Army Physical Training Corps Recruiting

You must join the Army first……	All officers and soldiers in the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) have joined the Corps from other professional soldiering backgrounds.  No direct entry currently exists because it is important that you are an experienced soldier before training as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI).   Personnel wishing to become a PTI within the Army must first join a Regiment or Corps. The principle of soldier first – PTI second is essential……   Recruiting is an activity that is carried out by the trained personnel employed by the Army’s Recruiting Group.  They are able to provide professional guidance to individuals who show an interest in an Army career.  If you have the aptitude, you will be enlisted and given a start date to begin training at a Phase 1 Training Regiment.  If you have aspirations of becoming a PTI, you must first become a fully trained soldier in a regiment or corps before you are able to take your first course towards a career in the APTC by attending the All Arms PTI course.  For further details on recruitment into the Army visit their site here.  You will find all the information required for attending a recruiting office and will gain information on the many jobs available within the Army.  These are your first steps towards a career as a PTI, but remember the role of a PTI is not an easy option; the courses are very demanding and require long term dedication; both physically and mentally.
become a trained professional soldier…..	Once you have enlisted and completed your training you will join your selected unit.  It is now that the work starts; to become a PTI you must first gain the relevant skills, fitness and experience to attend the nine week All Arms PTI course held at the Army School of Physical Training in Aldershot, or Sennelager, for those stationed in Germany.  Passing this course is a major hurdle, but it allows you to work as a PTI within your own unit or to be posted as a PTI to a training establishment.
then gain experience in your unit……..	Gaining experience as a trained soldier will aide individuals in adopting the skills required to successfully pass the All Arms PTI course.  These skills include:  leadership, comradeship, enthusiasm, respect, integrity, team spirit and many more, which only come from experience of working in arduous environments and working within a team.  Whichever part of the Army you join, this will be invaluable when it comes to attending your first PTI course.
The All Arms PTI Course on parade…	If you feel you have what it takes to make a PTI, then we want to see you.  More than 400 new PTIs are trained every year and you could be one.  At the end of the course you will know how the body works, the principles of physical training and be able to conduct all types of fitness training and testing. You will also be entitled to wear the crossed swords badge on your uniform, which indicates you are a qualified PTI. You even gain qualifications that are recognised outside the Army, which will give you transferable skills when you leave.  Remember, that there is no minimum time to serve in order to apply.  You simply have to demonstrate that you are fit enough, have the qualities of a non commissioned officer, and have the aptitude to make an instructor.  Go to the ASPT website for a complete breakdown of course application procedures and pre-course standards.  The page details all relevant information, including the course content and testing processes.  Enter here...
Gaining experience as a PTI …………	Once qualified as an All Arms PTI, you can be employed throughout the Army delivering physical training.  You will have an extremely important role to play and other soldiers and officers will look to you for sound advice on health and fitness issues.  Gaining experience as an instructor is vital if you plan to further your career as a PTI.  Delivering daily fitness sessions over a period of time will also aid in the progression of your skills acquired from the course.  If, after gaining experience, you feel you have the qualities and aptitude to become an Army Physical Training Corps Instructor (APTCI), then you must apply for the five day selection course.  However, ensure you are ready to take the challenge. Only the best are selected so ensure you are fully prepared; visit the APTC Selection page here to gain details of standards and course content. The APTC can only take the best 36 candidates each year; so ensure you are fully prepared. Speak to your unit APTCI for further advice and tips on preparation.
The Selection Course command tasks……	Once you have gained experience at a Field Army unit or in a training establishment, you should be ready for the Selection Course, which is 5 days long, conducted in Aldershot, and includes a range of tests and assessments that will determine your suitability to transfer.  There will be one APTC officer and one senior warrant officer assigned to each syndicate of 8 candidates.  There are written tests, group discussions, command tasks, lectures and, of course, lots of physical tests, that will push some individuals to their limits.  The most important qualities that the selection team are looking for are those of a senior non commissioned officer, because if you pass, you are promoted to Sergeant to attend the next course.  Successful candidates are allocated a place on the PTI Class 1 course and given a date to return.  Further information on the application process and pre-requisites can be found on the ASPT website.
Proud to become part of an elite Corps….	The PTI Class 1 course is held at the ASPT in Aldershot.  It last 30 weeks and is split into three 10 week terms.  The course is designed to give candidates all the skills and knowledge for a career in the APTC.  Students will conduct and be given an insight into the specialist APTC areas of Adventurous Training and Rehabilitation, as well as qualifications in a range of sports and activities.  Everyone must also pass the Health Trainer package, which provides instructors with the necessary skills to advise on a number of issues; such as healthy eating, mental and sexual health and the benefits of sensible alcohol consumption and giving up smoking.  Clearly, with all this it is not difficult to see why the APTC needs to recruit good role models, who walk the walk as well as talking the talk.  It is a demanding 30 weeks that requires complete dedication.  However, at the end of it, you will transfer into the APTC as a Sergeant Instructor with an excellent mix of military and civilian qualifications, including the highest level award from the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and a Cert Ed from a reputable university.
Badge of honour……..	Those who successfully complete the course will transfer into the APTC. In front of family and friends they will have the Corps Badge placed on their chest, which marks the beginning of a new and exciting career.  A new vocation, which has great opportunities for promotion, career and personal development and job satisfaction that is second to none.  Not surprising that the APTC has the best retention rates in the Army. During the later phase of the course candidates will be allocated posts into one of the 3 areas of APTC expertise – Remedial Instructor, Physical Training Instructor or Adventurous Training Instructor.  The APTC Career Management Policy gives details on each of these career routes, including guidance on promotion time scales and much more.  To read more go to the Career Management Policy area of the APTC website
From entering the Corps, a career path will be determined in consultation with each individual, which is based upon the needs of the Service, with the wishes of the individual and his family, a close second.  Regardless of the area of expertise that an individual follows, instructors will always serve in the Field Army to gain important experience in an independent appointment as a commanding officer’s adviser.   For further details about  each of the career opportunities available, click the relevant link below:   Physical Training Instructor (PTI)   Remedial Instructor (RI)   Adventurous Training Instructor (ATI)

ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS

PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTOR (PTI)

The following details are for general guidance purposes only

The following details are for general guidance purposes only

Once you have transferred; you will attend the Remedial Instructor course at the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, which is near Epsom in Surrey.  Students will include PTIs from all 3 Service PT Branches.  The course is 6 months of arduous studies, clinical practice and assessments.  It is also a fantastic opportunity to improve your detailed understanding of a wide range of subjects within medical rehabilitation and exercise therapy. Once qualified; you’ll spend at least two tours as an RI, working in units such as Regional Rehabilitation Units (RRUs) or Primary Care Rehabilitation Facilities (PCRFs).  You could also stay at Headley Court, where up to 10 instructors are employed working with patients with more serious injuries.  For your first appointment you will normally work for an APTC warrant officer, who will assist with your continued professional development.  During this time you may also do an operational tour as an RI, working as part of a multi discipline medical team.  Once you have attained promotion to Staff Sergeant you will be employed in the Field Army, acting independently as a generalist PTI, within a wide range of units, covering every aspect of fitness training in readiness for operational deployments and training for war.  Following promotion to warrant officer individuals could return to an RRU as the senior RI, or maybe even teach at the RI School or work at the ASPT as the RI specialist.  Those good enough and selected for Warrant Officer Class 1 can be employed within any of the posts shown for the mainstream PTI.  However, they can also be appointed to one of two posts at Headley Court, as either the Trade Specialist Adviser, working in the Defence Directorate of Rehabilitation, or within the RI School as the senior instructor.  Those who demonstrate the aptitude will have an opportunity for a second career as a Late Entry officer within the APTC, or even with another Corps, if vacancies become available. 

ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS

ADVENTUROUS TRAINING INSTRUCTOR

The following details are for general guidance purposes only

Those who are selected will attend the 6 month Adventurous Training Instructor (ATI) course in Llanwrst, North Wales and qualify in a wide range of Adventurous Training (outdoor pursuits) qualifications.  Once qualified you will be employed to deliver Adventurous Training in a variety of units from recruit training establishments to Joint Service centres spread across the UK and as far apart as Cyprus, Germany, Norway and Canada. In many you will normally work for an APTC warrant officer, who will assist with your continued professional development.  Once you have attained promotion to Staff Sergeant you will be employed in the Field Army, acting independently as a generalist PTI, within a wide range of units, covering every aspect of fitness training in readiness for operational deployments and training for war.  Following promotion to warrant officer individuals could return to a number of Senior Instructor posts in any of the centres that have them.  Those good enough and selected for Warrant Officer Class 1 can be employed within any of the posts shown for the mainstream PTI.  However, they can also be appointed to one of two posts that are for specialist ATIs.  One is Chief Instructor of the centre in Canada; the other is Chief Instructor at a centre for recruit training in Sennybridge, South Wales.  Those who demonstrate the aptitude will have an opportunity for a second career as a Late Entry officer within the APTC, or even with another Corps, if vacancies become available. 

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