Page 50 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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17 PORT & MARITIME REGIMENT – ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS
SSgt (SSI) KL Wallace RAPTC
As my posting draws to an end at 17 Port & Maritime Regiment my efforts lay in continuing to promote fitness within the Unit in a variety of ways, encouraging interest in both sport and fitness. It has been a pleasure seeing the development of my AAPTI’s and the passion they put into inspiring individuals to further themselves as well as continuing our efforts to raise money for charity throughout the year.
One of our big charity events was the 17 P&M Fizzathon aiming to promote health and fitness by discovering local classes available to SP and dependants as well as those offered within the Regiment. These classes included Boogie Bounce, Zumba, Spinning, BAWF, Pilates and Yoga to name but a few. This ensured depth and variety, showing that physical fitness can be achieved in myriad ways. The format of the event was 24hrs achieved over two successive days (12hrs per day), raising over £700 for Meningitis Now and ABF. This was a massive achievement and only attainable due to the overwhelming support and large numbers of personnel that took part, fully embracing all the different classes on offer.
A large part of my time has been spent on recruiting and development of the AAPTI’s, seven of which have successfully gone through the AAPTI course in my tenure and two looking to progress on to RAPTC selection. The Regiment have fully embraced the new APTS and the AAPTIs continue to develop their skills learnt on course by receiving regular workshops. This has ensured they instil good movement patterns along with the development of strength. This has been fundamental as a majority of the Unit’s primary role involves huge amounts of manual handling and repetitive loading of
ships. This has also made a notable improvement already on the Units deployable personnel statistics.
I am at the half way point of running a second Do-Fit course within the Regiment. The success has continued with many doing well and some great success stories to date. The AAPTI’s are a brilliant link and asset to the Unit, effortlessly providing and promoting their sports and encouraging others to join in.
The Unit have had some admirable performances this year within a vast array of sports, just to mention a few: The Du preez brothers both gaining GB age groupers in half ironman and Olympic distance triathlon. Fishing – Cpl Jones representing GB and LCpl Morton pictured in catch of the day, selected to represent the UKAF. RLC ladies swimming team scooping second place in the RLC Championships.
The team have made a great effort in making PT fun wherever possible with fancy dress and themed sessions at festive periods throughout the year such as the successful fancy dress Christmas Zumba.
All in all, it has been an outstanding year at the unit, continued sporting success, more trained AAPTI’s, the continuation of Do-fit, charity work and the introduction of THOR. It has been a pleasure and it was a highlight for my time to be capped off by my efforts being recognised by me receiving a GOC FTC commendation which was announced alongside the New Year’s honours list.
Boogie Bounce
Xmas PT
Following on from last year’s article I have decided not to mention the role of a Warrant Officer within the Army Inspectorate (as this was mentioned in last year’s MBS),
instead I will inform and update you all on key events that have taken place over the last year. At a time of you reading this article I would have served for over 2 years in the Army Inspectorate and I must say that my time here has been thoroughly enjoyable. Having had the opportunity to work with exceptional Staff Officers and to be exposed to some key work strands that have shaped Army Policy, I must say has been fantastic and a real eye opener.
In October 2017, we (as an Inspectorate) saw a change of Army Inspectors. Brigadier Andrew Hughes CBE left the Army having served for over 30 years, first enlisting into the 17th/21st Lancers in 1986. From Commanding his troop during the Cold War, going
on to Command the Queens Royal Lancers and then 11 Infantry Brigade in 2014, as well as Commanding Defence’s contribution to the United Kingdom’s response to the Ebola epidemic he completed his service by becoming the first Colonel of The Royal Lancers; a role he had the absolute honour of fulfilling. We wish Brigadier Andrew and his family all the very best for their future endeavours.
The New Year saw a new Army Inspector. Brigadier Ben Wrench assumed command of the Army Inspectorate in December 2017.
The year started with a bang; we immediately started work on the Review of the Army’s Safety, Lessons, Organisational Learning and Assurance Mechanisms. An all-encompassing Review that was the main effort for the whole department. Traditionally, the
THE ARMY INSPECTORATE
WO2 (QMSI) J Essam RAPTC