Page 120 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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JOINT SERVICE ADVENTUROUS TRAINING WING (CYPRUS) – LAND ACTIVITY BRANCH
MBF course at Stavrovouni, Sgt (SI) Kirby and his students briefing before the next leg
Sgts (SIs) Kirby, Mortimer and Thurlbeck taking in the views at the top of Mount Olympus
Training (LDT) which has been embraced by both instructors and students across all courses. Using controlled exposure to risk, we put personnel into situations outside of their comfort zones and then take advantage of this time spent at stretch to encourage and develop skills such as coping mechanisms; which will help them overcome stressful situations in their daily duties and on operations. These courses are designed and conducted to help develop attributes they already have but might not be aware of.
With new courses, new instructors and an exciting programme for the coming year, The JSATW(C) LAB continues to be an amazing opportunity for its RAPTCIs.
It has been another busy and rewarding year for the JSATW(C) Land Activity Branch with a relentless programme of course delivery. The latest addition to the programme is the Mountain
Bike Foundation (MBF) course. Cyprus offers a great selection of terrain and exposure for the mountain biking courses, which add to the experience of developing personnel mentally and physically to achieve the aims of Adventurous Training (AT). The uptake and success of the MBF course was such that, having delivered five courses in year one, this has been increased to 13 courses in the coming training year.
Alongside the MBF courses, there has been a massive push on the developmental aims of AT with Leadership Development
Sgt (SI) T Kirby RAPTC
JOINT SERVICE ADVENTUROUS TRAINING WING (CYPRUS) – SUB AQUA BRANCH
The 2019 season was a year of firsts, trials and opportunities seized that has paved the way for an exciting 2020. The first ever JSATW(C) Diving Concentration ran successfully; opening the door for three similar concentrations to take place across 2020. These concentrations are open to any serving military personnel that wish to consolidate and advance their diving skills and experience above BSAC Sports Diver level. With recent changes to the awarding criteria for BSAC Sports Diver qualification, these concentrations are now fundamental to service divers’ progression through the scheme.
In 2017 Cyprus was awarded a European project to sink an artificial reef in the form of an old cargo ship. In true Cypriot fashion the original sinking date of April 2018 slipped right to November 2019! Regardless of the sinking date, there is now a new wreck to explore, just five minutes transit from JSATW(C) Sub Aqua Branch, perfect for every level of diver.
The newest wreck – MV Elpida
RAPTC Expedition, A rather wet tableaux!
Finally, JSATW(C) were fortunate enough to acquire a membrane compressor which will be installed and running by March 2020. This means that every visiting expedition to JSATW(C) will now be able to dive Nitrox gases.
The so what....2020 is the year to get out from behind the desk or off the gym floor and come diving. To apply for a place on the sub aqua diving concentrations, a sub aqua diving course, or for further information on how to come over on expedition please visit the ATG(A) site via Defence Gateway or get in contact with the CI.
Sgt (SI) Ben Swinfield RAPTC