In the deep end
Sydney students get a taste of the green machine

Students from Sydney’s Waverly College give it all to keep their heads above water during a PT session at Holsworthy. Photo by Capt Paul Manuel, UNSWR

By Capt Paul Manuel

“THIS is easy!” the Waverley College student smugly called out during the warm up phase of his first encounter with Army PT.

An hour later the same student was struggling to punch out more than three heaves after a comprehensive thrashing from cadre staff of UNSWR and PTI Cpl Scott Freeman.

About 50 students and three staff from the Sydney college had hopped off the bus at Holsworthy gym full of enthusiasm after a week-long Rugby camp at the AIS. At the end of the session, they staggered back onto the bus with a healthy appreciation of how the Army does PT.

The mostly Year 11 and 12 students received a briefing from UNSWR’s recruiting officer about Army careers before getting into the good stuff.

PT favourites such as rope carry, push-ups, military press and carrying large heavy things for long periods of time took a great deal of the bravado out of the boys and soon had them gasping for air and a cool drink.

To push them further, Cpl Freeman tasked them as small groups to swim the length of the pool with an APC road wheel – a challenging activity for fit, trained soldiers.

The students showed great determination in maintaining the pace and surprised the Army staff with their physical courage.