I'm 2Lt Adam Birtwistle, 22, and studying Economics at Swansea University. While at Uni I have been a member of the hockey club, playing in the 1st team for a number of years and also discovered the joys of rock climbing on the Gower.

I joined WUOTC hoping to get an insight into the military, with a view to going regular after Uni, and also to earn some much needed cash. Both have been duly provided, but I have gained so much more.

I have taken full advantage of everything the OTC has to offer, having recently gone to Sandhurst to get my TA commission. I have been on attachments with 29 Commando, enjoying numerous visit days and competition weekends with a wide range of different regiments and arms of the army. I have also been a member of the Cambrian Patrol team 3 times, gaining 3 bronze medals in the process. All this is on top of the regular training weekends with the OTC and is fantastic both in terms of military training and also the vast improvement in leadership and character building skills.

On top of the military aspect I have been skiing twice, many walking expeditions, and a whole host of adventurous activities have been pursued including rock climbing, klettersteiging, kayaking and whitewater rafting. Through the OTC I have gained qualifications in mountain walking, rock climbing, kayaking, and skiing all of which are relevant outside the military, enabling me to instruct in areas which I enjoy.

I have had the pleasure of going to a number of mess dinners and formal functions which are a fantastic experience and I have made a huge number of friends for life from the OTC.

This coming year I am the Senior Subaltern for WUOTC. This is a massive and exciting challenge to have. I am also looking to continue to get the most out of life, with the OTC continuing to give me the opportunity to do so. After Uni I am looking at continuing on to Sandhurst and joining the regular army.

In short the OTC pays you to have fun, make friends, and enrich yourself with massive amounts of experience and qualifications on offer. I would recommend anyone joining in order to make the most of their Uni experience, even if they are not remotely interested in the military.