Fusilier Tony Green - an introduction!
I'm 34 years old and I am a soldier in the Territorial Army. In my civilian life I have been a civil servant for 6 years. Before that I have done just about any job you care to think of from child care to Private Investigation (yes really).
The cause of this chaotic and baffling career history is quite simple: I didn't join the forces when I should have!
Why I didn't has many reasons; being too settled with my home life, dreams of great riches in a less demanding job or that whichever girl I was madly in love with at the time wouldn't allow it. If I'm honest I was probably also reluctant to work long hours, be given long postings overseas or in particular - to put myself in any kind of physical danger. By joining the TA in my mid twenties I thought that I could enjoy the best of both worlds.
As a result of this the irony was not lost on me when I spent my 29th birthday cowering from Scud missiles in a trench thousands of miles away from home in 2003 (after just having worked for twenty hours straight!). I was serving with a TA medical unit and I had found myself suddenly in the middle of a real-life shooting war!
So, an appreciation of irony aside why am I about to go again?
The other day I was watching a war film and at one point an officer was considering why his men had volunteered for service. He noted that to some it was to be part of a great adventure, others volunteered because they were ashamed at not to and finally there were those who had done so because it was the 'right thing to do'.
My own reasons are a mixture of all the above with one extra element: Becoming a territorial was probably the best thing I have ever done. As a result when the question regarding operational service is asked my answer will always be 'yes'. That is the commitment, that is the duty and I am proud to be a part of it.
I also need to pay off a credit card bill and the money I save while I'm out there will certainly help!
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Fusilier Tony Green - an introduction!.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://blogs.birminghammail.net/cgi-bin/mt421/mt-tb.cgi/114860
1 Comments
Leave a comment
Profile
Fusilier Paul Dorrell - 4 Mercian, Sheldon
Corporal Tony Green - from Kings Heath 202 Field Hospital
Hi there,
My son...aged 19 has just been sent over there, 2 weeks ago.
We live in Stirchley.
He joined the Army 18 mths ago and says it's the best thing he ever did.
He's already been to Germany, Ireland and Canada, learnt to drive and is fitter now than he's ever been.
This is just a note to say a huge well done to you and everyone you are working with...it's a vote of support.... and to remind you that there are people here who miss you lot!!!