Page 8 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Work continues on these aspects but clearly the RAPTC will be responsible for delivering the tests once policy, test content and standards are defined. In this way the RAPTC will lead another significant change process in the Army. The new tests will corroborate the APTS and is hand in glove with the RAPTC’s main effort.
At the Comdt’s Conference 2018 the theme was focussed on coaching behaviours. Once again it was excellent to see so many officers and soldiers in Wand Tetley gymnasium. It was impressive to see the interaction both during presentations and whilst exploring our sponsors stands. HQ RAPTC, through Capt Jack Horner, will define how we will take this forward in the next year. This extremely important issue presents another opportunity for the Corps to show leadership by linking science and practice together in order to improve our approach to coaching delivery in the Army. HQ RAPTC is working on a couple of themes for the Conference in 2019 again linking evidence to practice with a view to reinforcing our current pathway.
The Association and the Branches have been ever productive again this last year. From the hugely successful gathering at the National Memorial Arboretum in Sep 17 through all the really excellent Branch dinners to planning for the Reunion in Sep 18. My personal view is that we should all be very grateful that the Branch volunteers give so much of their time to help and support others. It is humbling and inspiring that they do this on all our behalves and I would like to recognise their commitment to personnel who are serving and have served in our Corps – Branch Chairmen, Secretaries and supporters are the epitome of selfless commitment. I do think that serving RAPTC personnel could do more to support the Branches in which they sit, including attending respective Branch dinners; I look forward to seeing this in 2019.
In the meantime, I commend this issue of the MBS to you. It documents our living history and remains as relevant now as when it started. I look to the serving cohort to get behind our main effort, the APTS and Army’s new fitness tests. Finally, I hope to get to see as many retired and serving personnel as I can in the coming year.
It only seems like yesterday that Maj (MAA) S D Collinson
Commandant’s Conference 2018
The change a few years ago from the old Study Period format to the new Conference structure, I believe has proven to be a success. This year’s conference was no different and was delivered successfully due to a ‘true’ team effort by the HQ RAPTC and ASPT Staff. These conferences provide a platform for HQ RAPTC
HEADQUARTERS ROYAL ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS – POLICY & PLANS
Capt (MAA) G Logan RAPTC – SO3 Policy & Plans
RAPTC and I took over
the appointments of
SO2 and SO3 Policy
and Plans from Maj
(MAA) G C Hendrickson
MBE RAPTC and Capt
(MAA) I J N Bareham
RAPTC. However, at
the time of writing this
article Steve and I have
been in post for over
11 months; ‘time flies
by when you’re having
fun’! Previous MBS articles have articulated the rapid speed at which the Headquarters functions and during my tenure this has not relented. There are numerous business strands covered by the Headquarters in support of both serving and retired RAPTC personnel. In this update I will attempt to give you a flavour of some of the areas in which we are involved.
Manning
Corps manning is in a healthy state and with a strong inflow forecast through RAPTC Selection, we are definitely in a better position than the majority of other cap badges. Despite a slight rise last year, our statistics for voluntary outflow are amongst the lowest in the Army. This I believe demonstrates the Corps’ ability to offer a range of highly rewarding and diverse roles in order to stimulate both recruitment and retention. Even though manning levels are currently strong, management of our liabilities is complex and requires meticulous analysis and attention to detail in order to interpret the numerous liability planning forecasts that Steve receives from Directorate Manning (Army) during his weekly Manning Brick meetings at Army Headquarters. RAPTC (Reserve) recruitment is growing steadily and we have to date filled 24 liabilities out of a possible 59 (2 x OF2 and 57 x SSgt/Sgt). Therefore, if you are leaving Regular Service in the near future or have left in recent years, why not consider joining the RAPTC (Reserve). Please contact either myself or WO1 (SMI) Paul Holden RAPTC for further information on the RAPTC (Reserve).
Maj (MAA) Steve Collinson
Capt (MAA) Gary Logan
WO1 (SMI) Paul Holden
to deliver a centralised message and subsequent direction across the Corps. This is central to our survival and successful implementation of key initiatives such as Programme Training Human Optimisation for Readiness (THOR). Initial feedback on this year’s conference has been very positive and it was great to see so many members of the Corps attend the highly enjoyable All Ranks THOR Dinner in the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess, which was a fitting end to the Conference.
Commissioning Process
This year will see the introduction of a revised commissioning process as the Army moves to a generic LE Commissioning structure. Each Arm/Corps will now have to facilitate a Late Entry Commissioning Assessment Board (LE CAB) which, in turn, will inform their respective Commissioning Arms Selection Boards (ASBs) that will convene at APC Glasgow later in the autumn. Work is currently being conducted to develop the RAPTC LE CAB which is due to take place in early September. Preliminary planning suggests that the LE CAB will now take place over 2 days and could include; a planning exercise, interviews, verbal and written briefs and a discussion group. At the end of the LE CAB, a report will be produced which will go forward with the individual’s Commissioning paperwork and their Annual Report Books to the ASB.