Page 121 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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13 days, 14 countries, 4000km, 4 hours sleep a day, totally unsupported
keen to stay, possibly because his house is just down the road from camp. The PCRF deals with a constant high turnover of patients, as expected at a training establishment. Despite the regular throughput of injured soldiers, Sgt Briggs has still been able to get involved in Unit sport.
The summer of 2017 saw the return of a now popular but gruelling charity running event, the dreaded Minley Chase which Sgt Briggs was fortunate (told) to take part in. The event was in aid of the ABF and saw teams of 8 from across the unit run alternating 1 km loops of the playing fields over a 24-hour period. What Sgt
Sgt (SI) Andy Briggs last cross-country race.... until the next one!
Royal Engineers Athletics Training Camp in Portugal with Sgt (SI) Briggs and Sgt (SI) Bremner
(SI) Briggs hadn’t factored in was that those taking part would run so fast, as the majority nearly ran the distance of a full marathon individually, it proved to be quite a challenge. Chuck in to the mix some broken sleep and the inevitable pouring rain; there was many an exhausted Sappers (and one Corps bloke) the next morning.
Sgt Brigg’s highlight of the year was the Royal Engineer Athletics Training Camp, which was held at Browns Sports and Leisure Club in Vilamoura, Portugal. The venue was superb and regularly hosts high profile teams from many different sports. Sgt Briggs and Sgt (SI) John Bremner RAPTC were asked to join the team to deliver the strength and conditioning package as well as providing guidance and coaching in functional movement, flexibility and all things ‘rehab’. As the team’s main goal was to prepare for the Inter Corps Athletic Champs Sgt Brigg’s mission was quite clear.... sabotage their training to give the RAPTC a better chance! Alas, integrity reared its ugly head and he simply couldn’t help blurt out every one of his secret training tips to the team. The camp was a roaring success enjoyed by all (the hot climate, good food, stylish venue and very large G&Ts had a lot to do with it) and plans were soon put in place to organise a repeat prescription of training for the following year.
PCRF Winchester is located in the South West Region; ATR Winchester is a Phase 1 establishment responsible for recruit training during a demanding 14 weeks Common Military Syllabus. The clinical staff at the PCRF consists of an OC, Capt Olivia Birch RAMC, ERIs SSgt (SSI) Lee Paterson and Sgt (SI) ‘Bill’ Gates RAPTC and Physiotherapists Mrs Vikki Laws and Mrs M Norton-Hughes (Band 7). PCRF Winchester is responsible for the rehabilitation of Fox troop (recruits) and permanent staff rehabilitation at both unit and regional level.
All recruits upon injury are sent to the medical centre and directed accordingly. Recruits referred to the Physiotherapist department are assessed and dependent on the extent of their injury will determine whether they are removed from training and placed into Fox Troop. OC Fox Troop Capt (MAA) J Foreshew (RAPTC) and his team provide the military skills whilst the recruits undertake rehabilitation prior to returning to training.
The updated Fox rehabilitation programme which is well into its second year, has seen an improved structure towards early, intermediate and late rehabilitation. This has facilitated recruits to remain motivated towards rehabilitation and integrate personal goals whilst establishing regular feedback and opportunities to learn and enhance personal knowledge of injuries and conditions. Clear outcome measures and tests allow recruits to keep track of their progress and provide focus on the next stage of their rehabilitation pathway.