MUCKING in with the soldiers of the Territorial Army can be a revealing experience, writes Richard Abbott. For underneath the helmets and combat gear, leading a remarkable double life, are office workers, postmen and factory hands. For many of us, the weekends are about lazing in the armchair, maybe doing the shopping or going down the pub - basically re-charging the batteries for another week.

But for these part-time squaddies, joining up was about getting away from the weekly slog, getting their hands dirty and experiencing something more exciting.

Capt Ruth Empson led soldiers from 5 Squadron Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars in an exercise at Shotover Country Park, near Headington, where soldiers happily sacrificed their Saturday to do conservation work. Capt Empson spends her weekdays as a university lecturer but enjoys swapping her students for soldiers. Such is the contrast of life in the TA.

"I would strongly recommend joining up to anyone who wants to get away from it all. We are basically a communications squadron. We are involved in all sorts of exercises with radios and telecommunications," she says.

The squadron is based in Banbury but Capt Empson is heading a new detachment at Slade Park, Oxford, and is keen to sign up new recruits.

At Shotover Park, soldiers erected the obligatory green tent and started an huge fire. This was used to burn silver birch trees chopped down to make way for new growth. The community spirit was plain to see as the soldiers worked in tandem at sawing through trunks and then retired to tuck into their pre-packed army ration meals.

It was hard work but for the 17 soldiers involved it was a world away from their usual daily routine.

Rob Fuller, 23, of Jericho, works as an office administrator. He signed up last October to add some spice to his week and is now on the trainee scheme.

"I saw it as a good opportunity to do something different at the weekend. It's also a good way to learn more skills. It's not much fun being stuck in an office all your life," he says.

Lucy Corr, 22, an IT consultant from Cowley, said she had always fancied Army life and joined the squadron two years ago. She will be one of the soldiers transferring to Slade Park. "You get to meet a lot of people and learn a lot of new skills. It can be very exciting. It teaches you a lot about personal organisation," says Lucy.

In April, Lucy will join other soldiers for a trip to Zimbabwe where she will take part in a survival challenge.

The squadron's new presence in Oxford is based at the Slade Park TA Centre, re-establishing old links dating back to 1798. The big move is pencilled in for this month.

Capt Empson added: "We are looking for anyone who is interested in communication, fit and aged between 17 and 32. That is all you need. We will arrange all the training."

*For more information about joining the Terrotorial Army, ring 01295 262178.

Story date: Tuesday 08 February

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