Corporal Tom’s RAF journey spans 13 years as a regular. This includes eight years as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) and five years as a Sergeant Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI). His career has taken him as far as the Falklands and onto adventurous training expeditions, one of which saw him visit the real-life location that inspired The Great Escape. Even there, he couldn’t resist competition, squeezing in a 10k race and placing 3rd in his age group.
Now serving fulltime as a mobilised reservist with 505 Reserve Squadron, RAF St Mawgan, Corporal Tom plays a central role in keeping personnel fit, motivated, rehabilitated and mission ready. He assists with the management of the station gym, conducts fitness testing and various physical conditioning sessions, as well as overseeing equipment procurement and ensuring budgets and accounts stay on track. His transition from regular to reservist was seamless, and he credits the RAF’s enhanced learning credits with helping him gain multiple qualifications while serving.
Alongside his military duties, Tom runs his own Osteopath clinic in Truro (Stimulis Osteopathy) where he provides Osteopathy, Exercise Therapy and various other rehabilitation modalities. Drawing on an impressive academic background: a degree in Sports and Exercise Science, a master’s in Sports and Exercise Physiology, and a degree in Osteopathy, his clinical expertise, combined with his ERI experience, has shaped him into a highly respected practitioner.
Sport remains at the heart of everything he does. A former national standard runner, he specialises in endurance events and volunteers as a coach with Cornwall Athletics Club. In addition, he also provides coaching sessions to Perranporth Trail Runners. As a qualified England Athletics Event Group Coach, he gives back to the community by supporting local athletes with the same dedication he brings to the RAF.
His own endurance achievements are remarkable. In one standout challenge, he ran from John O’Groats to Land’s End, over 850 miles in just 25 days, raising money for the mental health charity MIND. He marked his arrival at Land’s End with a lifechanging moment, proposing to his now wife, who also serves as a PTI at RAF St Mawgan.
Despite an extraordinary list of accomplishments, academically and physically, colleagues describe Corporal Tom as modest and humble. What stands out most is his commitment not only to the RAF, but to his community and to helping others reach their potential.
RAF St Mawgan is proud to have him on the team, and Cornwall is all the stronger for his contribution.
If you’re ready to challenge yourself, meet amazing people, and see what you’re truly capable of, the RAF Reserves at RAF St Mawgan are waiting for you. Like Corporal Tom, you might discover new opportunities. Find ‘505 Squadron’ on Facebook to find out what they’re up to and to keep an eye on when their next Open Day is. What are you waiting for?
