Page 69 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

Another very busy and successful Training Year (Trg Yr) for the R Mon RE(M). The Annual Continuous Training (ACT) was held in Romania, Spring and Autumn Rides (Trade training camps within the Army Reserves (AR)), Ex Frozen Dragon, Ex Telemark Titan, Sapper 300 and the source of the River Wye bike and trek to name but a few.......
The ACT, Ex Resolute Castle was a Multinational construction exercise where the Regiment was part of a joint US National Guard and Romanian Army task force. This exercise lasted for 6 weeks; this was split into 3 ROTOs to provide the 2 week camp requirement. Each ROTO was given a specific task to achieve, each paving the way to overall completion; all Sub Units experienced the country’s sunny/wet conditions making each phase of construction as demanding as each other.
The Regiment continues to be a thriving Force Support Engineer Unit, with many live construction tasks being conducted throughout the UK; Windsor Castle, Caerwent Training Area and Pontrilas Training Area (PATA).
PD within the Regiment continues to struggle with the PFA parameters, as it is seen as an “Attempt” not as “Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory/Poor” due to AR policy, this needs to change to
R Mon RE(M) – 1917
ensure ALL MFD personnel are fit to deploy as part of a regular deployment such as Op TRENTON.
AT remains strong within the Regiment. Ex Frozen Dragon saw 37 pax deploy to the French Alps to take part in skiing skills courses and gaining qualifications. Back in the UK there were various Level 1 AT packages run by Sub Units. Team sport attendance remains low; this is due to continued clash of Civilian work Vs AR output.
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required to ensure the human element of Army has the strategic edge.
Future ambitions see the role out of the physical assessment platform, allowing individuals to be assessed in key components of fitness, followed by receiving a training programme targeted at developing their deficient areas of fitness. In an effort to promoting healthy competition, the introduction of the Churchill Cup is an annual event that sees Company’s competing against each other in a number of physical demanding challenges. Towards the end of 2017 saw the first Churchill Cup event taking place, namely the Fire Team Throwdown. Lastly, future intentions are to expand the OPC into the adjacent hanger, allowing the OPC with the size it needs to cater for all forms physical training.
Approaching the end of a two-year assignment at MOD St Athan, I have without doubt experienced the ‘fast and furious’ pace that exists within a high profile unit. What initially felt like jumping into the ‘deep end’ during my early days as a main stream RAPTCI, has transformed into a feeling of gratitude, pride and satisfaction. I would strongly encourage any ERI not to hesitate in making the decision to step out of the rehabilitation world should the opportunity present itself. I have had a privileged time with the unit; learnt a great deal personally and professionally; reaffirmed the importance of the budget holder; made a number of positive changes; had more good days than bad; realised there’s no such thing as a ‘soft landing’; and met some inspirational men and women along the way. I look forward to moving on from MOD St Athan, into not just a new chapter, but a whole new book!
ROYAL MONMOUTHSHIRE ROYAL ENGINEERS(MILITIA)
SSgt (SSI) GM Heycock RAPTC (R)
HEADQUARTERS FORCE TROOPS COMMAND G7 PD BRANCH
WO1 (SMI) D Taylor, Maj (MAA) R Lundie & WO1 (SMI) M Arlow RAPTC
HQ FTC comprises 10 specialist Brigades with a
total of 119 units, which
is broken down into 55
Regular, 22 Hybrid and
42 Reserve units giving
a grand total of 40,717
civilian and military
personnel liability. FTC
swiftly established itself
as a highly capable and
adaptable organisation
that is the one stop
shop for Command
Support, Combat Support and Combat Service Support. Over the past 18 months FTC has delivered operational success in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Chad, Nepal, Iraq
and numerous counter terrorism operations. A2020 re-structuring will see FTC reduce in size to 5 specialist Brigades and reorganise to generate an Information Manoeuvre formation at IOC NLT Apr 18 and FOC NLT Apr 19.
The all staff inclusion initiatives between the Civil Service and Military personnel has been a key driver of the GOC’s
during his tenure and a great success. The PD staff have been at the forefront of a number of superb events such as team mountain bike rides, BBQ and sports day and the Xmas officers Vs WOs’ &