Army Recruit Training Centre - Physical Training

Physical and Recreational Training (P&RT) is tasked with conducting Physical Training (PT) for recruits and staff of the Kapooka Military Area (KMA). Eleven Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) are necessary to facilitate the multifaceted activities that the recruits are required to perform. Recruit training has a structured PT program, which must be strictly adhered to. The primary focus of recruit PT is skill acquisition and education. P&RT are also required to present a wide variety of PT lessons for the staff. This provided through a combination of indoor and outdoor activities, pool lessons and battle PT sessions.

The Recruit Training Course consists of a 80 day program. Integrated into this program are 28 PT sessions. These are known as Maintain Fitness (MF) lessons.
The various lessons have been carefully designed to educate, improve and motivate the trainees.

Staff PT is designed to develop and educate members as individuals and within a team environment. Liaison with the units commanders is necessary to specifically tailor a PT program to enable the unit to achieve the intended goal/s.

The role of P&RT is to conduct Physical Training (PT) for ARTC staff and 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1RTB) recruits. The PTIs are required to perform the following tasks:

During 1983 extensions and renovations were made to improve the gymnasium. More changerooms were added to the pool area to accommodate increased usage especially with the introduction of females to recruit training. Continuing on the same level a viewing gallery was constructed to oversee the gym floor. The gym floor was added to provide an indoor environment to conduct sporting activities and military lessons. Beneath the new changerooms a large office area for the PTI's was built.

In 2000 the obstacle course underwent major construction. Many of the old obstacles were demolished and replaced with new and more functional ones. During 2001 the obstacle course evolved to become more challenging and transferable to military training. To accommodate the busy periods, another obstacle course was built adjacent to the existing one. Many of the obstacles are similar, although new ones have been introduced to test the application of current skills combined with minor technique changes to negotiate the obstacles safely.

The gymnasium staff have many mechanisms to facilitate improvements to all indoor and outdoor areas. This process requires the consideration of safety factors, environmental conditions, recruit skills and relevance to military training.

The gymnasium consists of eleven Physical Training Instructors (PTIs). P&RTS is managed by the PT Supervisor who is currently a Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2). There are four sergeants (SGT) and six corporals (CPL) to conduct lessons, complete associated paperwork and any other tasking that is required.

Kapooka Medical Centre (KMC) is located with the KMA. There is a PTI permanently posted to KMC. He/she is required to conduct KMC staff PT and assist the Physiotherapy Department with the rehabilitation of injured recruits and staff. Occasionally the KMC PTI assists the ARTC gymnasium when required.

A close working relationship exists between the civilian contractor, British Aerospace Eurest (BAE), who is currently employed to maintain and supervise the gymnasium. Close liaison is required to ensure that scheduled maintenance and emergency repairs are completed in an appropriate timeframe. BAE staff assist the PTIs with lesson preparation, pool supervision and ordering equipment.

Sub Unit PT Leaders / Combat Fitness Leaders are used regularly to assist the PTIs with both recruit and staff PT. They are a valuable resource which enables training to continue without disruption.

ARTC place a strong emphasis on injury prevention. This is based on the numerous studies and statistics provided by the Defence Injury Prevention Program (DIPP). Many of the PT lessons have been modified to ensure that recruits are less likely to injure themselves due to fatigue or complexity.