Edward Jackson

I enlisted in the British Army on 7th November 2021, attending Phase 1 training at 1 Army Training Regiment Winchester, passing out as a part of Corunna Company. During this 6-month transformation, I developed my fitness and built my teamwork and learnt the foundations of soldiering; a lifestyle built on discipline and professionalism. Following on from this, I spent 1 year at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire. Here I studied to become an Aviation Communications Specialist, a role in which I used systems including BOWMAN, HARRIS MMR and a wide range of other networking tools and communications system trained to deploy to a front-line Squadron in the Army Air Corps. I am now posted to 669 (HQ) Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, as a part of the Command Troop, where I routinely work hand-in-hand with members of my department. I take great pride in regularly delivering flight operations duties in which I am a qualified operations handler. My time in the Army has been extraordinary so far, with opportunities all across Europe. Using my technical aptitude and leadership skills, I am progressing on an opportunity to become a Commissioned Officer in the British Army.

In my second job in the retail industry, I continued to deliver fantastic reliability and exceed expectations in my stock management and accountability, my work ethic, and ability to resolve customer issues to a high standard, with little to no involvement from my line managers. During this short stint, which was a stopgap due to a delay in my date to join the British Army, I quickly enhanced the working environment and made a positive impact on the people I worked with.

Shortly after finishing my A-Levels at the British School of Paris, I was employed at my local supermarket as I looked for a stable footing in starting my adult life. During my 2-year stint, I developed skills and qualities that I had not been exposed to in my education, in particular, an ability to communicate with a wide audience of people from varying ages and backgrounds. I made myself adaptable across many departments in the store and across the local network, seeking overtime hours in other locations when needed or called upon. I quickly developed a reputation as someone who could think on their feet and be highly dependable, no matter the circumstance.