WHAT PT WILL YOU DO AT RMC?

Maintaining your fitness as an officer is crucial. You are in a position of leadership and must set an example for your soldiers. If your subordinates see you at PT and can see that you care about maintaining a high level of fitness then this will naturally earn you a higher level of respect. If you are applying for RMC, please read on...

If you’re appointing as an Army Officer soon then you know that you’ll be heading off to spend 18 months at Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC). This is a very exciting time in your life and you’ve likely got a lot on your mind in the lead up. 18 months is a long time to be considered a ‘trainee’. During this time you’re going to be learning so much. How to be a leader, how to command troops and how to manage soldiers. In amongst that you’ll be learning the basics such as how to use a weapon, how to write official documents, how to write and deliver orders and will also be required to study almost every night.

So when do you get time to go to the gym and maintain your fitness?

Maintaining your fitness as an officer is crucial. You are in a position of leadership and must set an example for your soldiers. If your subordinates see you at PT and can see that you care about maintaining a high level of fitness then this will naturally earn you a higher level of respect.

We’ve asked some former TBG members about the PT they have been conducting whilst at RMC. So instead of being surprised and somewhat unprepared when you get there, we’ve decided to spill some of the secrets to help you get ready. This will allow you to redirect your training prior to your appointment date to ensure you’re ready for anything that they throw at you.

Officer Cadets currently training at RMC have heavily emphasised the importance of fitness. You have the ability right now to train hard prior to your appointment and make life easier on yourself. Especially when it comes to field exercises which you can expect to be very challenging.

Prepare yourself as best you can to ensure you avoid injuries. The better prepared you are the stronger you will be.

INITIAL CADET TRAINING (ICT) - 10 WEEKS
That’s right. RMC has its own ‘Basic Training’ Phase. It’s three months long and is designed to have a similar outcome to Kapooka by instilling teamwork and a military mindset.

During this time you’ll be geographically separated from the College. During this initial phase you will conduct organised PT 3 - 4 times a week. It is all conducted outdoors (which is great news for those of you on a July intake. We have word that the temperatures in Canberra are around -5 each morning).

You can expect:

• Pack Marching (Weekly or Fortnightly)
• Strength & Conditioning style circuits that will always include 1 to 2 big lifts, such as squat or deadlift and a range of other exercises. These circuits always involve pull ups.
• Pull ups will be weighted if you can achieve more than 10.
  
  

COLLEGE PT
When you’re back at the college after ICT the PT sessions will mostly be conducted in the gym. These sessions will generally be Strength & Conditioning based. You will do 3 scheduled sessions a week.

You can expect:

• Weighted exercises such as bench press and squats
• Circuits
• 6 months into RMC there is a shift towards Battle PT (jerry carry, obstacle course, jerry pushes, leopard crawls, tyre flips, pack marching with approx 30kg in packs).
• Sport is a big part of life at RMC. You will also play sport twice a week. 
• PT can be quite varied, however it also depends on where you’re up to in the training continuum on your course. If you’re preparing to go out field then you will conduct training in the lead up to reflect what’s required during your field exercise. 
• Recovery PT upon return from field. 

OWN PT

• There is a big focus on you conducting your own PT. You will need to be disciplined to ensure you conduct these sessions in your own time.
• PTIs develop personalised programs for each Officer Cadet that you will conduct in your own time.

FACILITIES

• Gym (Weight racks, climbing wall, machines)
• Pool (during spring and summer)
• Running Tracks (Athletics)

STAFF
All PT sessions are run by PTIs (Physical Training Instructors).

After reading this, you will have a comprehensive idea as to what is expected of you once you arrive at RMC.

It’s important to ensure the training you are conducting now is setting you up for success in the future. Stick to training that is relevant and is going to assist you in mastering the basics and then work up to the more advanced training.

If you would like some guidance in structuring your training appropriately, please get in contact with our expert coaching team here

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