L/Bdr Yamikani Guba

"I am originally from Blantyre in Malawi, I grew up there and then came to the UK in 2004 to study marketing in Manchester. In 2007, once I had completed my studies I joined the Army, and did my basic training at the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright. I continued my training at Larkhill in Wiltshire at the Royal School of Artillery where I learned how to operate the AS90, an enormous Gun which is used by the Army's armoured artillery Regiments.

 

Once I had finished training I joined C Battery, 3 lRHA in Hohne Germany and immediately started training to go on operations in Afghanistan. This involved learning how to fire the Light Gun which is used out in theatre. As part of this training I was taken to Kenya to practice my skills in a realistic environment. My job involved aiming, loading and firing the Light Gun in support of other troops. It was hard work but I had a great time and I even got the chance to have some time off to go on safari, which was amazing!

 

I deployed to Afghanistan and was based with the rest of my battery in a forward operating base from where we would fire our guns on a daily basis. It was a busy time but I had a great experience and I am looking forward to going back out to Afghanistan in the next few months.

I am currently training for my next deployment and have had a very busy time. I have had medical and communications training and have also learned how to drive the massive Mastiff vehicles which we use out in theatre.

I have also got my HGV licence in this time and done weapons training too.

 

One of the proudest moments in my career so far was being promoted to L/Bdr which made me, my wife and my parents very happy.

 

I am a keen sportsman and I have had many opportunities to do some great activities. My main hobbies are Tae Kwon Do and Kendo. I am a 4^th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and 1^st Dan Black belt in Kendo and I represent the Army and all the Armed Forces in both sports. Last year I got the opportunity to travel to South Korea to compete internationally against the South Korean Military which was an amazing new experience, and I even won the Gold medal! I have also taken the opportunity to travel to France to do some hiking and mountain biking.

I enjoy being based in Germany and have a great family life out here. I enjoy travelling around Europe with my wife and children and we have been to France, Spain, Italy, Holland and Belgium so far. I work with a great bunch of people and am looking forward to having more adventures in the Army".