In At The Deep End
It is vital that soldiers learn how to react under pressure and work as part of a team. That's why the Army often makes adventurous training activities like scuba diving available.
Soldiers can dive off the rugged coastline of Britain or explore wrecks near the island of Cyprus.
Wherever they dive, they enjoy themselves. But there's also a practical element, as Lance Corporal Lee Gardner, who has just returned from a diving expedition in Cyprus, explains.
Can soldiers learn to dive from scratch?
Yes, they get taught everything from the very basics onwards and the training is fantastic. They learn theory and how to put the equipment together safely and then it’s into the pool to learn to dive.
Were you nervous the first time?
Breathing underwater is a very unnatural feeling, so I had to get comfortable with that first, but by the end of the week I had completed six dives.
What was your most exciting dive?
I explored the wreck of a massive ferry on a trip to Cyprus. It was amazing, there was so much to see, it was a real buzz. The Army helped to pay for it too, which was great.
What skills can you learn from diving?
Confidence. It takes you out of your comfort zone, and that’s good for a soldier. Teamwork is also crucial in diving. Once you’ve dived together, you know you can work together.
What’s your Army job?
I’m a diver. I do construction, demolition, search and recovery work. We train alongside the Royal Navy’s divers and can work at depths down to 50m.