Trooper Jack Paul Orchard, known to his friends as "Matt Damon," was proud to represent his hometown of Horton, Bristol as he took to the world-famous Edinburgh Castle Esplanade with the iconic massed pipes and drums at this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Jack, 23, from The Royal Dragoon Guards, joined pipers and drummers from across the British Army performing alongside international acts including the German Army Band Koblenz, New Zealand Army Band and United States Army Field Band.
Trooper Jack Paul Orchard
Joining the Army was always something Jack wanted to do. He wanted to travel, step out of his comfort zone, and gain skills he would not have had the chance to in a civilian job.
“I joined the Army at 19 and still lived at home, so having to make big decisions on my own was a shock. But after training you really feel like an adult, and that your decisions are more calculated.”
He said: "My grandfather, Ronald Marx, served as a sergeant in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the Second World War. Knowing he served during that difficult period gave me the confidence to serve myself.
“My school friend Joseph joined the Royal Engineers straight after college, and knowing somebody I know was serving convinced me it was worth signing up and proving I have what it takes to be a soldier."
His day-to-day role consists of vehicle maintenance and driving, giving him the skill and confidence to drive and maintain the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle on operations and exercise. Alongside this, he spends time with the band developing his skills as a bagpiper.
The Massed Pipes and Drums of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
When asked what skills the Army has given him, he said: "Bagpipes, Warrior maintenance and driving, and an introduction to the Estonian language. But I think one of the biggest and most important is how to operate as an adult. I joined the Army at 19 and still lived at home, so having to make big decisions on my own was a shock. But after training you really feel like an adult, and that your decisions are more calculated."
"No one in my family is from Scotland or can play that instrument, so when I got the offer to learn, there was doubt I would be up to the challenge."
He said the biggest challenge of his career was probably learning the bagpipes. "No one in my family is from Scotland or can play that instrument, so when I got the offer to learn, there was doubt I would be up to the challenge."
Jack has deployed to Estonia, an experience he describes as amazing despite the cold, working alongside other armies and testing his skills as a soldier. During this period, he also travelled to Finland to pipe in the British Embassy.
He has taken part in major ceremonial events too, including the Regimental Standard Parade, where he played the pipes in front of royalty, and a parade in York in front of members of the public. "For both events there is a massive sense of pride," he said.
What has surprised him most about Army life is how many different paths an individual can go down. Although one might think the Army is just being out in the field with a weapon, there are opportunities to play musical instruments, take part in sports such as boxing, learn different languages and more.
Jack still finds time for hockey when he can get to the astro pitch, and within the next year he hopes to promote to Lance Corporal.
For more information about working for the Army, visit the Army Jobs website.
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