Revisiting the past and the affirmation of your choices

We make potentially life changing decisions on a regular basis, we react to our surroundings our experiences and try to make the best choices we can.

When I joined the British Army all that time ago, I joined as the Royal Military Police (there goes half my readers), I had an amazing introduction to Army life and the life has changed me so much in a positive way I no longer remember the shy timid person I was.  Anyone still with me?

I am now a photographer with the Royal Logistic Corps (there goes the other half), and the job I do has an essential need for this confidence.  I don’t think I am an overbearing person, well not until a couple too many sociables… er hello?

I look back on my RMP days with pride, I still have many friends in their ranks, although ever being replaced with young people who are obviously too young to even be in the Army.  I have nothing but great memories even patrolling in the Arctic circle in -40.  It is fair to say I even miss it from time to time.  It’s all gone very quiet in here.

Do I have any regrets?  Well the really honest answer is no, why would I.  I can put my hand on my heart now and tell you I quite possibly have the best job in the Army, in fact if Heineken……..

As you can see from these images I covered a recent parade in Germany as part of the withdrawal from Germany.  A sad day because after such a long time, ties with the local community are inevitable and once we depart they will need to much more work to try and keep them alive.

Now I do try to keep in contact with quite a few of my old mates, so this does mean I have on occasion socialised with RMP, although I am now talking to myself now.  I accept I miss being with a bunch of guys that do a great job and yet receive little recognition (nor do they crave it).  That said, I now have new skills that enable me to show them off a little now, although not often.  I enjoy working with them and I hope I do them justice.

I guess all I am trying to say is this.  Life is too short to have regrets, look back and smile, look forward and focus on whatever you see ahead.  Oh and don’t live in fear of the unknown.