Page 84 - RAPTC Year of 2019

82
www.raptcassociation.org.uk
NORTHERN IRELAND GARRISON SUPPORT UNIT (NIGSU)
The transfer of RAPTCI Cse No. 216 marked the end of a fantastic 3 years for me as the RAPTCI Cse Instructor in one of the most rewarding jobs available within the Corps. The end of this challenge signified the beginning of a new one. In Feb 19 I was informed that I would be the Station QMSI for the NIGSU based in Lisburn Northern Ireland. Having never served in NI, it was an opportunity not to be missed.
The NIGSU QMSI is responsible for the Physical Development (PD) output for three Stations in the Province, Lisburn, Holywood and Aldergrove Flying Station. I arrived at the Unit during a restructuring period and swiftly introduced and implemented the Army Physical Training System to all locations to develop the Soldier Athlete capability of all within the Bde. Although a small Unit on paper, the NIGSU is responsible for providing real life support to 3 Major Units within the Province, 2 RIFLES, 1 SCOTS and 5 AAC, 3 Sub Units, a Bde HQ and a plethora of Army Reserve Units.
My main priority on arrival was to review the 3 Gymnasiums on Thiepval Barracks to ensure they were delivering separate requirements to the PD effort and not duplicating whilst at the same time taking resources away from our primary focus. Having done this, my next project involved the implementation of Bde Career Professional Development (CPD) to all
USA & WO2 Murray & Richmond RAPTC – Vietnam
RAPTC Golf Tour USA
RAPTCI’s, AAPTI’s (Reg and Res) and SIO’s, which provided the ideal platform to enhance their personal and professional development and ensured we all remained current and aligned with wider PD policy whilst delivering the best product to the soldiers within our AOR.
It hasn’t all been work though, in Jun 19 I set off for Myrtle Beach in the USA for the RAPTC Golf Tour, the great thing about golf, is it brings generations together to walk the fairways and spend time reminiscing and comparing current and past climates within the RAPTC, not forgetting the social elements in the evening where the stories and the beers continued. A special mention to my “Swamp” buddy who shall remain nameless after the quote “I’m sure we can jump that ditch Al”. In Feb 20 I was also lucky enough to visit Vietnam as part of a Bde Battlefield Study, again, an experience that will last a lifetime and a continual reminder of the perks that come with being employed within the Armed Forces.
In closing, I must mention my fantastic team, made up of AAPTI’s, SIO PT’s and SIO Pool, you are a tremendously hard-working group of individuals who constantly pull together to deliver a fantastic and important output in support of the Bde. For those looking for the next challenge, The NIGSU QMSI role is a complex and ever evolving position that has everything a WO2 requires to develop and thrive.
WO2 (QMSI) A Murray RAPTC
I’ve been having a fantastic time at 5 Regiment Army Air Corps (5 AAC); they have embraced me and made me feel like
a family member since day one. As usual the Regiment operates at a very high tempo by providing vitally important aerial support in Northern Ireland (NI) 24hrs a day and 365 days a year.
By implementing the Soldier Conditioning Review (SCR) and the Army Physical Training System (APTS) I have created a culture whereby all officers and soldiers understand the rationale, the health benefits and the sports specific benefits of the SCR and APTS. By promoting the Athlete Soldier philosophy, we have seen 5 AAC dominate sports in 38 (Irish) Brigade by winning all sports events, ranging from squash, volleyball, cross country, football, swimming, athletics, orienteering and rugby. We also performed extremely well at Army, Tri Service and International level and I have been fortunate enough to be part of a very strong RAPTC Masters Cross Country Team which won gold at the Army Championships in February 2020.
SSgt Maleiba at Checkpoint Charlie
SSgt Maleiba at the Berlin Olympic Stadium
I have my fingers in many different pies, by supporting the AT, Sports and MATT2 needs of Junior Cadets, University Cadets and Reserve. I have recently completed a Bsc Hons Degree in Strength and Conditioning at the University of St Mark and St John and completed a Strength and Conditioning Internship at the Jordanstown University. This gave me the opportunity to work alongside the Performance Director, Mr William Moore by providing the strength and conditioning needs for NI junior golfers, NI junior sailors, NI junior girls and ladies footballers.
I have also been able to attend Battlefield studies to Berlin and Italy which is a great opportunity to learn and reflect on the past, present and the future. As a Station we have been involved in various charity events which ranged from a Wives Charity Walk up Slieve Donard, 24hr squash competition, 24hr charity run, fancy dress run, 38 (Irish) Brigade 30km charity rowing competition and Wattbike challenge to name a few and in doing so we have raised more than £3200 for the Army Benevolent Fund. I am looking forward to our skiing trip to Chamonix France in March 2020.
5 REGIMENT ARMY AIR CORPS
SSgt (SSI) B Maleiba RAPTC