If you have been reading these posts for a while, you may remember on Day 4 I mentioned I was an Army cadet, and what a huge positive influence cadets had was on my life. By the time I was 16 I’d decided that I wanted to join the Army as an engineer and, against advice, I opted to do music, maths and physics A-levels.
After two terms of not comprehending anything in my maths or physics lessons, I went to see the Headmaster to tell him he was right and please could I change subjects to the ones he suggested – which were my strengths – English and Classics. My plans to join the Army were dashed.
At the time I obviously didn’t consider/realise that there were plenty of other jobs open to me in the military and I followed a different path, however the ethos and values I learned have never left me. Every day I try to embody the Commando spirit: Courage, Determination, Unselfishness and Cheerfulness, and these words are at the entrance to my work room to give me positive thoughts before I log on.
I hope the Royal Marines don’t mind me ‘borrowing’ their ethos, I’m obviously not a Marine (nor did I ever intend to be one) but these words inspire me and I feel are worthy characteristics to live by.
Elizabeth Mooney 