Manchester soldier promoted to Captain after rising through the ranks from Royal Signals recruit to Army officer.
Captain Declan Gaffney recovered from three fractures to his back and being uncertain about his future.
Now develops future leaders with the University Officer Training Corps while studying for a degree in Cyber Security.
A soldier from Manchester has overcome a broken back to be promoted to Captain.
Captain Declan Gaffney, 31, joined the Army in 2015 and progressed through the ranks in The Royal Corps of Signals before commissioning as an officer.
A life-changing accident
While serving as a Troop Commander with 2 Signal Regiment in York, Declan suffered a severe injury.
"I fell off my bicycle and broke my back in three places. I genuinely thought my life had changed forever at that point.
"One moment that has always stayed with me was when I was promoted from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant. I was still bedridden in a back brace, and my Commanding Officer came to my house to present me with my rank slides and congratulate me. He didn't have to do that, but he did. It meant a lot.
"Before the accident, I was questioning whether I wanted to stay in the Army. That experience completely changed my perspective. The way people rallied around me and supported me through my recovery made me fall back in love with the Army.”
From soldier to officer
Although he originally joined to learn a trade rather than become an officer, Declan's ambitions changed.
"Never in a million years did I think I would become an officer. But as I gained experience and confidence, I started to think differently about what I could achieve."
Following a successful selection process, Declan attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and commissioned as an officer.
Developing the next generation
He now serves with the University Officer Training Corps, where he helps develop future Army leaders while studying for a degree in Cyber Security.
"One of the best parts of the role is working with the officer cadets. They are a breath of fresh air because everyone is there because they want to be there.
"I take great pride in helping develop them. Whether they join the Army or not, they'll leave as better leaders and more well-rounded individuals."
Looking to the future
Declan said: "I'd absolutely recommend the Army to someone who's not sure what direction they want to go in. You're not locked into one path, and there are opportunities to develop, learn new skills and try different things throughout your career.
"For me, joining the Army opened doors I never would have imagined."
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 are aged 16 to 50 and if you want to find out more about a career in the Army, visit the Army Jobs website.
