A Public Services student from Stratford-upon-Avon College has joined The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).
Jack Doolan, 16 years old from Solihull, dreamed of joining the army from a young age. His desire to join the military was driven by his need to do something that kept him moving and that would make a difference to the lives of others: “I seek out the need to better myself and the military seems like it can push me to do something far bigger than myself.”
The selection process was lengthy but one that Jack sailed through, passing the various tests including those testing his physical and cognitive abilities. Being offered his chosen job role as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (REME) with The Corps was as if a huge weight had been lifted off the determined student’s shoulders: “I felt a huge sense of achievement and pride that all the hard work had paid off and also a sense of honour that I will now become part of the military family.”
Jack was also thrilled to have made his family proud: “They have been there by my side throughout the process, helping and supporting me.”
This is just the beginning for Jack. The job has three phases beginning with basic training at Army Foundation College in Harrogate and then moving onto MOD Lyneham for trade training as a recovery mechanic.
Jack explains: “The role of this job is to help recover damaged vehicles and rescue stranded soldiers from the battlefield using cranes, lifting gear, and mechanical theory on how to retrieve immobile vehicles. You also learn the use of winches, ropes, metal cutting equipment and explosives to keep the fighting force moving forward.”
Reflecting on his experience studying Public Services at the College, Jack comments: “I decided to pick Stratford-upon-Avon College to continue my studies as opposed to sixth form as I was looking for something more practical and less academic as a means to further my military prospects. The course involved weekly PT sessions that have helped me keep my physical fitness up to standard and have a better understanding of how to train properly.”
Ambitious and driven, Jack has already mapped out his direction for the next two decades: “I want to do a full 22 years in the Army and hopefully go up the ranks and join the parachute regiment as an engineer. I see my future going well but I take each day as it comes.”
