Page 42 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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This has been my first year at 7Bn REME. My previous postings have been as an ERI so I was looking forward to taking on a new challenge as a Unit RAPTCI.
The adoption of Programme THOR (Training Human Optimisation for Readiness) has been embraced by the unit from the CO down to the guys on the ground. Being a unit largely manned with technical tradesmen has helped the transition as they like to know the theory of why they are doing something!
The Unit’s field gun team are currently training to defend their title as the winners of the previous year. I was approached to assess whether their field gun training programme could be improved. After researching similar sports training programmes like the British Olympian bob sleigh team and competitive rugby I then combined that with my S&C knowledge and ERI background to create a programme to improve their sport specific fitness and give them an extra edge over the competition. Another aim was to reduce the team’s injury rate as the previous year they had 4 injuries out of a team of 20.
Alongside the implementation of THOR I have also conducted a complete overhaul of the level 1 and 2 PT bringing together the 3 Units at Wattisham Station with the creation of two distinct Station Reconditioning Programmes. Within the first 2 months of the changes the positive effects were noticed with complements from
the soldiers on the lessons expressing how they feel. Individuals are improving which stats confirm and the return of soldiers back to level 3 PT has seen a significant improvement!
I have been taking advantage of the opportunities offered to conduct AT within my first year; taking AAPTI’s aiming for selection on quality mountain days and kayaking. I have also lead an AT package in the Lake District for 14 days. The most exciting thing for me since changing role type will be organising and leading a 9 week AT package in California USA from 29 May – 31 July 2018 this will be part exercise CRIMSON EAGLE.
7 Avn Sp Battalion REME enjoys Christmas PT and gets in to the spirit of the season each year. They have an Officers, Seniors & Juniors competition and request a new event every year! This year the competition included sumo suit Kabaddi, sumo suit king of the ring and tug of war (the one thing they always want).
On the well-earned promotion and posting of 4AAC RAPTCI now WO2 Dave Read and the departure of the current Station QMSI WO2 Matt Connelly on a long career course I have stepped up to the role of Station QMSI which is a responsibility I keenly accepted. Wattisham Station has 3 Major units and 1 minor unit 7 Avn Sp Bn REME, 3AAC, 4AAC and 653 Sqn respectively so overseeing the management of PD, Sport and AT of all 4 units is a large but exciting task and a challenge I am enjoying.
7 AVIATION SUPPORT BATTALION REME
SSgt (SSI) DT Hagan RAPTC
Unit PT 7 Avn Sp Bn REME TOW 7 Avn Sp Bn REME Sumo Suit Kabaddi 7 Avn Sp Bn REME
Sumo Suit KOTR 7 Avn Sp Bn REME