2010 Paulatim Magazine - RAAMC Association

Considering the Deployable Role for
Army Physical Training Instructors
This year 15 PTIs have been deployed, have just returned or are
preparing for operations. These PTIs have been deployed on all manner
of operations from Afghanistan to PNG and yet not one was deployed
with a medical unit or in the primary role of rehabilitation. These PTIs
provided support by delivering the five mandated services. They are
adaptive and are able to concentrate their efforts at any time on the
main focus and requirements of the unit.
PTIs have long concentrated on developing skills, enhancing physical
and emotional resilience, maintaining soldier wellbeing and inculcating
a sense of teamwork and Army ethos amongst the participants in
physical activities. The diagram, shown below, highlights the services
that are provided by Army PTIs. However, it would appear that whilst
other Corps and units have embraced all that a PTI can deliver, RAAMC
focus and attitude towards PTIs remains exclusively in the rehabilitation
environment. The capabilities of PTIs are interconnected and at
different times the focus may change so that the primary services can
be delivered to meet the commander’s intent.
• leadership in injury prevention through:
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scientifically based and progressive training regimes,
training and assurance strategies to monitor the conduct of
sport and physical training activities.
developing physical and mental resilience in soldiers, and
analysis of injury data and trends.
LWD 1-2 Combat Health Support 2009 states that physical activity is
important for health and well being and LWP 1-2-3 Health Support
Battalion 2005 identifies that preventative health can be achieved
through health education and promotion, injury prevention and
Physical Training. The later also states that PTIs provide limited rehab
services and that PTIs contribute to the rehab team. This reinforces
that PTIs provide physical conditioning within the rehabilitation
environment. PTIs are taught in the rehabilitation module at the
ADFPTS that they do not treat the injury. PTIs are trained to provide
physical conditioning to maintain non injured sights and deliver
progressive training to allow personnel to return to the work
environment.
LWP 1-2-3 states that PTIs assists in developing capability to endure
physical and emotional stress and it is reasonable to expect that
personnel working in the health fraternity on operations would benefit
equally from a physical training program that has been adopted for the
operational environment to ensure maintenance in the deployable
force.
These defined and mandated roles enhance combat power by:
• physical training to compliment foundation warfighting and skills
associated with performing the role of an Australian Soldier,
• morale support activities to sustain cognitive capabilities, positive
attitudes and encourage sound lifestyle behaviours;
• supervise, provide instruction and governance over the complex
military self defence environment;
• physical conditioning, skill development and leadership in the
physical rehabilitation and mental health environment; and
RAAMC policy documents clearly articulate the role of PTIs and physical
training. PTIs can contribute significantly not only to the well being of
personnel receiving care from the health units, but also to the members
of the unit. PTIs are able to provide services that will promote health,
enhance capability and contribute to the health status of any
deployable force.
PTIs provide physical conditioning in the rehabilitation environment and
I hope that personnel within the Corps will start to think in this vein. I
encourage those who are considering manning for RAAMC operational
commitments in the future to consider all that PTIs can deliver and not
just to think of them strictly as a rehabilitation option.
By: WO1 Clayton Baker
7 6 P A U L AT I M – M A GAZINE O F T HE R OYA L A U S T R A L I A N A R M Y M E DICAL C O R P S – 2 0 1 0