Last weekend many different types of Army vehicles were on display at The Scottish Car Show.
Both Regular and Reservist soldiers were present on the day to show off the Army vehicles, and the roles available to potential recruits.
Local Regular and Reserve units displayed their skills and equipment.
The Scottish & Northern Irish Yeomanry, showcased a RWIMIK – a lightly armoured, highly mobile fire support and force protection Land Rover. The Royal Military Police, displayed their police cars and land rovers; 105 Regt Royal Artillery showed their Light Gun and Pinzauer Vehicle and 154 Regt Royal Logistics Corps brought their Man SV. The units spoke to potential recruits and their families to answer any questions they had about joining the Regular Army and Army Reserve and challenge common misconceptions.
Visitors were also given the opportunity to try 360-degree virtual reality headsets to experience of what it’s like to do an Army parachute jump, drive a Challenger battle tank and to take part in military exercises. The Army attended the event to support its recruitment campaign – A Better You – which aims to show young people how they can grow and become better versions of themselves through an Army career.
The Army’s ‘A Better You’ recruitment campaign focuses heavily on existing soldiers’ real experiences and journeys of personal growth in the Army, which have been captured in a survey among serving soldiers. Soldiers said:
- The Army has helped them to: learn new skills, become more confident, gain new qualifications, be independent and become better at communicating with people.
- Half of soldiers said their parents initially were not supportive of their decision to join, while one in four said their friends didn’t want them to join. Yet, since joining, the majority said these opinions had been changed.
- When asked why young people should join the Army, soldiers listed the following main reasons: job security, to make something of your lives, for a chance to be a better you or for the pride of serving your country.
Capt Jason Manassie, SO3 Recruiting Plans and part of 1 SCOTS Guards, said: “The Scottish Car Show was a great event for us to showcase the many different roles available in the Army and the type of equipment recruits will have the opportunity to work with. It’s not widely known that you are able to gain driving qualifications in various categories through the Army and having discussions with members of the public made them realise the skills and qualifications they could gain through a career in the Army.
“The Army should be one of the top career choices for 16-24 year olds who want to better themselves, make their family proud, and do something that matters.”
Pte Ferrini, Reserve driver in 154 Regt Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), who is also a chef by trade, said: “This was a good event with lots of opportunities to talk to members of the public about what we do in the Army Reserve. As a chef and driver in the 154 RLC, I am responsible for transporting the cookhouse and then providing meals for the soldiers when on training camps and exercise.
“Having the opportunity at the Scottish Car Show to talk to members of the public about what I do was great and people were really interested that I was a chef, as well as the driving qualifications I have gained through the Reserves. Being in the Army Reserve has really allowed me to expand my skills and do something different.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
