Page 22 - QARANC Spring 2024

22 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘Sandhurst
lived up to my
expectations of
being very grand
and daunting’
Reservist Mel Godfrey was shocked and delighted to be chosen to carry the sword of honour at her pass off parade at Sandhurst. This is her journey so far...
My journey as a reserve started four years ago, when I walked through the door of Harewood Barracks, in Leeds. I had thought about joining the Army Reserves for quite some time, having had friends who had joined, and I knew I would love the challenge and the adventure.
I joined 212 Field Hospital as an adult ward nurse, although in my civilian employment I am a cardiac specialist nurse. The basic training in Strensall, North Yorkshire, was cold, male-dominated and intimidating. After one week I swore I would never go back but before long I realised that my concerns were unfounded and I started to enjoy what the Army had to offer.
Since then, I have taken advantage of the opportunities that have come my way, from taking part in the Nijmegen marches (and meeting a host of other nations on this special and humbling occasion) to taking on the challenging exercise ARDUOUS SERPENT, rock climbing in the Dolomites and developing myself with a military funded level 7 clinical assessment module at Birmingham City University.
As someone who absolutely loves to travel and makes a habit of exploring different countries and places as often as possible, I take every opportunity with the Army to venture far and wide doing very different activities.
In June 2022, my detachment OC told me she was recommending me for commission. I was taken aback as, although I had thought about it, I didn’t know if I was ready for this and the thought of going
I take every opportunity with the Army to venture far and wide doing very different activities