably Level 1 PT guidelines as well as providing supporting documentation for when soldiers are deployed away from their Unit for long periods. Finally, due to the requirement to ensure the Corps is at the forefront of modern academia, we continue to recruit and select groups of RAPTCIs to commence undergraduate study and have their tuition fees centrally funded by Army HQ. This ensures these
individuals are able to provide their knowledge and experience into key posts and roles within the RAPTC and that we maintain our links with several universities throughout the country.
By the time these notes are published I will have moved onto 11 Infantry Bde as SO3 PD and handed over the reins to Capt (MAA) Jack Horner RAPTC. I wish him and the R&D Cell well as they continue to ensure the RAPTC are moving forward in developing evidence-based approaches to all aspects of Physical Development.
R&D Team
R&D Proposals – For Submission forms – Go to RAPTC Homepage