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At school I was constantly told that I wouldn’t amount to anything and wouldn’t do anything with my life. I was bullied at school and didn’t enjoy going. My family were very supportive of me wanting to join the Army from the age of 9 and wanted to find somewhere that would help and support me to get into the Army. After leaving school I joined the Military Preparation College in the July.

The College supported me physically and mentally prior to going on selection. Without their help and support I wouldn’t have received a high B grade at selection. They also supported me to find out more about the local infantry regiment and supported me through the application process. I also gained qualifications in Public Services whilst at the College.

The College helped me achieve my aims of joining the PWRR by preparing me both physically and mentally. I am currently posted as part of the regiments RST and come back to Eastbourne Military Preparation College to offer support to students on their Military Training Days on a weekly basis as an Ambassador for the College.

I was waiting on my entry date to join the army and was advised by the Cardiff Armed Forces Careers Office to join the MPC while I was waiting. I attended an open day and immediately decided that it was the place for me to spend my next 6 months prior to joining. Even though I left school with a full complement of GCSE’s, the chance to gain further qualifications through active classroom activities and intense physical training appealed to me, as did the opportunity to learn new specific military skills that would aid me with my military training.

My time at the MPC gave me invaluable skills and knowledge that specifically helped me gain a successful career in the Royal Engineers. However, the skills and qualities that I learnt whilst at the Military Preparation College have continued with me throughout my life no matter what my vocation. These transferable skills such as communication, discipline and organisational skills have enabled me to go on to complete 2 higher education courses and gain full time employment in the sector of my choice.

Immediately upon leaving the MPC, I joined the Royal Engineers at the age of 17. I spent 5 years serving as part of 21 Engineer Regiment gaining promotion to Lance Corporal at the age of 20. Since leaving the Army I have gained a First Class Honours Degree in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Glamorgan and a Postgraduate Diploma in Strength and Conditioning from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

I would recommend the MPC to both young people who are interested in joining the Public Services and those who are interested in other careers. For those joining the public services the opportunity to gain expert training from professional instructors who have all completed a career in the public services is not to be missed. The training can be specifically tailored to the needs of each student depending on their public service of choice allowing the them to be fully prepared for their initial training and their future job role.

For those who do not go on to join the public services, on offer at the MPC is the opportunity to gain an extensive range of life skills and qualities that are invaluable to success in all careers. Without which I have no doubt that I would have not had the same success in military and civilian life.