Page 52 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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The main focus for the Battalion was Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) after assuming the role on 1 Jan 17. This saw the Battalion complete various exercises and live firing training packages. The Battalion readiness was tested with a deployment on Ex NOBLE JUMP 2, Romania. I deployed as part of the Commanding Officers TAC Group, working with The Sergeant Major responsible for ammo re-supply and CASEVAC.
1ST BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS
SSgt (SSI) K Emmerson RAPTC
Ex NOBLE JUMP2
On 27-30 Nov was the Inter Company Boxing Competition. I was detailed to organise the event but also coach the Headquarter Boxing Team. The event was a huge success and the evening was live streamed via Facebook and was followed by thousands of people. On a coaching front Headquarter Company had 3 finalists which was an achievement on its own, finishing with one champion at light heavyweight and 2 runners up at both middleweight and heavyweight.
On the sporting front the
Battalion grows from strength to
strength, having various members representing their Corps, Army and UKAF in the various disciplines; Football, Rugby, Hockey and Sailing to name a few.
The Battalion football team were very successful in my first season of management. They became Army FA UK South Unit League Champions, Army FA UK South Central Premier Division Champions and runners up in Army FA 6-a-side Football competition. Unfortunately we were knocked out of the semi-final of the Army FA Unit League Champions by a very strong 1 Signal Regiment side (overall winners of the competition) in a narrow defeat. The game was played at Cherrywood Road Community Stadium home of Farnborough Football Club which was a great experience for all the lads involved and the fixture was open to the general public to spectate.
After a well-deserved summer leave the Battalion continued its VJTF focus but still found time to deploy on Ex GRENADIER GETAWAY. This was a Battalion level AT multi activity package in Cornwall. This was a welcomed change for the troops to switch focus from green soldiering, but still be tested in a diverse environment.
More exercises and Battalion live firing packages followed over the months. The Commanding Officer’s TAC Group conducted day and night contact drills using TES during one sports afternoon.
Upon completion of the Inter Company Boxing we went straight into the HDiv Boxing Championships. With less than a week turn around we managed to pull a team together consisting of 4 boxers to compete. Out of the 4 boxers we had achieved 2 finalists. Both individuals became the winners of their weight category and crowned HDiv Cruiserweight and Heavyweight Champion.
We continued to run robust Commanding Officer Physical Training alongside some Inter Company Sports Competition’s, Cross Country, British Army Warrior Fitness and multi sports.
I continued my secretary appointment as Army FA UK South Football League Secretary which has seen an increase on fixtures and participation over the previous season.
After an extremely busy VJTF period we handed the responsibility over on 1 Jan 18 and now look forward to operations. The Battalion will deploy on the following; Op SHADER (Iraq), Op TORAL (Afghanistan) and Op TRENTON (South Sudan) in the summer 2018. The upcoming months will be extremely busy with preparations for the deployments with countless exercises, MATTS, live firing packages, driving courses and where I can squeeze in some sport and AT.
1GG Bn Football Team AFA Unit League Champions Changing Room
AFA Unit League Champions
Inter Company Boxing Competition Ring HDiv_Boxing
Inter_Company_Boxing