Page 7 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

used for the good and benefit of Association members. Our Investments have performed well but we are not complacent and I can assure you that the Trustees and I remain vigilant and keep a close watchful eye on the investments.
Welfare. As a result of the income we receive the Association is able to provide welfare and benevolence support to some of our members who find themselves in difficult times and require help. The provision of benevolence is confidential but I can report that the Association has continued to provide support to a number of serving and retired members of the Association during this reporting period. We have also provided grants for the Association Branches, Corps sports teams, remembrance services, the MBS and history book. Information, including the criteria for receiving welfare and benevolence support from the Association can be found on the RAPTC Association website.
Association Branches. The six UK Association Branches continue to provide a local focus, particularly for the retired members. I am indebted to, and thank the Chairmen, Secretaries and their helpers for their commitment without which the Branches would not exist. Their work should never be underestimated and the results are immeasurable. In recognition of this work and the resulting benefits for the members I am pleased to confirm the trustees are fully committed to supporting them and will continue to provide annual grants for the Branches.
RAPTC History Book. I am pleased to note that the RAPTC history book has been published on time and within budget. The book was completely funded by the Association with only post and packaging paid for by those eligible to receive the book. Distribution is on-going but we have received countless plaudits and on behalf of all Association members I thank Nikolai Bogdanovic (author), Lt Col (Retd) Gary Jones (Regt Sec), Maj (MAA) Steve Collinson RAPTC (Project Officer), Adam Culling and Eli Dawson (museum curators) for all their efforts in producing an excellent, professional, contemporary book and bringing the Corps history into the public domain.
RAPTC Remembrance Service. A biennial remembrance service was held at the National Memorial Arboretum on 16 Sep 17 fully funded by the Association with refreshments and the finger buffet free to those attending. The day proved to be a great
success with over 180 members attending and the trustees have now formally included this occasion in the Association calendar with the next service at the RAPTC memorial planned for Sep 2019.
RAPTC Honour Boards. Two new honour boards have been mounted in Fox gymnasium to remember those members of the Corps who have died in service (not attributable to active duty). The boards were kindly produced free of charge by the staff at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for which we are most grateful. A dedication service for the boards will take place during the reunion weekend in Sep 18.
National Remembrance. For good reason the security surrounding the national remembrance services has been notably tightened resulting in additional administrative action required for those attending. Despite this, the Association managed to use its allocation of tickets at the annual Field of Remembrance Service and Cenotaph March Past. These are important national events and I thank all those who gave up their time to represent the RAPTC Association.
Reunion. The biennial Association Reunion will take place in Aldershot over the period 14 / 15 Sep 18. The cost of entertainment and food will be borne by the Association and will be free for those attending. Details for the reunion will be distributed over the coming months.
Remembrance 2018. 2018 is also the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day and the Association will endeavour to mount a full contingent at the national remembrance services; ticket details will be distributed in the lead up to the event.
Conclusion. The work of the Association is diverse and impacts on our members in numerous ways; this work is often done in the background without public recognition but I am pleased that we have, once again, met the objectives of the charity and the Association continues to provide a service that is beneficial to all our members. I recognise the hard work and commitment it takes to keep the Association true to its objectives so I thank the Trustees, the Regimental Secretary and his assistant for their continued support to ensure the Association endures and remains fit for purpose.
This is the 101st iteration of our Corps Journal and as mentioned last year, enables us to reflect on our activity in the previous year and therefore capture outputs, achievements and awards for historical reference in future years. It is an important document and equally it is important that we continue to contribute to its pages. What always strikes me is the amount of excellence produced by our serving and retired Association members and I wish to touch on some of those areas in this introduction.
The RAPTC has, in no uncertain terms, been in the
spotlight over the last year. The highest echelons of the
Army rightly looked to the RAPTC to reshape physical
training in the Field Army. In response, the Corps,
through numerous individuals, has developed Training Human Optimisation for Readiness (THOR), which is a Programme that consists of 5 projects. THOR will be detailed in the 2019 edition of the MBS but this year there is a section that describes Project 1
of THOR, the Army Physical Training System (APTS). I have been enormously impressed by the enthusiasm by which the APTS has been adopted by Corps men and women in the units in which they serve. Many of you have been able to work through the challenges of implementing the APTS, not least convincing the chain of command, and shown very favourable early results, particularly the reduction of musculoskeletal injuries. Reducing injury is a key factor in contributing to an effective fighting force by increasing the number of personnel able to deploy. The APTS is the Corps’ main effort now and in the coming years.
You will be aware that the Army is to introduce a new
battery of fitness tests for its personnel. The RAPTC has been at the forefront of the development of policy to support the delivery of the tests in the guise of Lt Col Mark Lewis, Lt Col Ian Phillips and Maj Mark Field. The Corps has also been involved in the shaping of the respective tests and the associated standards.
SENIOR MASTER AT ARMS
Lt Col (Retd) T P Scarr MSc RAPTC
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