Recently by Corporal Tony Green

One reason that I feel that I may be able to contribute something meaningful to the tour is, as I have already mentioned, because I have already done one.

Admittedly Afghanistan in 2009 is a completely different situation to Iraq in early 2003 I know that some things will probably be the same.

I know, for example that the heat will drive me mad for a couple of days before I quickly become used to it. Ditto, sand, dust, flies and lack of beer. I have resigned myself to (at least) one serious bout of diarrhoea and vomiting (apparently known as the Bastion Quick-Step) as I remember from Iraq that no amount of sanitation, clean living, Imodium or prayer can stop it if it wants you. I know also that I will miss my friends and family terribly.

Life before deployment is one long list. It seems in fact that the list gets longer as the time that we actually bid an iconic and teary farewell to our loved ones at train stations draws near.

Sitting in my flat last night I became aware that there was virtually no part of my life that did not require some manner of pre deployment preparation. This is made just a little worse by the fact that I am not just reminded of this by notes scrawled on the 'Gemma Atkinson' calendar I have in my kitchen but by everything I look at during my waking hours.

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!