Trainee Gunner Experiences - AC Dickinson

Growing up

I was born on the 25 Jun 87 in York. I attended Millthorpe school and although I wasn’t too clever at school I enjoyed it. From there I went onto college were I obtained a National Diploma In Sport. I was always a keen footballer as a kid and never turned down a chance to play, night or day. I grew up on a council estate with my mum dad, sister and younger brother and I was always very family orientated.

Why the RAF Regiment?

To be honest I always knew I was destined for a life in the military, even when I had a long-term girlfriend and couldn’t think of leaving her behind. However, the RAF Regiment had everything I wanted, I always wanted to be a parachutist, and the thought of doing it in combat gives me a chill down my spine, it is good pay and a very steady career with huge chances of career progression, which is everything I wanted and when looking at the Regiment it is everything I could want from a career.

Getting in, PGAC and TG course

Getting in was the easy part it was a quick and smooth process. But I had to impress to be given a chance. I was successful in my interviews and was sent on a Potential Gunners Acquaintance Course, it is a gruelling 3 days were you are watched 24/7, you have to pass a series of fitness tests and impress with your attitude. It was the hardest 3 days of my life. It was gruelling, tiring and the most nerve-racking time I have experienced, as it was an interview for 3 days. I was successful and although I found it hard I didn’t let it put me off joining; I knew what to expect and rolled my sleeves up and just got on with it. From this I was given a starting date within the next ten days, I was ready and jumped at the start date on the 25 Nov 06. I arrived on the day and everyone looked a little nervous, I was, I was sweating buckets. I started on Trainee Gunner course 5-06 but I never finished on this course, I was re-coursed for more training. When I first arrived I found it hard to adapt and found really late-night ironing and early starts somewhat of a reality check. By all means I was far from being the best. When I was re-coursed to 6-06 I knew I had to keep on going with the same

attitude of being up-beat and positive.

I started the new course with my head held high and had to go through late nights and early starts again. But looking back at training, the late stages are the best stages by far: being out in the field and turning live rounds into empty cases is the biggest buzz you can imagine. Assaulting houses and ambushing the enemy are some of my highlights. I’ve made some great mates here and I have no regrets for joining up as my last 7 months have been the best time of my life. I know with the Regiment, the rest of my career is only going to get better and better.

I was awarded Top Student on my course and this for me was because I showed a good positive attitude and never let my head drop, as it is very easy to do; but you also have to do well at the job in hand.

My best memory from training is going up in a fast jet, a hawk.  This was my reward for getting best student and everyone who comes through the course can win this.

You don’t have to be superman because I’m certainly not. But I have a good attitude and with determination, the rest will follow.

What next?

After a further bit of training, I am hoping to join II Sqn and obtain my para wings and in the future hopefully progress up the rank ladder.