From being on parade for Royal ceremonies to repairing rifles, a soldier from Ghana has ‘had three careers’ in the Army.
Corporal Kofi Attakorah joined up “for the challenge” of military life. He started in 2009 as a trooper in The Household Cavalry, serving in both operational and ceremonial roles, and retrained as an armourer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 2016.
“I’ve had three careers in the Army and learnt a lot along the way, and I’m currently studying for an engineering degree,” the 34-year-old said.
“When I started my career, I learnt to ride a horse for ceremonial duties in London. I did Trooping the Colour, the State Opening of Parliament and the Diamond Jubilee parade. I absolutely loved it, being out on show and taking part in events that had crowds of thousands watching and millions on TV.
"I absolutely loved it, being out on show and taking part in events that had crowds of thousands watching and millions on TV." Corporal Kofi Attakorah
7 Avn Sp Bn REME
“The operational role of The Household Cavalry is as reconnaissance soldiers, and I was the gunner in a Scimitar armoured vehicle. I became really interested in the technical side of the gun, how it worked and how to maintain it. That opened my eyes to a career change, and I retrained as an armourer.”
As an armourer Kofi is responsible for maintaining weapons from pistols to the powerful 30mm cannon mounted on the Apache attack helicopter.
Kofi serves with 7th Aviation Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (7 Avn SP Bn REME) at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk.
He is currently out in the field on Exercise Iron Titan, a six-week long test of the ability of enablers and sustainment units - such as engineers, signallers and logistics - to deliver combat units to the right place at the right time in the right condition to win the battle.
The father-of-two said: “It might not be the most glamorous role but my work is vital – the Apache pilot firing on targets is reliant on me maintaining the gun, and all the other technicians keeping the engine and electronics working.”
Kofi, a keen cyclist, has deployed on exercises in Canada, Kenya and Italy across his Army career, working alongside soldiers from other NATO armies.
"...the Apache pilot firing on targets is reliant on me maintaining the gun, and all the other technicians keeping the engine and electronics working.” Corporal Kofi Attakorah
7 Avn Sp Bn REME
He said: “The Army has given me so many practical skills and varied experiences, as well as confidence and an ability to adapt to whatever the situation is in front of me.”
The British Army is recruiting right now to fill 10,000 jobs across the UK with more than 200 roles to choose from, covering everything from frontline combat and cyber security to helicopter pilots, chefs and support roles. If you’re aged 16 to 50 and if you want to find out more about a career in the Army, click here.