Life at 7 Para RHA Workshop

Iam currently posted to 7 Para RHA Workshop working as a Class 1 Vehicle Mechanic. I was posted into 7 Para RHA in October 2021.

The Unit is held at high readiness, so it is very busy and fast paced; this is exactly what I wanted, and it has not disappointed.

In the past 12 months, the Workshop has deployed on numerous large exercises including Ex CYPHER DEVIL in America and Ex SWIFT RESPONSE in North Macedonia. These deployments were incredibly successful and vehicle availability on the home bank continued to meet readiness standards. Even with all these taskings going on, as a Workshop we have still managed to get away on adventurous training and several sporting events.

Day to day life within the Workshop is very busy. We remain at high readiness which means we can deploy out the door at a moment’s notice; the vehicle fleet must be kept at the highest standard. I personally prefer this way of life as it keeps me on my toes and very much on top of vehicle knowledge and repair skills. There is a great work-life balance at this Unit.

7 Para RHA love to represent in all sports. There are countless opportunities to get involved in all areas such as the Football and Rugby teams to the Cross-Country and mountain biking teams. There is even a regimental parachuting team which is open for the soldiers who have passed BPC; the parachuting jumps course. Every week there seems to be new and exciting opportunities for a range of different sports.

Ex CYPHER DEVIL saw four members of the Workshop deploy to Fort Bragg in North Carolina for an interoperability exercise with American Airbourne forces. The intent was to learn how they operate and work together in readiness for future operations and NATO exercises. There was also time in the schedule for some well-earned down time seeing the Workshop visit places such as Nashville Tennessee, Washington DC and Atlanta.

Ex SWIFT RESPONSE saw six members of the Workshop deploy to North Macedonia for a NATO multi-national exercise hosted by the American Army. This was the biggest multinational exercise in recent history. The Workshop helped maintain the vehicle fleet allowing the Artillery gun Battery to deliver effective firing throughout.

The Workshop has also sent a few members on other tasking such as Op ELGIN, supporting the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo and to Jordan on a Short-Term Training Team deployment for an interoperability exercise; delivering equipment care lessons to the Jordanians.

The Workshop deployed to Ortez, Austria for Ex EAGLE SPANNER for a well-earned week of adventurous training. This saw the whole Workshop take part in mountaineering, mountain biking, white water rafting and canyoneering. Our ASM and OC are always very keen for the Workshop to deploy on some AT every year, so I am excited to be involved in next year’s opportunity, whatever it entails.

Other members of the Workshop have also managed to get away on several courses such as Mountain Bike Instructor Level 3, Mountain Bike Maintainers, Pinzgauer Maintainer, 118 Light Gun Maintainer which will all benefit the Workshop in the Engineering side as well as AT and sports.

Physical training is an important part of 7 Para RHA as members of the unit aspire to pass the All Arms PreParachute Selection Course (AAPPS). On arrival, there are opportunities to start training through the unit’s pre-para training; it involves having extra PT sessions throughout the week to help get soldiers ready for the challenge that AAPPS entails. Once both the individual and chain of command are content that they are ready to attempt the course, an 8-week pre-para conditioning package is conducted; developing physical endurance and mental robustness. After this a screening day occurs where you will have to pass an AFT within 2 hours and a 1.5mile run in under 9:15. If successful you will then head up to

Catterick to complete 3 weeks of AAPPS. I went through the process myself when I turned up to the unit and was successful. I can honestly say that the QMSI and his team of PTI’s do an amazing job of building everyone up gradually, so they peak once they get to Catterick. Gone are the days where soldiers were ‘beasted’ for 8 weeks potentially being sent up with injuries.

Looking to next year I am looking forward to all the potential opportunities that are ahead including a skiing trip to Austria in January where I and three other members will be completing our SF2 and SF3 qualification. In March we will enter a team for the Commando speed march up in Scotland. Next year we also have deployments to Kenya for a CT4 Brigade level exercise and to America to further improve our interoperability skills and improve relations in preparation for future operations. A great place to work and a great team to be a part of, I thoroughly recommend 7 Para RHA as a posting.