CSgt Steve Burgon Chief Instructor

CSgt Steve Burgon joined the Royal Marines in January 1982 and enjoyed a variety of drafts before deciding on a career as a PTI.

As a PTI, he excelled in a variety of sporting activities, before becoming a GB age group champion in both Nordic skiing and triathlon.

By 2000 he changed emphasis and started working on his AT qualifications

He now holds Summer and winter Mountaineering leader, summer and winter climbing Instructor, alpine, Nordic and touring instructor, as well as kayaking / canoeing instructor awards.

His future aspirations are to work towards the Joint Services Mountain Guide scheme and BASI Nordic tutor.

POPT Richy Gray Senior Instructor

Born in Edinburgh in 1971 and joined the Royal Navy in 1991 as a Radio Operator.

He transferred to the PT branch in 1995 and has served on the most ships of the staff.

Richy was drafted to Gibraltar for 2 and a half years before joining the NOCG where he really enjoys his AT.

When off watch Richy likes to read Naval history and spend time with his wife and three daughters.

David Beuzeval

I was found abandoned in a kayak wearing ski boots in august 1977. Since this historical day I have devoted my life to both skiing and kayaking. However, along the way I also tried my hand at climbing, mountain biking, open boating, conquering various mountains and generally living the dream. It's a hard life.

Sam Burns

In 1978 I joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers then later in 1986 I transferred to the Royal Army Physical Training Corp (RAPTC) where my career as an Adventurous Trainer began. I served as a level 4 trainer of AT in Ripon, Ballachulish, Kingusie, Tywyn and ATC Bavaria upon where I left the Military and live to this day. I hold many AT qualifications from the Mountain Instructor Certificate (MIC) and the German Army top mountaineering award Heeresbergfuhrer (HBF) that is their mountain guide certificate, among many others I have achieved whilst serving for Her Majesty. My job is also my hobby seeing me outdoors when ever possible doing the things I enjoy in the mountains.

POPT Jamie Buttle

POPT Jamie Buttle joined the Royal Navy in 1997 as a Marine Engineer Mechanic after serving on HMS Fearless up until 2002, he then chose to transfer to the Physical Training Branch and qualified as a PTI in 2003. Having passed the inaugural Royal Navy Adventurous training course, he now finds himself working at the Naval Outdoor Centre in Germany. A gifted sportsman he has represented the Royal Navy as a Biathlete, Cross Country Skiing, Cross Country Running and Athletics. He lives and works in Germany with his wife and twin boys.

POPT Tim Eckersley

Tim joined the Royal Navy in 2001 and transferred to the Physical Training Branch in 2004. After several years as a General PT, Tim chose to move into Adventurous Training and attended the first RNATI course at the Joint Service Adventure Training School in North Wales.

After qualifying in 2009, Tim was posted to HMS Drake as the Regional Adventure Training Instructor for the South West. His position at this level 2 centre allowed him to progress further into the Mountain Bike Instructors Award Scheme and gain winter based qualifications in preparation for his draft to NOCG.

Tim was drafted to NOCG in September 2011 and feels truly privileged to work in such an outstanding environment and be able to share it with his wife Linsay and their young boy Ellis.

POPT Karl Hille

POPT Karl Hille Joined the Navy in 1990 as an Air Engineering Mechanic, once he finished his on job training was drafted to 707 Sqd at RNAS Yeovilton. From there his next draft was onboard HMS INVINCIBLE; it was here were he saw the light and started training for PT Aptitude however, due to injuries he was delayed in his pursuit. Eventually to pass his aptitude in 1996 and join HMS TEMERAIRE in 1997 where he completed his PT course in Oct 1997.

He has had two Type 23's as a PTI then drafted to OLTE Talybont were he found his passion for AT which has led him down the AT route and to a draft in Gibraltar and on to present glorious day in Bavaria, with his wife and two boys.

LPT Jonathan Logan

Jonny joined the Navy in 2002 and spent time as an MEM on HMS EXETER and HMS ARK ROYAL.

He became a PTI in 2008 and joined HMS RALEIGH as a phase 1 instructor.

Shortly afterwards he attended the first navy ATI course at JSATI in North Wales.

After gaining his ATI badge he joined HMS CUMBERLAND and deployed to the gulf where he had the good fortune of participating in NEO operations in Libya.

Jonny joined NOCG in July 2011. He is married to Victoria and they have a collie called Flo, they all enjoy walking, mountain biking and lots of climbing (especially Flo). Jonny also spends a lot of his time kayaking and bouldering and is looking forward to dusting off his snowboard and learning to ski in the winter.

Jonathan May

Born Catterick 1976.

Joined the Army (REME) in 1993, trained as an Armourer. Didn't really warm to that so took up AT.

Attained my first ski instructor qualification in 1998 and have kept upgrading them ever since.

Hoping to finish off my Basi level 4 ISTD this year, just the speed test to go!!!

Since I left the Army in 2006 I've been improving my AT quals across the board. For me the love is winter skiing and summer kayaking.

The other activities are awesome but you can only have a few favourites.

I live out here in Germany full time with my girlfriend Vicki who also has the same job but chooses to work freelance as she enjoys the freedom of work choice.

LPT Gareth Reid

LPT Blood Reid joined the Royal Navy in Feb 2002 and passed out specialising in Communications. After spending time onboard HMS Richmond and HMS St Albans, he decided his way forward would be in the PT branch and did so passing out as an PT Instructor in Nov 2007.

He went on to HMS Raleigh taking the Phase one trainees through. Taking classes up onto Dartmoor for weekends instructing in map and compass work and leadership skill is where Blood found himself more at home and went down to work in the AT department for 2 months. He knew from this small time spent that he wanted to further his qualifications and specialise in AT.

After being drafted onboard HMS Cumberland as the sole PTI, he enquired about his new found past times and hobbies and finally found himself on the second Navy ATI course held within Llanwrst, North Wales. Passing all the output standards set, he took his ATI badge with pride out to NOCG where he will now venture and develop himself in all AT and leadership skills.

Blood Reid is originally from a small town called Corby in Northamptonshire and currently is in a relationship with Abbi who also likes to delve into the world of AT.