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Khaki uniforms, shiny black boots, regimented life and fighting in foreign climes….. Is this your view of the army? We have been catching up with Old Seafordians about careers in the army and in particular Major Justin Kingsford of The King’s Royal Hussars (KRH).

KRH are a Cavalry regiment of approx. 450 full time soldiers and supporting staff. Infantry and Cavalry regiments – the so called ‘teeth arms’ - are mostly male domains due to the heavy loads, but we are told that girls will one day win that war and gain entry! Also The Army, which in total employs 100,000 soldiers and support staff, has a huge array of back up staff where all can gain full careers. This regiment is active all over the world and trains to mobilise in tanks and other armoured vehicles, and also on foot. The principal fighting vehicle of the KRH is the Challenger 2 (see photo attached). In an armoured division one spends a great deal of time learning and training in movement across a variety of terrains.

Justin left Seaford - where he was an army sergeant cadet - in 1990 after 5 years spent in Millburgh House. He had decided at an early age to join the army. The big pulling factor was visiting his friend and fellow Old Seafordian Hugo Smythe (Charmandean 1988) in Germany for a KRH Officers’ Mess party. This along with a Cadet Summer camp in Hameln, Germany enlightened Justin to the excitement of a short career in the army, and since that time and thirteen years in service, he tells us how the army has proven to be an excellent employer. His enjoyment of the profession compelled him to make it his career rather than a fleeting officer commission he once dreamt of. After a year off travelling in Oz following Seaford, Justin studied for his degree at Leicester, reading history and politics. Looking back, he is pleased that he took his fathers advice to take a degree and to join the army as an officer rather than a soldier. This has allowed him to progress well through the ranks while progressing academically. Some may see the Army as one dimensional, clearly it has much to offer in this day and age.

The Army encourages continual learning to such an extent that Justin recently took a masters degree in technology so that he can understand fully the workings of military machines, with a view to procurement. This achievement followed his degree when he left college at Leicester University and his 12 month stint and passing out at Sandhurst. ‘An army career can be as varied and diverse as you want it to be. The first few years of a commission are spent with your regiment and usually you are thrown in at the deep end, straight out to Battle areas, and in this day and age likely off to Iraq or Afghanistan, Justin went off to Bosnia. You quickly bond with your fellow officers and soldiers as you share a common bond, and are driven by what you believe in. You are also part of a team and each role is vital’ Justin tells us.

After 4-5 years and with perhaps the vision of the 3 year officer commission now in the rear view mirror, a career in the army unfolded.

As junior ranking officers 2nd Lieutenant through to Captain (aged 22-31) - you are towing the line, relying on the experience and judgement of others to ensure you take your soldiers in the right direction. From your early 30s, when you achieve the rank of Major, you will likely spend more time developing and steering the army effort, being empowered to make more strategic decisions. Justin has spent the last few years in London with the MOD and recently moved back to his regiment, awaiting what could be a major deployment overseas.

The Army encourages all ranks to be well versed and up to date with current, political and religious affairs as your job is likely to change and location moved every few years, you never know who you may be talking to and mixing with.

In family terms the army is likely to move towards a more fixed base for soldiers, officers and their families, residing in one place for 5 years and then working from that base on short term deployments. This will encourage families to grow and prosper without having to move houses and children from schools every two years which has proved to be disruptive. In career development terms, the army offers several different commissions. Justin tells us that the regular commission has a career track to age 55 (with a non-contributory pension). Although he was not thinking of the full career when he first joined he appreciates the considerable benefits some years on.

In rank terms, in this regiment who are based in Wiltshire, there are five majors reporting to the commanding officer (a Lieutenant-Colonel). Five into one does not go of course and so the ambition to run the regiment will be tough but there are then opportunities to achieve higher ranks throughout the wider army network. As a Major you are in charge of 85 troops and 14 battle tanks. Asked about the best aspects of a career in the Army, Justin replied it is all about the people you work with – soldiers and officers alike – and the variety of the job, with no two days ever being the same.

Justin is very happy to talk to anyone from Seaford who is keen to understand and learn more about Army life. We would also like to hear from other members of the armed forces with their own experiences of careers and in active service. Please make contact with the administrator by email through the ‘contact us’ area as his mobile reception in the tanks is a little up and down ! Thanks to Justin Kingsford for his help and good luck.

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