Page 28 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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Iarrived at the unit in Sept 19 and It quickly became apparent that there was room for improvement with regards to how individuals within the various PT levels conducted their
training. With the main unit effort to improve deployability, I began by revitalising the PD processes to ensure soldiers were managed correctly and achieved the aim of returning to their primary roles fit and healthy.
The unit had previously run a Dragon Platoon over a 9-week period with students conducting 2 to 3 PT sessions daily, purely concentrating on the physical aspect of returning to their role. This was difficult for sub units to manage, as losing a soldier for a 9-week period was just too long. The aim of restructuring the course was to make the course manageable for the sub units to release students full time to enable them to return fully fit whilst also improving their education. To assist with the revitalised programme, I began by renaming the course to ‘Dragons Course’ to change the mindset of students who thought they would just be in the gym conducting physical training.
Dragons course is made up of soldiers from across the 1 R Welsh who have been identified as needing level 2 (Reconditioning, fitness failures and BCM very high risk) physical training. Dragons course delivers highly focussed and supervised reconditioning physical training with health education over a 6-week period, which restores base levels of fitness, develops muscular and cardio vascular capacity, whilst educating students on better healthy living and lifestyle choices. Soldiers will be delivered back to their relevant companies better educated, having achieved the MATT 2 fitness standard and upgraded to MFD.
The initial stats and data from the first course are outstanding with an average weight loss of 8kg, a 70% reduction in smoking and all students returning to their sub units having completed and passed all MATT 2 tests. We are currently running the second iteration of Dragons Course and will review their progress and validate whether the Dragon Course has a lasting impact on students who attended and how they have coped with normal Battalion life. Feedback to the PD department suggests students that have completed the course, have returned to their sub units far more effective than before.
1ST BATTALION THE ROYAL WELSH
SSgt (SSI) S Smith RAPTC
1ST REGIMENT ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY
SSgt (SSI) J Dean RAPTC
The South York’s & Midland Gunners (1 RHA) were formed on 1st May 1938, Although the individual batteries which compose the Regiment have existed for some 145 years beforehand. Their history exudes an impressive campaign history, which includes North Africa, Aden, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
This fast-tempo battle rhythm continues with E Battery currently deployed on OP CABRIT 5, B Battery preparing to deploy on OP CABRIT 6 and A Battery (The Chestnut Troop) also preparing to deploy on OP CABRIT 7 and BATUS on Ex PRAIRIE STORM 20/1. With that said, the Regiment continues to maintain a winning spirt, team cohesion, high levels of discipline and leadership which is often displayed through sporting achievements across the year; the Tug Of War team were invited to the Braemar Gathering, the Alpine Skiing Team won the Inter Unit Slalom, Inter Unit
Giant Super Slalom and the Inter Unit Alpine Combination at the Gunner Championships. These winning accolades have also been mirrored by LBdr Craig Edwards who has recently been selected to attend the RAPTC Class One Course.
Whilst achieving these sporting successes, the main focus was the plethora of operational requirements throughout the calendar year and beyond. The Regiment has physically ‘trained smart’ in order to fulfil both operational requirements and provide the Regiment with battlefield casualty replacements from within the rear operating group.
Furthermore, the Regiment have endured additional pressures over the past year with an establishment move from Tidworth to Larkhill Garrison and the logistics of not having a gymnasium however, plans are in place to co-inhabit a shiny new Physical & Recreational Training Facility by April 2020 which will clearly enhance physical training delivery tenfold.
As I reflect on my second assignment with the Royal Artillery, I can wholeheartedly say that I have relished every challenge I have encountered and all other aspects of my role here at 1 RHA. I am in the fortunate position to have been appointed to a regiment that fully supports and endorses physical development not only in the confines of gymnasium, but across the medium of sport and adventurous training. I can unreservedly recommend an assignment to 1 RHA for fellow Corps instructors as it offers a fulfilling and demanding post; with lots of ‘added extras’.