Soldiers who gave up desk jobs to join the Army have found the challenge and active lifestyle they were looking for in life.
Lance Corporal Sean O’Reilly from 14 Signal Regiment, during Exercise Vigilant Isles in Japan.
Sapper Ollie Job from the 23 Parachute Engineers attached to B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, during Exercise Vigilant Isles in Japan.
Soldier from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery launched the uncrewed aircraft systems called the Puma into the air to take off to identify named areas of interest whilst on their final tactical exercise.
Paratroopers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, disembarked a Japanese CH47 as it landed on on landing zone to begin their final tactical exercise.
Lance Corporal Sean O’Reilly moved from working at a law firm to serving as an Electronic Warfare and Signals Intelligence Operator, while Sapper Ollie Job swapped computer engineering for combat engineering.
Both soldiers found themselves in Japan on Exercise Vigilant Isles, which saw soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team– the British Army’s global response force - training with the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF).
After graduating I worked as a paralegal at a law firm in Swansea, but working nine-to-five in an office just didn’t suit me. I needed to do something different and more active.
Sean, from Llaneli, studied law at Liverpool University.
“Growing up, I was set on being a solicitor,” the 27-year-old said. “After graduating I worked as a paralegal at a law firm in Swansea, but working nine-to-five in an office just didn’t suit me. I needed to do something different and more active.
“My dad was in the Army and I’d heard all his stories, and I just thought I’d have a go. I’ve enjoyed it ever since and I am a lot happier for making the change.”
Sean has served for five years and is in 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare), based at Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire.
“Our role is to find out about the enemy by monitoring what they’re doing on the electromagnetic spectrum,” he said. “We use our equipment to detect communication signals and work out what equipment is being used and where it is on the battlefield. Other sensors are looking for other information, and it all comes together to build up a picture of the enemy and shape the plan to defeat them.
“Japan has been a fascinating experience, and everyone’s been so friendly. We’ve looked at each other’s kit and demonstrated tactics, which makes you think about how you do your own job.”
Ollie has been in the Army for four years and serves with 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, based at Woodbridge in Suffolk.
“After school I worked as an IT engineer, but I like being active and I soon realised that I wanted a job that wasn’t sitting at a desk,” the 24-year-old said. “I decided to try the Army - I didn’t know what to expect but thought just go for it!
“When I told people at work that I was joining up, some of them doubted me and said I wouldn’t see it through, but I used that as motivation.”
After school I worked as an IT engineer, but I like being active and I soon realised that I wanted a job that wasn’t sitting at a desk, I decided to try the Army - I didn’t know what to expect but thought just go for it!
Ollie, from Hayle in Cornwall, joined the Royal Engineers because it offered a career with “a good mix”.
“You train as a soldier and a combat engineer and get a trade too – which for me is plumbing,” he said. “I’ve also done P Coy and earned my parachute wings.”
In Japan, Ollie worked with B Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, providing engineering support to help the troops fight, move and live.
“I’ve had a real good work out of my field skills and how we work with the infantry as engineers,” he said. “We’ve come here to build our relationship with the Japanese, who have been both very professional soldiers and welcoming, and we have learnt a lot about each other.”
Ollie concluded: “I didn’t know what I wanted from life, but I’ve found it in the Army.”
Exercise Vigilant Isles – which took place for the third time in January – is part of the deepening military relationship between the UK and Japan, built around a shared commitment to Indo-Pacific security. The UK is the only European country able to conduct bilateral military training in Japan.
