morganacademyfp

Indeed there are Ronald!

I always, though, feel a tad self-conscious talking about myself - even in the anonymous world if the intertube. Anyway, as I know I am among friends, I'll expand a bit.

Life as a soldier pretty much defined me for a longtime. Hugely formative, growing from a 17yearold laddie, private soldier, and exiting as a 42yearold 'grownup'. The years flew by. I served and worked my way through the ranks and 'retired' as a Major, with a nice wee pension and still able to carve a new career in the real world.

Many adventures, which included several war-like appearances in sandy locations, accumulated 8 years of my lot in Northern Ireland- which was hugely exciting for a while. It wasn't all fun though. I did some seriously hard graft in places like Cyprus, Belize, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands etc etc.....all with some wonderful people.

I now find myself thoroughly enjoying myself in Australia, working in the fascinating world of eHealth with my 2nd wife and my youngest son, who is finishing his schooling here in Sydney.

Life takes many turns, recognising the good ones is more than half the battle!

S

This sounds like a good way to grow up, SC Johnston! Demanding challenges and responsibility with consequences! Congratulations on your rank, Major! You must have been highly valued – and no doubt still are! I find it interesting that you make a distinction between the military and the 'real' world. I wonder how much that distinction is the unfortunate consequence of the civilian population in the UK (and probably in many countries) being highly uninformed about its armed forces – indeed, almost taking a pride in being uninformed about their nature, purposes and operations.
I believe it would make for a healthier country if civilians informed themselves so they might understand and appreciate more the role of the armed services in how our national and international policies are formulated and pursued.
You certainly enjoyed great places to adventure. You included Belize. I found myself in the HQ of the Belize defence forces one day in Belmopan. I commented on the Gordon's crest on my contact's wall (and those of other British regiments) and mentioned my two years in the Gordon Highlander’s 3rd battalion (OTC/TA). That began an interesting conversation extended over dinner in the Bullfrog Inn and an invitation to helicopter to the border with Guatemala to observe a group of illegal colonisers being peacefully repatriated. Unfortunately my schedule could not accommodate!
Australia is definitely one of the best places you could have chosen to start in civilian life. You are absolutely right -- spotting the good opportunities is what life is all about! Can you tell us more, SC?

Hi Ronald. The memories of places like the Bullfrog and less salubrious establishments are still fresh in my mind. Impressionable young man as I was in my jaunts to that region .

My life and experiences in the Army, were hugely formative. And while it picks it's raw material from all aspects of British society, it has managed to evolve and still set itself apart with an ethos that is both familiar to any one who would observe from the outside and alien in the way it instills values and behaviors long lost in our business and social life. Whether as a young 17 yearold recruit to my years through the ranks till my retirement I always felt well looked after and my development as a man or professional was at the heart of my superiors at all levels. This culture is quite deliberate. As the armed forces have to 'grow their own wood'. If someone leaves after 10 or 15 years they can't go to the job market to replace, replacement has to be home grown. Hence the caring and developmental culture.

Good to hear from you.

Stephen

Anyway, I'm now a faded 'old soldier' enjoying a second career in the land if opportunity. Blessed with good health and a background I am grateful for. Everything I have learned, good and bad, has helped me in this new

Note to self. iPhone isn't the best device for replying to Forums!

Ha! You speak for yourself, Dave! I`m up for anything and everything! Incedently, where`s Anne`s post?

Last week I was appointed as a Judge at the Niagara science and engineering fair held at Brock Universty in Saint Catharines Ontario. It was an interesting experience.
Hamish