Last updated 15:35, Friday, 27 June 2008

FOR Lance Corporal Stewart Graham, the Army was the only career he ever wanted to follow. From a young age he would dream of joining up, and being of an active nature and an Army Cadet, he knew it was the perfect choice for him.

Stewart Graham: ‘I love everything about the Army; you can be anything you want to be

At the age of 16 the former Southfield School pupil started a two-year welding course at Lakes College in preparation for enrolling with the army.

“I knew I would end up joining the army; it was the only thing I ever wanted to do,” said Stewart. “I made the decision to wait until I was 18-years-old before enrolling. It just felt like the right age for me and I was more mature.”

Stewart, 24, who is in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, went to Workington’s army careers office and on November 22, 2002, he was enrolled.

So eager was he to get started he asked to be fast-tracked and began his infantry training only two weeks after enrolling.

His first day of training at Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, saw Stewart being shown round what was to be his home for the next 24 weeks.

He recalled: “Our first six weeks of training involved drills and presentations. We also had to complete assessments which showed your strength and team-building abilities.

“At the end of those six weeks we had our pass parade ceremony where family and friends could come and see you awarded your beret.

“From then on our training upped its pace and we had rifle lessons, field and map-reading exercises with constant work on our fitness in between. After which came another pass parade.

“Because I joined the army when I was 18 my training was only 24 weeks long, but if I had enrolled when I was 16 my training would’ve lasted 42 weeks.”

Two weeks after his final training parade, Stewart, part of the then Kings Own Royal Border Regiment, was sent to Cyprus where he spent the next five months guarding the RAF camp and other sites around the island.

After his five months posting, Stewart returned to the UK and was posted at North Luffenham in Leicestershire as a junior non-commissioned officer.

“From North Luffenham I was sent to so many different places, from training in Northern Ireland to Mexico and even jungle exercise in Belize.

“Seeing all these different places, particularly the more exotic ones, makes me realise I wouldn’t have had the chance to see them if I hadn’t joined the Army.

“Even a six-month tour of Iraq was an opportunity for me to develop the skills and abilities I’d been trained to use.”

Stewart, who is now returned to Germany where he has been based for the last two years, will soon go on to spend two months in Sweden.

After his short tour of Sweden he will move back to Germany and prepare to move camp back to Catterick where he will then be based.

Stewart said: “I’m looking to spending some time at home now.

“I’ve travelled all over the world and it’s been fantastic but being based closer to home will be a nice change.

“Now I’m a little older, I’ve felt like I have wanted to be closer to my family and friends so I will be able to travel home from Catterick at weekends.”

For Stewart, the Army has been a lifelong ambition; a passion which he describes as being ‘in his blood’.

And he maintains it can offer so much for so many with endless career opportunities available to anyone who has the drive and ambition to achieve it.

“I love everything about the Army; you can be anything you want to be,” Stewart explained.

“There are so many options and avenues open to you such as further education with the chance to gain NVQs, GCSEs and A-levels. And there is now the Army Foundation College in Harrogate where you can go to train and gain qualifications.

“You will be supported all the way and for some training courses and qualifications, the Army supports you financially.

“But apart from all the academic opportunities there’s the opportunity to become a highly-skilled professional as part of one of the world’s most renowned fighting forces.

“You develop and mature as an individual and get to see some of the world’s most amazing places.

“You meet people who will remain friends for life. But to be a part of it you must be ready to work hard with a get-up-and-go attitude.

“Being physically and mentally robust is a vital quality to have in the Army, along with common sense and a willingness and ability to be a team player.”

One of the most important things – Stewart recommends – for all those interested in joining the Army, is a visit to your local army careers office where an open-door approach leads to friendly faces ready to offer an informal chat and advice on your best options and opportunities available to you in the army.

For more information about army careers or the Army Foundation College, call Workington’s Army Careers Information Office on 01900 606621 or visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk