D
Deleted member 46687
Internet Warrior
I joined up as a 'Junior Leader' straight after leaving school at 16 and joined the 17th/21st Lancers just before they amalgamated with the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers to form the Queen's Royal Lancers in 1993. I only served one full tour with them in 2003. - Al Basrah in Iraq. I spent most of my time on base.
I joined up as there wasn't many opportunities for young lads back in the very early 90s and didn't fancy staying on at school for the 6th form, or going to College. As I saw it, if I joined up as a Junior Leader I would gain better qualifications, learn new skills and get paid. As it turned out, after serving 25 years, I retired at the age of 42 with my house fully paid off and a decent wedge of money in the bank. Some of my school friends are still renting!
My Grandfather was in the Royal Navy during WW2 escorting Merchant Navy ships from America to Liverpool (where he eventually met, and then married, my Grandmother). My father was a butcher and had no inclination of joining the armed forces.
That's awesome fella. A lot of my civi friends are like that also, I was hopeless with money until I met my wife, then I really screwed the nut, and now I'm in a position like you.

