Page 132 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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during the press up or even completing a single correct sit up. The times for the 1.5 mile run were sometimes over 20 minutes which was essentially a run walk, thus making the test null and void as an indicator for VO2 max. After much thought and deliberation several recommendations were made to make the physical element of Afghan Officer selection more purposeful with amended protocols for each element of the test, the ANAOA CoC were very receptive to the recommendations with most of them being implemented immediately. In addition the Female TOLAY UK SNCO is now an E1 RAPTC PID which provides an excellent opportunity for young RAPTCI to gain valuable Operational experience as a PT SME whilst delivering leadership training to Afghan Officer Cadets.
On a personal note the trip certainly wasn’t short on drama. What was meant to be a 9 day visit turned into 13 due to the behemoth journey home from Kabul courtesy of Her Majestie’s Royal Air Force going via Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Cyprus. Whilst not sure our small RAPTC STTT were being targeted, our visit happened to coincide with a terrorist attack on the Inter-Continental Hotel during which over 40 civilians were killed, a 500kg bomb was detonated in a heavily built up area of Kabul killing over 90 Afghan civilians and the day after we left Kabul, the ANAOA came under direct attack itself. All of which serves to remind us that whilst OP HERRICK is no more, the threat to the civilian population and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan remains very real.
BRITISH ARMY TRAINING UNIT SUFFIELD (BATUS)
TRAIL’S END CAMP (TEC)
A/Maj (MAA) R L Bailey RAPTC
‘Where Armour
meets Adventure’
Trails End Camp continues
to deliver its Main Effort,
foundation AT to 3XX troops.
This year mainly 12X Ex
PRAIRIE STORM 1; the
biggest Armoured exercise in a
decade. Followed immediately
by 1X executing Ex WARRIORS
CRAFT an experimentation
exercise utilising BATUS terrain,
complex urban environments
and huge live fire ranges
setting the standard for future
Armoured Infantry tactical
training doctrine. With CGS,
CFA, Command Secretary and
our very own SMAA visiting this summer another truly interesting year. Funding being the critical argument for all things BATUS, uniquely the only CT3 and CT4 appropriate range, watch this space for Oman ambitions over next couple of a years though, finance is driving training to wherever best value for money can be utilised.
PIC 2: 1X SMI Mountain Biking in Canmore Sep 17
The RAPTC footprint in BATUS is tied to the Battle Groups with Brigade SMIs and Unit RAPTCI all being deployed and utilised at their units mercy. Versatility and professional delivery, no matter what is asked of us continues to enhance our reputation as the go to, can do men and women. RAPTCI SSgt’s briefing Brigadier’s on unit PD updates are normal here whilst either commanding a warrior, driving CO PSV or assuring AT
Trails End Camp Winter/Summer – Front Gate
delivery. Be flexible and forward leaning to your units requirements whilst gently guiding the hands and feet with PD direction seems to work at the coalface of Armoured units.
TEC Chief Instructor WO1 (SMI) Si Naylor leaves the Army this year, he has smoothly delivered countless 1* visits, more Corps