How it all started

• Sports and fitness has always been Simon’s first choice career.
• 2002 became British champion in Modern Pentathlon.
• 2002 left school and took a gap year to train full time (swimming, running, fencing, shooting and show jumping).
• During gap year, applied to join the RAF as a PTI and passed.
• Became a Corporal after PTI training.
• On completion of training, Simon resumed his sports career and is now back in the British team.

“It was a big decision because I had my heart set on becoming a professional athlete, but this job just gets better and better.”

Specialisations

Remedial training – helping people overcome sports injuries and build up their fitness.

Responsibilities

• The fitness of all personnel at RAF Leeming.
• Conduct annual fitness test.
• Design training courses.
• Trains the RAF Regiment, ensuring soldiers achieve fitness required before deployment.
• Works on post ejection or SERE (Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion) drills for Pilots.

Most recent tour of duty

Summer 2007 – Based in Qatar in the Middle East with Operation Telic, where he was the sole PTI for 400 troops from the Army, Navy and RAF.

“It was an amazing experience, but very difficult to train in 45 degree heat.”

Weekly training regime for the Olympics

• Fencing – 4 hours
• Swimming – 5 hours
• Running – 5 hours
• Shooting – 3 hours
• Riding – 3 hours.

“I have a very understanding line manager at Leeming who tries to accommodate my training regime.”

Passions

Being able to train as well as working and coaching other people.

The great diversity in being a PTI.

Taking personnel on adventure training courses.

“We use adventure training as a way to teach teamwork and leadership skills. The RAF encourages you to do lots of things besides your job because as well as being great fun, it’s about personal development.”

The future mapped out

• Currently planning a hiking trip with his team to the Grand Canyon in the USA.
• Plans to build on his skills and become a ski instructor for the RAF.
• Intends to study for a sports-related university degree with RAF support.

“That’s the great thing about this job. I’ve had so many choices, like becoming a parachute instructor, or specialising in adventure training. There is great variety.”

Simon's career tip

“The best career advice you can get is seeing the job done for yourself. In my case, I saw what an amazing role the PTIs played and decided it was for me.”

Life as a PTI – fancy it?

• The RAF trains about 30 PTIs every year.
• Candidates are assessed on their fitness, teamwork skills, leadership, public speaking, group tasks and teaching abilities.