Page 134 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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In between BFC events, the introduction of the first BFC British Warrior Fitness (BAWF) competition on Island, and the unit hosting the annual Bay2Bay swim Unit life and PT continued. With the Cyprus OPS commitment in full swing the Coys were making the most of the rotation and the use of the natural surroundings and of course that means the re-introduction to beach PT. Popular with the AAPTIs but the soldiers do not seem so keen especially with the hills that are required to be conquered back up to camp in Episkopi.
As I write these notes the Battalion are currently into their last 4 months on Island and starting to refocus on the impending move to Dale Barracks in Chester. 1 LANCS will swap with 2 Mercian in July 2018. With this comes a great opportunity for the 2 Mercian RAPTCI who will have a fantastic 2 years ahead of them.
Since arriving on Island in 2014 Cyprus has given me so many opportunities both professionally and in my family life. My advice to anyone lucky enough to be assigned here in the future would be to grasp it with both hands and make the most of your short time on Island. As I will be moving on from the unit over the forthcoming months I would like to thank all who I have served with, especially Cpl Gareth Chippendale who has been my gym 2IC for the past 3 years. He will be leaving the Army in May 2018, good luck Chippy.
1LANCS using the environment
After 4 1⁄2 years of supplying PD support to 3rd Battalion the Rifles in Edinburgh, late August saw me embark on a new chapter within life in the RAPTC. I was chosen to head to slightly warmer climes, so the bags were packed and Cyprus bound it was. Could the new job or location be that much different from the previous posting, just a bit? After a few days in post, I was now regretting all those times I had thrown the factor 50 ‘NBC proof’ issued sun cream from the Quartermaster, in the bin.
I had the unenviable task of filling SSgt Neil Ferguson’s small speedo’s (small because of streamlining he tells me, nothing else) and after a thorough handover, I set about the task of understanding the intricacies that come from working within a Station environment that delivers support not only to the Joint Command Forces but the large community housed within and not forgetting, gym sharing with the Resident Infantry Battalion (RIB) 1 LANCS.
One of the first things that struck me early within the job was the positive ethos and mentality towards sport and fitness within location, this mindset clearly would make my task of promoting all things encompassed within PD a lot less stressful. The environment and real-estate around Episkopi Station helps towards this and you can fully understand why individuals are keen to enjoy fully and take great advantage.
Within the Sports Centre we have a small team and are kept on our toes with plenty to get our teeth into. On top of daily business, we have the much-enthused Commanders Exercise Sporting Challenge. This is where all Station lodger units come together to do battle once a month throughout the year in the sporting arena. When you add the BFC events and the community engagement beach time is at a premium here which might not be a bad thing for a lad from central Scotland with a slight tinge of red in his hair.
As I alluded to there has been plenty going on and late Feb saw the Station team organise and execute one of the BFC events for 2018, the All Island Half Marathon Championships ‘Gym 2 Gym’ with 375 competitors. Comfortably the biggest single attended event I have had the pleasure of organising. The team were extremely happy with the outcome; a safe and smooth event for all. As always, on your first attempt, you always pick up on ways
Episkopi Station Tunnel Beach Football
EPISKOPI STATION
SSgt (SSI) C Wood