Page 102 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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WO2 Dykes with British Lions and Welsh Legend
times surreal experience which will live long in the memory, not least because the wife won’t let me forget how much it cost me!
As the summer started to move into Autumn I had one last blast away with WO1(SMI) Matt Arlow. We joined the Army together in Sep 1992 and I haven’t managed to lose him yet, although there’s still time! A call went out from the Food Services Wing (FSW) here at WD Station for some kayak/canoe instructors for a low level type 2 exped in Aug. As they couldn’t find any I roped in Matt, dusted off our paddles and made our way to Snowdonia. 3 days of sinking on Lake Bala followed with a cameo visit to the Glyders on the final day reminding us of how old we are getting! We even managed to bump into a legend of an Ex RAPTCI, Chris Williams. The evening was filled with reminiscing and laughter, the following morning wasn’t quite so funny!
Other highlights have been the Ski Expeds which I either help deliver or put together myself. WO1(SMI) Daz O’Donnell and I had an amazing week with 11X HQ in the snow drifts of Meribel (when we could dig ourselves out!), the annual WD Station trip to Val Thorens was possibly the best I have hosted yet and the AGC Ski Champs were fantastic. The freezing cold week acting as the starter for the past 4 years did not go unheralded as the AGC graciously awarded me the Outstanding Contribution award. I went on to dent the trophy but that’s a story for the bar one evening. The qualifications did not come easy but the payback when you get to instruct skiing all over Europe and Canada is fantastic. Many a close friend has been made over the years and I’ve lost count of how many people I have taken, I can even ski pretty well myself now!
So the time has come to move on and SSgt (SSI) Daz Farrugia is the man charged with sorting out my mess. As you read this
WO1 Arlow and WO2 Dykes at Lake Bala
QMSI with the gathering of the birds
from the discomfort of a hot waterless and heatless gym Daz, I wish you the very best in what is going to be a fantastic Station building wise. I have made so many close friends in this job and have so many great memories which exceed the many bad times. From RMAS through to 2 RTR, The Rifles and different Training Establishments, the RAPTCIs and individuals I have met along the journey have shaped me as an individual. I wish each and every one of you success in the future. Too many legends to name, but most of you know who you are already. Work hard, play hard, take what professional and personal development you need without being greedy and find that acceptable work/life balance. We are only numbers and when you have left, all you leave behind is a name on a dusty, unloved board where someone will one day go; WO2 (QMSI) Jez Dykes, who was he then?!
INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE, CATTERICK
McKay VC Gymnasium – Sgt (SI) K Richardson RAPTC
The physical training team at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) have developed and strengthened over the course of this Training Year. Training Year 17/18 has been ever changing at the largest training establishment within the ARTD, with the turnover in RAPTCIs and AAPTIs coming thick and fast. During this year, promotions have changed the dynamics of the RAPTC element; seasoned instructors have moved on to new challenges, and a new breed has taken on the mantle to continue the momentum to drive and inspire.
As way of saying goodbye and thanks to Capt (MAA) Bailey for all his hard work and continued support, the AAPTIs planned and executed an old school bayonet training PT session which enabled the AAPTIs to show their skills and highlight to us that they ‘do know what they are doing’, gaining revenge for the validations and feedback given by us as the SMEs. This was not the standard bayonet session you would have expected with additional surprise serials thrown in for good measure. This demonstrated the trust and respect that the AAPTIs have for the RAPTC training team at ITC.