Airtrooper Gilligan AAC

I have been serving in the British Army for over three years now, and I am currently with 1 Regiment AAC, based in Germany. I had been at the Regiment roughly two weeks when I heard about Public Duties. At first I was reluctant to volunteer as I had only just arrived and wanted to settle in, but after speaking to a few of the lads who had done it before I soon realised it was a challenge not to be missed! I arrived at Middle Wallop ready to start, unaware of what to expect but I soon met up with some old friends and started to feel at home.

The first day was an easy day with lots of briefs,being issued with equipment and getting to know my flight. The next couple of days we were taken right back to basic training and did foot drill and we were split into A, B, C and D Flights. I was put in B Flight under Captain Wilson, Sergeant Joshua and Corporal Jones. On Friday we were introduced to our rifles and, forgetting about the dreaded striking, we commenced with a full day of basic rifle drills. After not having participated in drill for so long the end of the week left me with blisters, aches and pains all over my body, but I was still looking forward to the following week.

Week Two started off with more foot and rifle drill and more striking, much to my hands dismay! After a week of drill most of what we had forgotten over the years came back to us and the Irish Guards, who were arriving soon, were sure to hammer it into us even more. As the week went on we started to learn more complicated drill movements which were quite confusing at first, but after practising the movements over and over again we started to come together and looked more like a professional flight. I was really starting to feel proud and confident in what I was doing. Towards the end of the week our Flight decided we had achieved enough to warrant a night out so we went to a Chinese, followed by a few well deserved pints in the pub. Happy Days!

I am really looking forward to Public Duties as it will be an experience of a lifetime and something that will stay in my memory forever!

---

Corporal Makinde AAC

My name is Corporal Makinde and I have been in the Army for six years now. When the chance came for me to represent the Army Air Corps for Public Duties I was one of the first to get my name on the nominal roll. Drill is a form of art and my personal drill is no Mona Lisa.I volunteered for Public Duties so that I could improve my drill and guard Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. We have been taking part in drill practice for three weeks now. During the hot days training was physically demanding but I was motivated in my quest to make it onto Buckingham Palace forecourt and make my family proud. Being part of the best Flight (A Flight) means we had to perform to the highest standard and I had to lead from the front, not forgetting the other Flights as all of us are striving to achieve the same goal. With D Day getting closer, I hope we reach the required standard and impress all the visiting tourists who will come to see us taking part in the Mount and Dismount of the Queen's Guard.