What shall I be? I like these crisps though. Somewhere between 2 and 3, 1950s Scotland.
After a broken formal education to high school level, it was run away from home time at 14. A dysfunctional life in a dysfunctional home in Scotland no more. After a failed football career in the West of England I joined 2 Squadron RAF Regiment at 17, jumping out of serviceable aircraft was nuts, but I got paid for it, and played football at the weekend.
I even went to war in the Gulf at 17 (photo of a mate, not me), where I would see the SAS from afar fighting up in the mountains at night. Green tracer rounds coming into their location, followed by red tracer going out, explosions and flares floating down from the night sky…that’s for me.
But first I have to learn to be a basic soldier of some experience…and dressing and standing like this is part of it. Gibraltar border, bursting for a pee.
By the mid 70s and rapidly approaching 20, my NCOs and Officers kindly allowed me to put in for SAS selection. This is me after a run, having passed and joined B Sqn 22 SAS, stood outside our wooden “basha” in Bradbury Lines, Hereford.
Jungle training and operations would be a large part of my SF career.
All forms of amphibious troop work from small boats to O2 diving would keep us busy too.
CQB and anti terrorist training and operations were all included in my adventure package from the mid 70s to the mid 90s.
And a cold dip into the South Atlantic in 1982 to do our wee part in winning back the Falkland Islands.
Time for some more desert operations, the Gulf War…can’t fight before a brew!
Two great years with the two most important individuals at the jungle warfare school…yes the Ibans.
Seventeen years post military working in conflict areas around the world as a civilian security advisor, here in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.
Taking a wee break to visit those who are still about, and those who didn’t see life past their prime…RIP.
Today, now 70 years young, doing what I can to ensure that it’s not quite yet the “complete” lifecycle.
Bob Shepherd 