Page 83 - RAPTC Year of 2019

Having completed my first year serving alongside, The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, I have found it’s a posting where I have had to hit
the ground running. I find the new post challenging but equally enjoyable and I was able to make some positive developments to Physical Development (PD) within the Unit, such as upscaling the facilities to enable smoother delivery of the Army Physical Training System (APTS), revising the execution and developing the manpower. These changes have been welcomed within the Bn and we are moving at a rapid pace in a positive direction.
The pace of life has been relentless at 1 SCOTS due to the Bn’s role as a Specialised Infantry Battalion (Spec Inf). Each Company are on an ORM of 8-month cycles consisting of a Campaigning, Training and Contingency cycle – completing a 24 month period for a typical Spec Inf Coy. During my first few months I found myself deploying to Nigeria to conduct a PD assurance visit where, I quickly understood the levels of constraints placed on the Bn to deliver the task at hand, in this case, to train the Nigerian Special Forces.
With the amount of Operations 1 SCOTS conduct it is crucial that soldiers can conduct as much Sport and AT as possible. This is not only aimed at reducing operational and occupational stress but also aimed at retaining people, which is certainly the case for 1 SCOTS. Upon returning from Nigeria I had a quick turn around and found myself on EXERCISE FINN BEAR which was a two- week scuba-diving Exped in Malta. At times there were some uncomfortable moments (30m’s down and swimming around a ship wreck), but an unforgettable experience nonetheless.
It is difficult at times to ensure our sports teams are at their full capacity but we still compete and do well in judo, golf, football and British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF) to name a few. BAWF in
XMAS PT Setup
1 SCOTS & Armed Forces Nigeria
SSgt (SSI) G Crossett RAPTC
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THE ROYAL SCOTS BORDERERS
1st BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND
particular is gaining traction and we were placed 2nd in their first Northern Ireland BAWF competition, one of many sports that has directly benefitted from the upscaling in the facilities. I have also recently taken on the role of Northern Ireland Football Secretary. The NI Football league is a 50/50 split of Regular and Reserve Units which makes for interesting match-ups and is great for the integration of our Reserve Units here in Northern Ireland.
As we move into 2020 the Bn’s FOE is as busy as ever with multiple Operational commitments across Africa and Middle East and also at the forefront of 1 SCOTS minds is a Unit move to Aldershot in the summer of 2021. We will also continue our commitments to Sport and AT with Expeds planned to America, France and Croatia. I am fortunate to be serving alongside an excellent Battalion and I am excited and looking forward to my second year with 1 SCOTS and the challenges ahead.
Ex Finn Bear