Page 15 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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Having worked as the TDT Senior Analyst 15 years previously, an assignment back to HQ RAPTC as a SO2 was a welcome opportunity to work with a small team on training design
& Corps business was exciting. Also, it was a refreshing change after two dynamic years at Army HQ, whilst I really enjoyed Army HQ and gained excellent KSE, a shorter commute and a quieter working environment in Aldershot were positives. Quickly settling in, I started to realise the depths and diversity of the job; not just DSAT work, many other aspects which I have précised below.
TDT’s primary function is to provide Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) support to the Training Requirement Authority (TRA), for us, there is one TRA in Army HQ (for all AT courses), the other is HQ RAPTC for PTI / PT courses a total of 80+ courses to develop with two different Course Design Cells. This functional up keep is no easy task, further complexity and impact is added from the steady flow of Army HQ & HQ Home Command (HC) tasks. During my arrival interview, the SMAA highlighted, “Nick, we need to be more DSAT compliant, please focus on this primary TDT function”, this has become a bit of a standing joke as another task lands in the inbox, you soon realise this is the norm for a busy Corps HQ.
Aside from the intermittent progress of training design work, the team have achieved so much, the following is an overview. Whilst the Army Physical Training System (APTS) has been implemented, TDT continue to develop & refine resources to support and assure the system. The Lone Soldier PT Programme (LSPTP) has been converted into a user-friendly PDF and further work has just begun to develop this, into an App. To assist the Army apply and assure the APTS, learning support and improvements to the PT Management Tool, FISS and ODR have been delivered; all have been well received. With GCC PES implementation, the PTI Fitness Policy has been rewritten and the team are supporting the ongoing Non GCC PES R&D, implementation is due Apr 21.
Support to the Women’s Health & Rehabilitation WG has been steady, HQ has assisted JS policy development, and PTI learning to support this population, the culmination will be a JS PTI training package and overarching policy. Another workforce aspect; has been the team’s
involvement with the development of the ‘Army Peoples’ website. The aim being, a central health and wellbeing support area for our soldiers, externally this website advertises the Army as a people focused business to help with recruiting and retention.
Whilst the various projects of Programme THOR are refined or awaiting decisions, Project 5 – PD Infrastructure Study is making steady gains. In August 19, Maj Brian Dupree moved on, since then the project post has been gapped, therefore this work has fallen to others. That said, progress has been achieved, a Strength & Conditioning Centre (S&CC) ‘Proof of Concept’, updates to JSP 315 with S&CC specifications & an Army PD infra survey, have all been completed. Survey analysis is currently ongoing and a report to the Optimising Physical Performance team at Army HQ is being shaped.
Whilst the above may seem a heavy workload, there are many opportunities to escape the HQ for sport & AT, in Jan 20 we had an excellent AT expedition to Les Deux Alpes where a full range of ski foundation awards were achieved, thanks goes to SSgt Lee Hathaway as the Exped Ldr.
This year there have been team changes, as I arrived, so did WO1 Gary Chekansky as the new TSA and WO2 Rog Harden return from BATUK to join the team, both excellent additions to the current mature and skilled TDT members. Therefore, farewells are to, Maj Chris Deed, SMI (now Capt) Suff Suffield and WO2 John Marshall, they are sincerely thanked for their work and commitment to HQ business over their tenures.
At the time of writing, COVID-19 restrictions tighten, the team now working from home so task coordination is different, with no access or disturbance from MoDnet inboxes we should make positive progress into many work threads. Before handing over to the team, to apprise on their diverse work and experiences, I would like to thank them for their hard work and support so far and going forward. Without their commitment the TDT & HQ would not achieve so much.
TRAINING DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Maj (MAA) N O’Shea RAPTC
From the dark depths of a Yorkshire cave, to finding myself posted to the bright lights of HQ RAPTC, I was like whoa! I must admit, all the memories, my experience and the
perceptions of Aldershot came flooding back, however, I couldn’t have been more wrong, and the perceptions are so further from the truth. The experience gained whilst in the TDT have been one of the most valuable and rewarding I have completed in my RAPTC career.
During my 9 months in post and after the steep learning curve had levelled out; I came to understand what the DSAT process actually was and why we use it (it’s not all that dull). As the SMI in TDT you are in a very empowered position, one of the main tasks is the management and development of the RAPTC Selection course on behalf of the SMAA, this is in addition to your daily responsibilities, managing & mentoring the team and all the other left and right flanking tasks from the SO2. Since being in TDT, the team have produced some amazing work from LSPTP to PT education for the ALDP training packages and organising the RSP content and the delivery of Technical Deficit Training packages, the list is ‘long’. The majority of my work is keeping a watching eye on the ever-changing policies and how changes and new direction will impact the delivery of PT and AT courses, once analysed I discuss the DSAT impact
with the team for them to work their magic, before moving it onto the CDC teams.
I would recommend this position to all WO1s and use it for what it has to offer, it will add to your KSE and portfolio. Sadly, my time in the Army has come to an end after 24 years it’s time for me to make a move and start my civilian chapter. I will dearly miss the people, the jobs and the RAPTC.
HQ RAPTC delivery team at the RSP Cyprus
WO1 (SMI) G Chekansky RAPTC (TSA)