Page 27 - 103RA 2018-20

Regimental Journal 2018-20
Life in 216 Bty
– Direct Entry
- Officer
By Lt Will Walker RA
After graduating from University in Ambleside, my sights were set on joining the Regular Army. I visited a friend of mine who had just commissioned from Sandhurst and had a place on the Young Officers’ Course at Larkhill. After a few beers, he persuaded me that the RA was the only branch to join and the next day I drove straight to the Armed Forces Careers Office in Preston
to join up.
The initial process took a
long time. After a medical assessment at Lichfield, I attended the two-day Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) Briefing at Westbury. I passed the briefing without issue and felt well prepared for the 3.5-day Main Selection Board which I was devas- tated to fail.
I requested a debrief on my report and found that I had fallen short in the planning exercise and abstract reasoning tests - I now know that these are common pitfalls. I printed off every mock test that I could find on the internet and meticulously worked through them over the next few months. By the time I was able to re-at- tempt the selection board, my civilian job
in the Oil and Gas industry was going from strength to strength.
Days before attending Main Board for the second time, I realised that a lot had changed in the past
year and if I joined the Regular Army, I would be forced to give up my now lucrative job, leave my home in the Lake District and take a risk on my blossoming relationship with a local girl. With the odds stacked against me, I decided to switch fire and join the Army Reserve.
Thankfully I passed and even enjoyed my second Main Board attempt and
was attested by Liverpool UOTC who sponsored me through Sandhurst. I opted to attend the consolidated eight- week course where I made friends for life and learned the basics of Soldiering and Officership. I commissioned into 103 Regiment RA on 14th April 2017 and was met by the Commanding Officer and Adjutant before the Parade.
It is now nearly six years since the start of my journey, and I have been commis- sioned for three. The Army Reserve has allowed me to live where I choose, continue my civilian career and put as much or as little time into the Army as I can.
With the odds stacked against me, I decided to switch fire and join the Army Reserve
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