A young soldier from Perth is swapping scissors for oars as she prepares to take on one of the toughest challenges in the world.
Gunner Emma 'Mack' McKenzie
Gunner Katie Devine
The team of four will be the first Army team consisting entirely of junior-rank soldiers, to compete in the race.
Gunner Emma ‘Mack’ Mackenzie, aged 22, left her hairdressing apprenticeship in Edinburgh behind in 2021 to join the Army, and she hasn’t looked back since.
She said: “Before I joined the Army, I had just finished my hairdressing apprenticeship, but I knew I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to live a more thrilling lifestyle.”
"I’ve learnt so much already and done some really interesting courses. I can’t wait to keep learning more about rowing, myself, and my teammates."
Now, Mack is gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime. She’s part of a four-person team, from 12th Regiment Royal Artillery, preparing to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in the World’s Toughest Row.
The team will be the first Army team consisting entirely of junior-rank soldiers to compete in the race, and they’ve been training hard for months. Setting off on 12 December and aiming to finish in mid-January.
Mack’s journey to the team wasn’t straightforward. She started as a reserve but was called up at the last minute to replace an injured teammate.
Despite the sudden change, she’s ready to take on the challenge. She said: “I’m so excited about this opportunity,”
“I’m really glad I stayed with the team during their training. It’s given me the best chance now that I’ve stepped up.
“The support from everyone has been incredible, and we’re all ready to take on this adventure together.”
Training has been tough, but Mack is thriving. “It’s going so well,” she said.
“I’ve learnt so much already and done some really interesting courses. I can’t wait to keep learning more about rowing, myself, and my teammates.
“I think we’ve got a good level of physical and mental resilience, which will help us a lot during this challenge.”
Mack is proud to represent the Army’s junior ranks and hopes to finish the race in a strong position. As she prepares to set off, she’s proving that with determination and teamwork, anything is possible, even rowing across an ocean.
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