Sergeant Lauren Porter is living proof you can pursue your passion in the Army and balance it with being a single parent.
Sergeant Lauren Porter preforming at an event in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Sergeant Lauren Porter at Downing Street with The Band of the Welsh Guards.
Sergeant Lauren Porter photographed on the Yorkshire three peaks.
Sergeant Lauren Porter in The Band of the Welsh Guards.
A musician in the Lancashire Artillery Band, 103 Royal Artillery Regiment, commonly known as the Lancashire Artillery Volunteers, she enlisted in the The Royal Corps of Army Music and joined The Band of the Dragoon Guards in Swanton Morley, Norfolk aged 18 after graduating from sixth form, studying music, French and English.
Twelve years later, Lauren switched to the Army Reserve in order to better balance her home life and single parent duties to her nine-year-old daughter.
I joined the Army because I love playing music and when I was 15, the Band of the Army Air Corps came and invited our school musicians to an open day near our school.
Lauren was inspired to take her love for music to the Army when her school, Deepings School, in Deeping St James, was invited to a Band of the Army Air Corps open day.
She said: “I joined the Army because I love playing music and when I was 15, the Band of the Army Air Corps came and invited our school musicians to an open day near our school.
“After the day of music making, I knew this was what I wanted to do when I left school.”
Having experienced Army life as both a Regular and Reservist, Lauren has had numerous opportunities to travel, gain new skills, play music at prestigious events, and make friends for life.
She said: “I was lucky enough to partake in two musical tours of Cyprus, participating in various events for Remembrance Day & entertaining troops and officers at dinner nights and concerts.”
One of my proudest moments whilst serving was performing at Trooping of the Colour, where I played in the massed bands for the late Queen.
“I also went to Canada with the Band of the Welsh Guards to support the Spruce Meadows Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and events for soldiers stationed at BATUS.”
“One of my proudest moments whilst serving was performing at Trooping of the Colour, where I played in the massed bands for the late Queen.
“The atmosphere was electric and it remains one of my most cherished memories.”
Sport and fitness are also incredibly important to Lauren and the Army has given her plenty of opportunities to pursue these interests. She said: “I enjoy skiing and walking, and I have been able to become a ski leader through the Army.
The biggest challenge in my Army career One of my proudest moments whilst serving was performing at Trooping of the Colour, where I played in the massed bands for the late Queen.
“I also completed my Summer Mountain Leader Training so I can take people hill walking as part of a group.”
Based near Preston, Lauren added: “I work in the Regimental Recruitment Mentoring Team, I am the social media lead for the band, and as a personnel, operations, intelligence, and logistics assistant part-time.
“The biggest challenge in my Army career is balancing being a single parent and working in the Reserve.
“I feel that I manage my career and family life well and being in the Reserve has given me opportunities that I may not have had in the Regulars.
“Dedicated to being a full time Mum, raising my family but with the Army Reserve an extremely close second, I am able to balance my priorities to continue to have a rewarding career whilst seeing my daughter grow into adulthood.”
I feel that I manage my career and family life well and being in the Reserve has given me opportunities that I may not have had in the Regulars.
Lauren also helps young students decide if a career in the Army is for them.
She said: “I help with the Engagement Team at Headquarters North because I find connecting with the students and sharing my journey as a Reservist and musician very fulfilling.
“I enjoy being able to talk to people about being in the Army, both Regular and Reserve, and it gives me great pride to be able to talk about what you can achieve in the Army.”
“The opportunities are there if you wish to take them.”
I would like to become a Warrant Officer and be either the Band Sergeant Major or the Permanent Staff Instructor of the Lancashire Artillery Band, in the future,” she added.
Lauren, aged 40, wants to achieve even more going forward, looking to promote within the Lancashire Artillery Band.
“I would like to become a Warrant Officer and be either the Band Sergeant Major or the Permanent Staff Instructor of the Lancashire Artillery Band, in the future,” she added.
Sergeant Lauren Porter couldn’t be happier. Balancing being a single parent; being there for her daughter Charlotte at every critical juncture, she has been able to pursue her passions in the Army and achieve lifetime ambitions in music, fitness and adventurous sport.
