Page 60 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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It has been a very busy and challenging 12 months since returning from the ERI cadre
and taking over the mainstream role at 2 Battalion in Leuchars, St Andrews.
The Unit continues to support many of the current on-going Ops and Exercises across the globe such as; Poland, Kenya, Iraq, South Sudan and the Falkland Islands, as well as supporting Exercise Wessex Storm, Sentinal, Trident Juncture, Askari Tempest and Northern Fox.
This alone brings its own challenges, such as programming an appropriate periodised Physical Training Programme that will cater for all but also allow those deploying at different times the opportunity to be as fit as they can be in time for deployment.
The 75th Anniversary of the
REME, aka REME 75, also
brought with it a busy year
of events and celebrations.
The pinnacle of the Battalions
celebrations saw a REME 75
Highland Games event run in the beautiful surroundings of St Andrews University. REME attachments from all round Scotland where invited to take part in traditional Highland Games events, such as; tossing the cabre, weight for distance, weight over the bar, tug ‘O war and strongman competition. The event proved to be a huge success and all the effort in the months leading up to the event paid off.
The Battalion’s leadership week is one of the main efforts in the calendar year and is a week spent in Barry Buddon investing time and effort into challenging all Ranks in putting the 7 leadership behaviours into practise. One of the more physical aspects is the wind swept Barry Buddon assault course which seen all 6 sections being challenged over the 27 obstacles individually and as sections. The week was rounded off with a very challenging March and Shoot element which tested, not only physical fitness, but a soldiers ability to maintain a level head under extreme conditions and apply everything taught over the past few days.
The year culminated in the Battalion hosting the REME Corps Boxing Champs. REME Units from all over the UK descended on Leuchars and put on a fantastic show throughout the prelims and the finals night. Again the Battalion put on a very successful event and again proved itself in hosting such a
large event at a time where the Unit is extremely busy.
In the coming months there will continue to be a busy period of deployments across the Unit, as well as many sporting events and AT, 2018 looks set to be as busy as 2017. “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano”
2 CLOSE SUPPORT BATTALION REME
SSgt (SSI) D Holden RAPTC