0:00:03 > 0:00:06It's a dangerous time to be a soldier in the British Army...
0:00:10 > 0:00:14..as almost 380 British troops have been killed in Afghanistan
0:00:14 > 0:00:17and nearly 1,700 seriously injured...
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- Show me your war face! - HE YELLS
0:00:22 > 0:00:23Stop being weak!
0:00:23 > 0:00:26..and yet thousands of young men from all across the UK
0:00:26 > 0:00:31want to join the army and get their chance to fight for their country.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33When you go in, you will go.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42This series tells the story of four young men on their journey
0:00:42 > 0:00:44from civvies to soldiers...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Got 30 bastard odd pence in.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..beginning on their first day as new recruits...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Left turn!
0:00:54 > 0:00:55You got it wrong!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..through to front-line combat in Helmand.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03SOLDIER SHOUTS ORDERS
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Jesus Christ!
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Stand to! Stand to!
0:01:20 > 0:01:23You will serve a minimum of four years.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Before joining the army,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Ashley Cavanagh was a shelf-stacker at Asda.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30It's just nerves at the moment, I think.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31You're scared to smile!
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Get on your belt buckle! Not crawl!
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Andrew Forti was struggling as a tiler,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41trying to support his three-year-old son.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Did you miss Daddy? Yeah?
0:01:43 > 0:01:47You have your bad days and good days. You've got to pull through it.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Don't fucking stop! You wouldn't stop on a battlefield!
0:01:52 > 0:01:57Darren Meads was living with his mum and signing on the dole.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58Where's your hair?
0:01:59 > 0:02:02It's the adrenalin that every soldier likes.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09And Lee Howard was training to be a hairdresser.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Anyone can get hurt. That's the name of the job, isn't it?
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Quick march!
0:02:19 > 0:02:23They're about to enter the second phase of basic training...
0:02:24 > 0:02:27..and things are about to get even tougher.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Can they survive the rest of the course...
0:02:31 > 0:02:33There's one here!
0:02:33 > 0:02:35..and pass out as infantry soldiers?
0:02:35 > 0:02:36What do you see?
0:02:36 > 0:02:39I mean I'm definitely sticking out six months.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41No way I'm going home!
0:02:50 > 0:02:53After enjoying their first weekend off in five weeks,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57the recruits are preparing to return to Catterick in North Yorkshire
0:02:57 > 0:03:00to complete the rest of their basic training.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07Living in Eastbourne, 19-year-old Lee has got a long journey back.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Behave yourself.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Do as you're told.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I haven't had a massive income.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19I haven't got a career on the go, so I haven't had any, er...
0:03:19 > 0:03:22future images of what I could do.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25I've always been worrying whether I would be able to move out
0:03:25 > 0:03:28whether I'm going to be able to get a car,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31whether I'm going to be... all the little stuff, really,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34but which is massive stuff in the long run.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37If Lee completes his training
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and graduates as a professional soldier, he'll be committed to serve
0:03:41 > 0:03:44in the army for a minimum of four years,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47earning a basic salary of 17 grand a year.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53He'll be following in the footsteps of his older brother, Chris,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55who's in rehab after being blown up
0:03:55 > 0:03:57by an explosive device in Afghanistan.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Chris has been offering Lee some constructive advice.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05I just let him know he wasn't in the army yet.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Put him in his place.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11He's like, "Yeah,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13"I will be in 20 weeks," or something.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I said, "You're not in the army till you have your first contact.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18"That's when you're in the army."
0:04:18 > 0:04:24Chances are Lee will probably go next May or September,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26to Afghan.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29So that...that really concerns me now.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Like I've said before, "They don't all die
0:04:31 > 0:04:33"and they don't all come back maimed,"
0:04:33 > 0:04:38and I think that Lee will make a very good soldier.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Yeah, it'll be good. But I will be absolutely shitting myself
0:04:42 > 0:04:45once he gets out there.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55The first five weeks of training
0:04:55 > 0:04:57was about introducing the recruits to army life,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01but now if they're to survive the next 19 weeks,
0:05:01 > 0:05:06they're going to need the skills of real combat soldiers.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Hey, Boner! Come here, man.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- You all right, man? - Yeah, are you all right?
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Nice to see you.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17The recruits are now allowed more personal privileges...
0:05:18 > 0:05:22..and 20-year-old Ashley is making the most of his home comforts.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- What have you got?- Ben 10.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I've got SpongeBob, mate!
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Ah, that's looks more comfy as well!
0:05:30 > 0:05:32You're lucky, bro!
0:05:32 > 0:05:33I was going to get that.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38After enjoying the freedom of a weekend off,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41it's straight back to the discipline of army life.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Start getting into your beds now.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46See you in the morning, then, 05.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- Good night, fellas.- Good night.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59The recruits still have the right to quit the army
0:05:59 > 0:06:00for the next six weeks.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05But it's not just them who have a decision to make.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08The army also needs to be sure
0:06:08 > 0:06:10that these young soldiers have got what it takes
0:06:10 > 0:06:12both physically and mentally,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16so they can perform on the battlefield and be ready for war.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17Right, hold it there!
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Welcome to bayonet lesson one.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23From your time in the infantry,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26it may occur when you're out in Afghanistan,
0:06:26 > 0:06:31you may need to close and engage with the enemy with bayonets fitted.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34It's psychological. If the enemy see you running with a bayonet,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37they know you'll thrust that into their sternum,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39they'll be shitting themselves, won't they?
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- Yes, Corporal!- OK?
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Ensure you kill him instead of him killing you.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Does everyone understand that?
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- Yes, Corporal!- OK, then. Look here for a complete demonstration.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- HE YELLS - You motherfucker!
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Come on! You fucker!
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Fix bayonets!
0:06:59 > 0:07:00Remove scabbards!
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- Adopt the high port position! - High port!
0:07:05 > 0:07:07The bayonet lesson is all about teaching the recruits
0:07:07 > 0:07:10about controlled aggression,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13to prepare them for closing in and killing the enemy.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- En garde!- En garde!- High port! - High port!- That's a shit one!
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Mr Cavanagh, I can see some pussies in this platoon.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- Front rank, en garde!- En garde!
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Show me some fucking aggression, front rank!
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Fucking switch on, Howard! Are you fucking stupid?- Yes, Corporal!
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- You fucking are, aren't you? - Yes, Corporal!
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Take your fucking bayonet! - Taking bayonet, Corporal!
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Go round the left!- Yes, Corporal!
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- En garde!- En garde!
0:07:43 > 0:07:46I want to see it in your eyes that you want to kill these fuckers!
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Imagine these dummies are the Taliban
0:07:48 > 0:07:50that has just fucking killed some of your mates!
0:07:50 > 0:07:53You want to fucking kill them! Show me your war face!
0:07:53 > 0:07:54THEY YELL
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Need some fucking more aggression, show me your war face.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Show me your war face!
0:08:01 > 0:08:03What do we want to do to the enemy?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Kill!
0:08:05 > 0:08:07THEY YELL
0:08:34 > 0:08:38Kill! Kill! Kill!
0:08:38 > 0:08:39Kill! Kill!
0:08:39 > 0:08:41OK, hold it there.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Fit scabbards.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09Before joining the army, Ashley lived with his mum and dad in Leeds.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Adrenalin takes over and you just...
0:09:12 > 0:09:15turn into a totally different person.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18And then a second later you can click back into yourself,
0:09:18 > 0:09:19and then he'll say "en garde"
0:09:19 > 0:09:21and you click back into that other person.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25But for 22-year-old Darren Meads,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29the prospect of hand-to-hand combat doesn't faze him.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Yeah, I'd use it straightaway.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Wouldn't think twice about it. Too right.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Do you think it would, do you think it's...
0:09:37 > 0:09:41would be easy, then, to just... make that decision?
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Kill somebody? Yeah.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Definitely. If he's coming at you, he's probably got the same weapon,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49he's coming at you, you get to him before he gets to you.
0:09:49 > 0:09:50That's what it's all about.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56I really do enjoy it, yeah, I love being,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58like, in training for the army,
0:09:58 > 0:10:02but you have to think about the sacrifices that you make to be here.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05And whether it is actually worth it like, I know they've, um,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09put the money up in Afghanistan for £29 a day, is it?
0:10:09 > 0:10:15How much would you consider taking to risk your life for six months?
0:10:15 > 0:10:17That's what you need to think about, isn't it?
0:10:17 > 0:10:20It's not just the money, it's your life!
0:10:20 > 0:10:23I'd rather walk away with my life than any amount of money,
0:10:23 > 0:10:24to be quite honest.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Two British soldiers have died after they were fatally wounded...
0:10:27 > 0:10:31100 British soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan this...
0:10:31 > 0:10:34A British solider has been killed in Afghanistan.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35His family has been informed.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Both families have been informed.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Almost 380 British soldiers have been killed
0:10:43 > 0:10:45in combat in Afghanistan.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50And 80% of those casualties have been from the infantry.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Six more servicemen killed in Afghanistan in less than a week.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56The loss of life is intense.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01All the recruits are given pastoral care
0:11:01 > 0:11:03to help ready them for the realities
0:11:03 > 0:11:06of joining the British Army at such a dangerous time.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08We've got to be honest about what we do.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11There is a chance that you or I could be killed
0:11:11 > 0:11:12on operations in Afghanistan.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16If you didn't realise that by now, it's time to realise. OK?
0:11:17 > 0:11:20It's kind of, you know, it's a serious game, isn't it?
0:11:20 > 0:11:26We could look at the fact that we send lots of people out there,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29and in a sense very few of them come back dead,
0:11:29 > 0:11:35but we need to realise that sadly somebody will, OK?
0:11:35 > 0:11:36Who's got a will?
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Anybody not got a will?
0:11:40 > 0:11:43OK. Just think about wills. Wills are a good thing.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46If you haven't sorted anything like that, have a think about it.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Death letters. Anybody know about death letters?
0:11:51 > 0:11:53A death letter is a letter that you write
0:11:53 > 0:11:55that gets sent in the case of your death. All right?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Any of you written letters like that?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59These are very dangerous things. OK?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02You've got to be careful where it ends up and who knows about it.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Does that make sense? MURMURING
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Yeah, good, um, and then, er, leave no loose ends.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10And before you go on tour, just have a quick look at your life.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13If you've got five girlfriends, maybe drop four of them.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Just think about your life before you disappear off on tour.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Does that make sense? Yeah?
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Great! Thanks very much.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Thank you, Padre.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26'These lessons that we do with them'
0:12:26 > 0:12:28in training are about, um...
0:12:28 > 0:12:34preparing the ground, really, so we can assist them, in all this stuff.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36I don't think they really understand
0:12:36 > 0:12:39how it's going to be until they get there.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Even though the army try to prepare the recruits
0:12:50 > 0:12:52for the realities of war,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54for many, the thought of fighting on the front line
0:12:54 > 0:12:57seemed distant and far-removed.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04However, having had his brother blown up just 12 months ago,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Lee and his family have seen, first-hand, the ravages of war.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13But don't forget, you see, we saw Chris get brought back
0:13:13 > 0:13:15and the state he was in and everything.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20I don't know whether Lee's really come to terms with that himself.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23And, um, because the army say to them, "Oh, at least one of you are
0:13:23 > 0:13:28"going to die out of the group you're in and one's going to get maimed,"
0:13:28 > 0:13:31obviously that shook Lee up completely.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35And he actually texted me the other night,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38and said, "Mum can you pray for me?"
0:13:41 > 0:13:44What's your last two of your army number, Howard?
0:13:44 > 0:13:4764, Corporal.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Six weeks into training,
0:13:49 > 0:13:54the prospect of deploying to Afghanistan has proved too much.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Well, I just decided to leave this week because,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01just so many things are going on in my head.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06The thought of going to Afghan next year isn't very good.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Three more people died on the weekend,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12which sort of makes you start thinking a bit more as well.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I've been thinking about my brother loads,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and how my brother's been at home and that,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20cos obviously what happened to him.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29The whole thought of dying, or getting hurt like that,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32and seeing my family go through that sort of stuff again,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34I couldn't do it.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44- 'Do you think he joined the army for the wrong reasons?- Yeah.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46'Yeah, I do.'
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Yeah. I think he... personally I think he joined
0:14:51 > 0:14:56to try and get back at the people that attacked Chris.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59That's why I reckon he joined.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12For the remaining troops back in training, things are hotting up.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17GUNFIRE
0:15:17 > 0:15:18Next man in!
0:15:21 > 0:15:24What do you see?
0:15:24 > 0:15:29Once the recruits complete their basic training,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32they'll be joining an infantry regiment called the Rifles,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35which is made of five different battalions.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Grab a seat, there's paper under the chairs, fellas.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Each of these battalions are based in different locations -
0:15:44 > 0:15:49four in the UK and one in Germany.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54Crucially, some of the battalions will be deploying to Afghanistan
0:15:54 > 0:15:55sooner than others.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Be under no illusions what you're committing yourselves to today.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03That went on all day from dusk till dawn.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09The recruits are about to make the biggest decision
0:16:09 > 0:16:11of their army careers so far,
0:16:11 > 0:16:16as they have to decide which battalion they prefer to join.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20OK, 1 Rifles, located in Chepstow, right on the border of Wales.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Not quite. Spitting distance.
0:16:23 > 0:16:262 Rifles, located in Ballykilner, Northern Ireland.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31Nice little selling point there fellas, £6.11 extra per day.
0:16:31 > 0:16:393 Rifles, located in Edinburgh, which is a European City of Culture.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Also they do ceremonial duties at the castle.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Doesn't sound too inviting,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46but I'm hearing it's an attraction to the ladies,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48goes down well with the single lads.
0:16:50 > 0:16:544 Rifles, located in Bulford, in Wiltshire.
0:16:54 > 0:16:575 Rifles, located in Paderborn in Germany.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Pick up the paperwork in front of you.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03It says, "Preference one, preference two."
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Simply put the number of the battalion you will wish to go to,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and next to it there's two spaces there
0:17:10 > 0:17:14to put a brief explanation as to why you want to go to them battalions.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20The lads are making a decision
0:17:20 > 0:17:23that could affect the rest of their army lives.
0:17:23 > 0:17:254th Battalion.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30I was in-between 2 and 5, to be honest.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Yeah, put overseas experience.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Yeah, how do you spell that?
0:17:35 > 0:17:38It's one word, isn't it, overseas? Yeah?
0:17:39 > 0:17:431 Rifles are the next battalion to deploy to Afghanistan,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46so have the greatest need for new troops.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50And Darren has narrowed his preferences down to two.
0:17:50 > 0:17:524th Battalion and 3rd Battalion.
0:17:52 > 0:17:554th, I've put, "Good friends in the battalion.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00"The tour date's not till 2012, that gives me enough chance to like,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03"get to know my section, get to know the lads and stuff."
0:18:03 > 0:18:06The third one I've just put, "It's a good lifestyle for a young soldier."
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Don't know what else to put.
0:18:09 > 0:18:111 Rifles goes in March.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15And then 2 and 5 go... deploy together at the end of,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18er, September, I think it was, next year, or something like that.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22I don't want to go on tour just yet.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26There's plenty of time for that, in't there? To go on tour.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33What have you put for your reasons?
0:18:33 > 0:18:37I'd rather be, like, close to home, no not close to home,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40but I'd rather be, like, London's about a hundred mile from me,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44which is ideal, so at weekends I can just drive home and see my son.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Andrew doesn't live with his three-year-old son
0:18:48 > 0:18:50but wants to be posted as close to him as possible.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52With only a one-in-five chance
0:18:52 > 0:18:55of being assigned the battalion of his choice,
0:18:55 > 0:18:57he's not holding his breath.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01To be honest, I think they've already decided where we're going.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02They've made their mind up.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05You write this down for no reason. It's already set.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07They just send you where they want.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08I won't get any of my choices.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12I don't want to go to 1, though, that's the problem. Definitely not.
0:19:12 > 0:19:13What are you putting, then, Ash?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Don't know, don't really care,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17cos I know I'm not going to get what I want.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- What did you put, Ray?- 2 and 5.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- Which is shit.- Why don't you think you're going to get 4 then, though?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- Fucking everybody's putting it down. - Who's putting 4?- Everybody.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Ashley's got an even bigger decision to make.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36With only five days to go until he's committed for the next four years,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40Ashley needs to decide whether or not he even wants to be in the army.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43I wish I knew what I wanted to do.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48I just don't know whether it's worth going to Afghan for.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Such a hard choice to make as well.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01And it's hard to explain
0:20:01 > 0:20:03to people that aren't here.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10A long way from the world of soldiering,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Ashley's dad runs a car showroom outside Leeds.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- You couldn't hear any squeaking or anything like that?- No.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- At least we've reported it to them then.- Yeah.- Thanks, mate.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Obviously I'll always have that Afghanistan
0:20:30 > 0:20:32in the back of my head, always, I mean...
0:20:32 > 0:20:34I've got it on my favourites - every day I look at it.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37You just need to know, really, you know, you just always
0:20:37 > 0:20:40constantly want to know, but I don't think it's healthy at all.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I think what I've probably got to do is take a step back from it,
0:20:43 > 0:20:49and then, you know, depending on where he goes, whether it's
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Three Rifles or Four Rifles or wherever,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55I'll have to just wait until that time comes and, you know,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58just enjoy his achievements while he's in the army, like I say,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01not think about that at all, until the time comes, you know,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03otherwise it's a bit morbid.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11But for his mum, whose father was in the army,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15she's got no doubt about what Ashley should do.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Hopefully, fingers crossed, if everything goes well,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19he'll have a good life out of this.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23I think so, and he loves it, he really does like it,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26and he's fought so hard to get in that it would just be such a shame,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30you know, to sort of come out on a whim and regret it for a long time,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and it could take him a hell of a long time to get back in again.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I don't think there's anything out there for the kids any more,
0:21:37 > 0:21:38I just think the army could,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41if you enjoy it, it'll give him a great life, I think he'll love it.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44And if you put the Afghan thing aside, trying to think about that
0:21:44 > 0:21:49too much, and I think the sky's the limit for him, I really do.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Over in Eastbourne,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00it's been four weeks since Lee Howard quit the army.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- How are you doing, all right?- Hello.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07After his brother Chris was blown up in Afghanistan,
0:22:07 > 0:22:11Lee decided going to war wasn't for him.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Chris was awarded compensation for the loss of his limbs...
0:22:14 > 0:22:17And looking very happy.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22..and he's using these proceeds to finance a new business
0:22:22 > 0:22:27his family have always dreamt of - a funeral home.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Today is the grand opening,
0:22:30 > 0:22:34and Chris's former commanding officer is the guest of honour.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39Ladies and gentlemen, I'm now going to exercise a huge honour and open
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Payne & Sons with Rifleman Chris Howard.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44It is now open.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51That's good, innit?
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Chris, I'd like to salute you for what you've done
0:22:53 > 0:22:55A, s a rifleman, but B, as a man.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59And I think it's fantastic that this project at Payne & Sons
0:22:59 > 0:23:02now comes to fruition, it gives you a chance to do stuff
0:23:02 > 0:23:04for people in town of Eastbourne.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07But with a great man there's always a great woman,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09and if it's not your wife it's your mum.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- That's right.- Donna has been amazing,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14in the same way that Chris has displayed huge courage
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and great humanity, Donna has been an amazing mother
0:23:17 > 0:23:20over the last twelve months, and has stood by her boy
0:23:20 > 0:23:22in the face of incredible adversity,
0:23:22 > 0:23:27and has kept him going, and has been a great motivator for him.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Well, I haven't written a speech,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32I just want to say thank you to everybody who's come.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36This has been my dream for about three years.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38We tried desperately to raise money. Sorry.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42That's all right.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47No, I'm all right.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50We tried desperately to raise money.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Three banks didn't want to know.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55They refused us.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58So the dream started to go.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00And Chris, he had his accident.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06And with his compensation he said, "We can do this together."
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Sorry.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13We have to make it work,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and to give Chris
0:24:16 > 0:24:19a decent life as well, because he's spent all his money!
0:24:22 > 0:24:23It went really well there.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25I always cry when I talk about Chris.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29You make me bloody cry an' all.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Well, done bruv.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I was hoping I'd come back and see everyone happy,
0:24:33 > 0:24:37and my brother's happy, and it's good to see that, to be honest.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39There was a time when I thought I'd lose him.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42And it makes me happy, sitting here watching him
0:24:42 > 0:24:43sort of getting involved with this.
0:24:58 > 0:25:04After ten weeks of training, Ashley's finally made a decision.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06'As it's got closer and closer,
0:25:06 > 0:25:10'I've just been in turmoil whether to actually stay or leave.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14'If I serve four years, I could possibly go to Afghan twice.
0:25:14 > 0:25:20'And the likelihood of coming back both times with not a scratch on you
0:25:20 > 0:25:22'is highly, highly unlikely.'
0:25:24 > 0:25:28He doesn't want to seem like, um, you know,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31he's chickening out or he's scared or anything,
0:25:31 > 0:25:32It's only natural to be
0:25:32 > 0:25:35'apprehensive about going somewhere like Afghanistan.'
0:25:35 > 0:25:38But I think particularly for Rifleman Cavanagh, I think it
0:25:38 > 0:25:42might be playing on him more than others.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46At the end of the day I can't make him not.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48It's his choice, it's his right.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53I don't think it's worth the money
0:25:53 > 0:25:55and the effort and stuff, like I said before,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57it's not worth it all, it's...
0:25:59 > 0:26:02..stupid, really. I've got other things that I'd rather do,
0:26:02 > 0:26:06I'm 20, I've not lived my life yet, not properly, anyway.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10You know, I've barely gone out, barely done stupid stuff.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16So I'd rather go back, find a proper career that I really want to do.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23You know, despite the fact that it's an exciting career -
0:26:23 > 0:26:27you know, there's all sorts of things to do there...
0:26:27 > 0:26:31You know, it was always in the back of my mind, Afghanistan,
0:26:31 > 0:26:34and, you know, it didn't sit well at all.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38It's still upsetting for Ashley, you know, because
0:26:38 > 0:26:42it's kind of one of his dreams has gone by, really, you know.
0:26:42 > 0:26:48As much as David felt differently, I always sort of took a back step.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50This is purely Ashley's decision,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54and I just, even though my life in the army was brilliant
0:26:54 > 0:26:57when I was a kid, I knew Ashley could have all that and more
0:26:57 > 0:27:02but for the Afghanistan thing, that was the biggest stumbling block.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Left, right, left, right, left, right.
0:27:15 > 0:27:1814 weeks into basic training, the remaining recruits are now
0:27:18 > 0:27:22committed to serve in the British army for the next four years.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27All right, gents, get your suits on.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29For those that have stayed the course,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32the intensity of their training is about to be ramped up.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46You will be exposed to CS.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50It's part of the training, you will be called forward as an individual,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52and you will take your respirator off
0:27:52 > 0:27:54and you will be exposed to CS
0:27:54 > 0:27:58by shouting our your regimental service number, your name,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00your rank - whether you're a rifleman or a private -
0:28:00 > 0:28:02and what regiment you come from.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Happy?
0:28:04 > 0:28:08- I'll be in a fucking state when I get out.- I'm looking forward to this!
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Bit nervous. I think I'm going to choke and puke a few times.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Gas! Gas! Gas!
0:28:14 > 0:28:19The recruits are about to be exposed to CS, or tear gas,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21to try and build their confidence
0:28:21 > 0:28:24in the kit and equipment they're issued with.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26OK, let's go, come on, go lads.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29OK, what's going to happen guys, when you go into the chamber,
0:28:29 > 0:28:31what I want you to do
0:28:31 > 0:28:34is go around the right-hand side and start walking around.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Let's go! Go, let's go! Let's go, let's go! Get in there.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Soldiers are not routinely exposed in this way
0:28:40 > 0:28:43once they've completed their training.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48Gents.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Now you're going to take your respirator fully off
0:28:51 > 0:28:54and give your regimental service number,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56your name, your rank
0:28:56 > 0:28:59and your section commander.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Let's go. Take it off.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- Let's go.- I'm...
0:29:03 > 0:29:05- HE COUGHS - Come on mate!
0:29:05 > 0:29:08I am...
0:29:08 > 0:29:09Come on.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12All right, come on.
0:29:15 > 0:29:22301236 Section Commander Hodges, 1st Battalion regiment, um...
0:29:22 > 0:29:24- HE COUGHS - Section Commander?
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Section Commander Hodges?
0:29:26 > 0:29:28All right, well done. Come on.
0:29:34 > 0:29:35Come on then. Well done.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38Next!
0:29:40 > 0:29:41Next!
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Sergeant...
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Two Commander, well done.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Towards me. Come on.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Towards me.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21You feel like you can't breathe in or out or anything. It's horrible.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Then bogeys and stuff start coming out your mouth,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27started dribbling everywhere, and erm...he let me out.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31But I'm going on a sickie next time, definitely. Ain't doing that again.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41With only eight weeks to go until the recruits graduate,
0:30:41 > 0:30:44the army needs to add more realism to the training exercises
0:30:44 > 0:30:46and recreate some of the conditions
0:30:46 > 0:30:50they might find themselves fighting in on the battlefield.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Erm...we've used condoms, we have,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55filled with fake blood that they use on med training.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59That should go well.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59GUNFIRE Go for it, let's go. Get down.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Go! Go! Under the barbed wire!
0:31:01 > 0:31:05And of course a little bit of encouragement never hurts.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Come on! Stop being weak!
0:31:06 > 0:31:09You're trying to kill him, you're not tickling him!
0:31:09 > 0:31:13If you're like this in Afghan, you will get killed, do you understand?
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Good! Good! Good!
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Come on, men.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Stop being weak!
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Aaargh!
0:31:21 > 0:31:22Fucking get down!
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- Come on! Get up!- Aaargh!
0:31:26 > 0:31:28- Come on!- Aargh, aaargh!
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Calm down, calm down.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Compose yourself, calm down.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35- You all right?- Sir.- Your weapon.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47It was fucking full-on, straight through.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Very, very, very fucking hard.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52My knees are cut to pieces.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56I couldn't calm down for a minute.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- There were no soft ground at all, were there?- No. Not at all.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03You get so aggressive when you're doing it, don't you? So angry.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06I couldn't calm down for a minute. I feel like crying. It's weird.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23The remaining recruits are enjoying a well-earned weekend off
0:32:23 > 0:32:24away from the army.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29When they return after this short break
0:32:29 > 0:32:32they'll find out which battalion they've been assigned to,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36and where they'll be based for the next four years.
0:32:38 > 0:32:44Andrew is separated from his wife, so his three year-old son Kian
0:32:44 > 0:32:46has come to stay with him during his time off.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48- Have you missed your daddy?- Yeah.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Lots and lots? Like jelly tots?
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Do you like Daddy being in the army?
0:32:55 > 0:32:58- Yeah.- Yeah? Why?
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- Cos I do.- Do you?- Yeah.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- Are you proud of him? - Do you think Daddy's a big boy?
0:33:03 > 0:33:05- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07It's just so nice when they're together.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12You know... Erm...it's just that little look on his face.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15And Andrew just gets... He's like a little kid himself I suppose,
0:33:15 > 0:33:17he gets really excited to see him,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19you know, can't wait to see him.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Yeah, it's really lovely.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24Really nice to see.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Right, come here then.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30- I can play with this bit. I've picked some out before you get it.- Did you?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Have you got any milk, yeah?
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Tomorrow, when Andrew returns to the army,
0:33:34 > 0:33:38he'll find out when he's heading to the front line.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41So I don't just want to get shipped straight out there.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44I might end up getting shot or something, knowing me.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47I am looking forward to going, but six months is a long time,
0:33:47 > 0:33:49and being away from my son for that long as well,
0:33:49 > 0:33:52that's going to be really hard, that'll be the hardest part.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Lift your arms. Put that there, look.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58'When he's older it'll be easier, cos he'll understand more.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02'But obviously, he's only three, and he ain't going to understand
0:34:02 > 0:34:06'where I'm going for six months and how to explain it to him.'
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Oh, I don't know.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14I'm trying not to think about that, to be honest.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24Over in Doncaster, Darren's also thinking about his family.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29His mum and dad split up when he was three years old.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32There's a picture of me as a baby with my dad.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34It was just downstairs in the kitchen, that.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Just lets me know I've got a dad.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41When he did a tour of Afghanistan last year with the TA,
0:34:41 > 0:34:43he fell out with his dad.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46He's more the politics side of life.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50So he was just like, "You're going to go out there,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53"you're going to get treated like shit, you're going to die..."
0:34:53 > 0:34:54type thing.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57The politics don't give a fuck about you,
0:34:57 > 0:34:59the army doesn't give a fuck about you.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01You know, that type of attitude.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03I didn't want to hear it.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04Why would you want to hear that?
0:35:04 > 0:35:07So I just told him to fuck off, that were it.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11I didn't talk to him until six months later, when I got back.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22If I were a dad, and my son were doing something..
0:35:22 > 0:35:25something really good that I'd think...
0:35:25 > 0:35:27I don't know, a good job or whatever,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29I'd be constantly wanting to talk to him,
0:35:29 > 0:35:31just constantly wanting to see him.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34And just tell him how proud you are of him
0:35:34 > 0:35:38and things like that, but...
0:35:38 > 0:35:40I don't hear anything from him.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46With six weeks still remaining until they pass out,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49the recruits are about to find out
0:35:49 > 0:35:52which of the five battalions they'll be joining.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56If they get assigned to 1 Rifles,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59they could be heading to Afghanistan in less than a year.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02This is one of the days they've been looking forward to
0:36:02 > 0:36:04for the last couple of weeks - months, probably -
0:36:04 > 0:36:07to find out whether they'll be going once they leave here.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11So... Much anticipated, relief and joy for some,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13and obviously slight disappointment,
0:36:13 > 0:36:15or a lot of disappointment for others.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17I'm not going to get what I want.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Oh, it's stressing me out.
0:36:19 > 0:36:20I really don't want One.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24I've put 4 and 2 for my battalions.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27But as long as we're together, it won't be as bad if we're together.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31All right, we're going. We're going.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37It's our lives they're playing around with here.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40It's been so emotional these last two days.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44In you go guys.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53The moment has arrived, the one you've all been waiting for.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55This list will not change.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57OK? Where you're going you will go, basically,
0:36:57 > 0:36:59and that's the end of the story.
0:37:00 > 0:37:05Charnley, 2 Rifles.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Forti, 1 Rifles.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13Malcolm, 1 Rifles.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17Meads, 1 Rifles.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20There shouldn't really be any shocks or surprises, OK?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Cos you know 1 Rifles are going on tour first, OK?
0:37:23 > 0:37:26so they're the guys who need people.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30As a Rifleman you need to stay with a battalion for at least three years
0:37:30 > 0:37:33before you are eligible for a transfer.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Unfortunately I can't change it, no-one here can change it.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40It's done at a regimental level. The regiment decides where you're going
0:37:40 > 0:37:42and as I said, that's it.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49The army cannot function without, unfortunately,
0:37:49 > 0:37:52being slightly selfish and putting itself first,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54and everybody who joins...
0:37:54 > 0:37:55in the first week or two,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58is always briefed that the ethos that the army works
0:37:58 > 0:38:00is that the army comes first, and your life,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03and your personal life, and that of your family, comes a close second.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Having been assigned to 1 Rifles, they're both heading to war
0:38:08 > 0:38:11in less than six months.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Bit gutted really, but never mind.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20I'm not going to complain to the fucking platoon commander about it
0:38:20 > 0:38:22and try and get it changed and all that shit.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Fuck that. Pussies do that.
0:38:27 > 0:38:28I'll just deal with it.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35I'll see what my mum says.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- 'Yeah, but when are they going on tour?'- March.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40'So you're going in March.'
0:38:40 > 0:38:45And they do three months' deployment training before.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47So basically as soon as I pass out of here...
0:38:47 > 0:38:49'You're going straight into training.'
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Yeah.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53'How do you feel about that?'
0:38:55 > 0:38:58There's fuck all I can do about it though, is there?
0:38:58 > 0:39:01'Is it because, you know, 1 Rifles -
0:39:01 > 0:39:03'I've been reading up on it on the internet -
0:39:03 > 0:39:09'it's quite an elite battalion, it's...the best, if you like.'
0:39:09 > 0:39:11She's doing her fucking history now.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13'Is it because they've seen something in you...
0:39:13 > 0:39:15'There's only six men out of 1st Rifles
0:39:15 > 0:39:17'who've been killed throughout this war.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20'that's quite a low number compared to all the rest.'
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- I didn't know that!- 'I don't know if they've seen something in you
0:39:24 > 0:39:26'and they've thought you've got the heart,
0:39:26 > 0:39:27'you've got the balls for it.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30'You're not farting around, you're not messing about.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32'And I think they've seen that,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35'and they're thinking, "You're not going to shit around,
0:39:35 > 0:39:40'"let's give you the elite group." Number One, come on.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41'You know?'
0:39:41 > 0:39:44- You just think I'm a ninja. - 'You are a ninja!
0:39:44 > 0:39:47'No, you're a ninja! Come on!
0:39:47 > 0:39:51'You are the ninja, you need to be with the ninja group.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54'The other option is come out altogether and be a bum.'
0:39:54 > 0:39:55Fuck that.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57'Exactly. Exactly.'
0:39:57 > 0:39:59All right, I'll give you a ring later on anyway.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01'All right darling. I love you.'
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- Love you too. - 'See you later. Bye.'- Bye.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11When she puts it like that, that I'm a ninja,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15you just think, "Well, I'm going to be a ninja."
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Yeah, I'm happy with that.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24He'll not know how frightened I am.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26I won't let him see it. Do you know what I mean?
0:40:26 > 0:40:29I'll, I'll do that privately.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33He might need to keep his spirits up and his strength up,
0:40:33 > 0:40:36so that he can go out there and not be worrying about me,
0:40:36 > 0:40:38because I don't want him worrying about me.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I'll worry about him, but he's not worrying about me.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43I'll do a lot of praying, and a lot of crying,
0:40:43 > 0:40:45and I'll do a lot of "Oh, my God, oh, my God."
0:40:49 > 0:40:53I'd rather him be a lorry driver or something,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57but I can't... Darren just wouldn't be happy.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59They've lost...
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I don't know the total count now,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03but I know it's over 300 - 300 men -
0:41:03 > 0:41:05in, what, ten years?
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Have we been there ten years?
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Coming up for 11 years, aren't we?
0:41:10 > 0:41:13In Dunkirk, where my granddad was,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17in Dunkirk, in three months, they lost about 72,000.
0:41:17 > 0:41:2072,000 in one tour.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27It's a big difference, isn't it?
0:41:27 > 0:41:29In three months.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34You know what I mean? And my granddad survived!
0:41:39 > 0:41:42I just don't want him to be part of those statistics,
0:41:42 > 0:41:48but I'm sure every mother of those boys that have died,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51those men that have died, have...
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Do you know what I mean? Have said the same thing.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57And I can't imagine how they must feel.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58I can't.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07Andrew's also breaking the news to his mum, Diane.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09'Right, well, you're not happy about it then?'
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Um, I weren't too impressed,
0:42:11 > 0:42:15but I'm with Meads and I go on tour in March.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17'Where are we going to in March?'
0:42:17 > 0:42:21- Afghan.- 'Oh, right.'- That's where I get sent out on, erm...thing.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23'Yeah.'
0:42:23 > 0:42:27I'd, rather... I really wanted to go to 2 now, but never mind.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32- I've got to go, Mum, cos I've got things to do.- 'All right then.'
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- All right, I'll speak to you later. - 'OK.'- Bye-bye.- 'Bye!'
0:42:42 > 0:42:45I have to be strong for him, really.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47You know, there's no point in me being upset,
0:42:47 > 0:42:49all the time, every time I see him
0:42:49 > 0:42:51and worrying about it.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Because at the end of the day, it's going to do him no good.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57You know, I don't want him to think that I'm at home crying
0:42:57 > 0:42:58and upset all the time,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00because I know where he is.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04I mean, it will upset me when he does go,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07but I'm not going to show him that it upsets me, you know?
0:43:07 > 0:43:10I want him to know that I'm as strong as he is.
0:43:14 > 0:43:1722 weeks in, the recruits are about to begin
0:43:17 > 0:43:19their most important training exercise.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24Bringing together everything they've been taught for the last six months,
0:43:24 > 0:43:27it's the first time they'll be using live ammunition
0:43:27 > 0:43:29in a battlefield scenario.
0:43:31 > 0:43:36Come on then. Somebody get around here.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40This is a combination of everything you've been taught. All right?
0:43:40 > 0:43:44So work your hardest, fucking beast yourself,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47and let's make it a good attack. All right, guys?
0:43:47 > 0:43:49- Yes, sir.- OK. Happy days.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Darren's been one of the stand-out recruits on the course
0:43:52 > 0:43:57and has been given a special role to play in the attack -
0:43:57 > 0:43:58the second in command.
0:43:58 > 0:44:03It means I get my own fire team to play about with.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05Yeah, do stuff for the section as well,
0:44:05 > 0:44:07if they need anything doing, I'll do it.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11It's basically like a section commander job when he's not around.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Basically, looking after the boys and stuff like that.
0:44:14 > 0:44:19It's a hard job, but I love it, I love doing it.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24I smell like a horse now!
0:44:26 > 0:44:27Ready?
0:44:33 > 0:44:36Taylor, are you there?
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- Can you hear me on that?- Yeah, I can.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45As the recruits make their way to attack the enemy,
0:44:45 > 0:44:49on the high ground, another section will give them covering fire.
0:44:49 > 0:44:5212 o'clock in full line, approximately 100 metres,
0:44:53 > 0:44:56you'll see a dark green and black wooden bunker.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58When I give you the go-ahead to fire,
0:44:58 > 0:45:00that's where the enemy'll be.
0:45:00 > 0:45:01Go on!
0:45:01 > 0:45:03GUNFIRE
0:45:09 > 0:45:10Let's go.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15But with live ammo in use,
0:45:15 > 0:45:18one wrong move by the recruits could be fatal.
0:45:18 > 0:45:19Get down, get down!
0:45:24 > 0:45:26Darren needs to get his men into firing range
0:45:26 > 0:45:28so they can engage the enemy.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32We'll push through in 1 Section.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35We'll push past 1 Section and we'll be assaulting now.
0:45:35 > 0:45:39Roger, they can get the message? Forti, has he got the message?
0:45:39 > 0:45:41Keep down, let's go!
0:45:41 > 0:45:43Go on, start doubling!
0:45:44 > 0:45:48Weapons up in the air, boys, weapons up in the air. Into the gully.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51Get in, push in, push in!
0:45:51 > 0:45:55- Get in.- 100 metres in!
0:45:55 > 0:45:57Enemy! Rapid!
0:45:57 > 0:45:59Fire!
0:46:01 > 0:46:03Come on, get some rounds down!
0:46:06 > 0:46:08Stop!
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Man down!
0:46:14 > 0:46:15Get his kit, get his kit!
0:46:16 > 0:46:18This casualty is a simulation
0:46:18 > 0:46:22to teach them how to evacuate their men from the battlefield.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25Think about what you're doing! What's his injuries?
0:46:25 > 0:46:30He's got two lower leg injuries! Think about what we're going to do.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34Calm down, relax. Somebody reassure him, somebody talk to him.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36Tony, can you hear me? All right?
0:46:36 > 0:46:40Don't worry, we'll get you out of here. Everything's fine.
0:46:40 > 0:46:41MAN SCREAMS Let's go!
0:46:41 > 0:46:44In less than six months' time,
0:46:44 > 0:46:46the recruits could be facing this for real.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Push it out, push it out. Come on! Nearly there.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53- Down! Put him down, put him down. Gently.- Well done, lads.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Yeah, we've come into it and I think everybody's done...
0:46:58 > 0:47:01I think my section's done really well, um...
0:47:01 > 0:47:05just going through in it, and rates of fire and things like that,
0:47:05 > 0:47:07it's, yeah, it's really good.
0:47:07 > 0:47:11I love being 2IC, I think it's probably one of the best,
0:47:11 > 0:47:14best jobs in the section, at the minute.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16So, I'm enjoying it.
0:47:21 > 0:47:2726 weeks ago, 28 recruits began their basic training.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35Six gruelling months later,
0:47:35 > 0:47:38with almost a third of the recruits quitting,
0:47:38 > 0:47:40Darren Meads and Andrew Forti
0:47:40 > 0:47:43are preparing for their passing out ceremony and graduation
0:47:43 > 0:47:45as professional soldiers.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48I just can't believe how quick it's come by.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51When we was on week three or four I didn't think it would come.
0:47:51 > 0:47:52And now we're passing out.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57It's the only thing I've ever done well at.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00It's the only thing I've ever succeeded in.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02Everything else, I've failed miserably.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08One of those to quit was 20-year-old Ashley Cavanagh,
0:48:08 > 0:48:12who couldn't stay the course and is now back on Civvy Street.
0:48:12 > 0:48:17I don't get up at half past four any more! Which is a bonus.
0:48:17 > 0:48:23But the excitement in my day-to-day life is pretty much nil.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27So... Yeah, that's a bit pants.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32His dad's used his contacts
0:48:32 > 0:48:35and got him a job working as a service adviser
0:48:35 > 0:48:37in a car showroom.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41When you're a civilian, you just have this set life,
0:48:41 > 0:48:43you just go to work, you do this, you go home,
0:48:43 > 0:48:45maybe you go to the cinema or do that...
0:48:45 > 0:48:49You're just doing it constantly, it's just a routine, isn't it?
0:48:49 > 0:48:53And it's boring and shite, and you do the same thing every day.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00It's not the job I don't like, because the job's good,
0:49:00 > 0:49:03but I just hate being home, I just hate being here,
0:49:03 > 0:49:05and I'm wishing I'd listened to Corporal Stewart,
0:49:05 > 0:49:07because he was so right.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10He said to me before the day I leave,
0:49:10 > 0:49:12he said, "I'm a good judge of character,
0:49:12 > 0:49:14"and I promise you you'll miss it."
0:49:14 > 0:49:21He said, "Cavanagh, I promise you you'll miss it." He was so right.
0:49:21 > 0:49:22And I've got to be here every day.
0:49:36 > 0:49:37Instead of doing something
0:49:37 > 0:49:39that I actually wanted to do with my life.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43HE COUGHS
0:49:51 > 0:49:53Done.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20We've been waiting a long time
0:50:20 > 0:50:22and it feels like it's been a long time coming,
0:50:22 > 0:50:23but it's here. Like, "Yes!"
0:50:26 > 0:50:30And to Darren's surprise, his dad's turned up to show his support.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32God, I can't wait.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36Just get it over and done with. Nervous though.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38Hmm.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43I've told my mum I'm in the back row, fourth man.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45But she'll probably go from the other end,
0:50:45 > 0:50:47and get it all wrong.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50I can imagine he's well excited down there.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53He can't wait to get down here and see everybody
0:50:53 > 0:50:55and see his little man. Eh?
0:50:55 > 0:50:58- Are you looking forward to seeing your daddy today?- Yeah.
0:50:58 > 0:51:00- Are you going to wave to him?- Yeah.
0:51:00 > 0:51:04- Will you shout, "Wa-ay! Dad!" - Yeah.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11MARCHING BAND PLAY
0:51:38 > 0:51:40Halt!
0:51:50 > 0:51:53Stand easy!
0:51:54 > 0:51:58As is tradition, the recruits' final inspection
0:51:58 > 0:52:01will be made by the regiment's top commanding officers,
0:52:01 > 0:52:03who will welcome them into the British Army
0:52:03 > 0:52:05as professional infantrymen.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Congratulations for passing out.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10I'm very much looking forward to having you in the turn out.
0:52:10 > 0:52:11I'll see you again.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13Well done.
0:52:13 > 0:52:14OK, are you married?
0:52:14 > 0:52:15I'm separated, Sir.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17- OK, children?- One child, Sir.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20And, seeing the child no problem?
0:52:20 > 0:52:22- Yeah, he's here now, Sir. - Is he?- Yes, Sir.- OK.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24So he'll be proud of his dad.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27- Hello, there.- Sir, I'm Rifleman Meads, joining 1 Rifles, Sir.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30- You are, Rifleman Meads, congratulations to you.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33- Thank you, Sir.- Did you volunteer for 1 Rifles?- It was on the list, Sir.
0:52:33 > 0:52:37- On the list.- Not at the top, Sir. - Not at the top, that's interesting.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40- You'll have to change your mindset on that one.- Yes, Sir.- Good.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43- And, well, you know our timelines. - Yes, Sir.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46There's a bit of quick movement for Afghan tour for you,
0:52:46 > 0:52:48- which will be great. - Very good to start, Sir.
0:52:48 > 0:52:52Well, that's tremendous, we've got a fantastic job out there
0:52:52 > 0:52:54and you are joining right at the right time,
0:52:54 > 0:52:58- and the thing is buzzing, so you are joining a good unit.- Yes, Sir.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01Congratulations to you. OK.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03- Are your parents here today? - They are, Sir.- Good.
0:53:03 > 0:53:07They should be rightfully proud, congratulations on passing out.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10What you've learned over this last 24 weeks
0:53:10 > 0:53:13will absolutely give you all of the tools you need
0:53:13 > 0:53:15to conduct exemplary service
0:53:15 > 0:53:18when you join your battalions shortly.
0:53:18 > 0:53:24If I may, but just say thank you to the friends and the families
0:53:24 > 0:53:28who provide so much support for these young riflemen and soldiers
0:53:28 > 0:53:32who are just about to join their battalions.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35Some of you will be joining the 1st Battalion the Rifles,
0:53:35 > 0:53:37my battalion, down in Chepstow,
0:53:37 > 0:53:40as we spin out for operations in Afghanistan.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44And to each and every one of you,
0:53:44 > 0:53:46I would like to offer you the very best of luck.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48BAND PLAYS
0:54:35 > 0:54:38Hello. I was so proud of you!
0:54:38 > 0:54:40- Did I look good? - Oh, you did!
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Yeah, apart from that silly little jog at the end.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46- You've got a mark round your head. - Don't put it on your head.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48- I don't intend to. Well done. - Hi. Hiya, Dad.
0:54:48 > 0:54:52Hiya. Proud of you son. Brilliant.
0:54:56 > 0:55:01- Dad!- How are you doing? You OK? Yeah.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03Daddy's missed you!
0:55:03 > 0:55:07Daddy's missed you. Can I have a kiss?
0:55:07 > 0:55:09Did you like that?
0:55:24 > 0:55:27Oh, I'm really pleased to meet you, actually.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29- Yes, and you.- Yeah.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34I am so pleased that they're together now, I really am.
0:55:34 > 0:55:39I can't get over how close they've got, and how good friends they are.
0:55:39 > 0:55:42He said they didn't really want to go there, the pair of them.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44- No.- And he said, "I don't care," he said,
0:55:44 > 0:55:47"as long as I'm with Meads," he goes, "that's it."
0:55:47 > 0:55:51"He's my mate, we'll go there, we'll do it all together."
0:55:51 > 0:55:55I think when he does go, that will probably the hardest part.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58- But I just can't think about it, personally!- I know!
0:55:58 > 0:56:01- I know! It's actually really scary, isn't it?- It is.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04- Well, we must exchange numbers. - Keep in touch.
0:56:04 > 0:56:06Yeah, we'll keep in touch.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09- Me and Andrew will be together for the rest of our lives.- Exactly!
0:56:11 > 0:56:14- Let's do this.- Let's do this. - Let's do this.- Let's do this!
0:56:14 > 0:56:16- Take care.- Take care.
0:56:16 > 0:56:17- And you.- See you.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20Let's do this, come on!
0:56:20 > 0:56:22My mum, my dad and my girlfriend
0:56:22 > 0:56:26have been telling me how proud they are and things, but...
0:56:26 > 0:56:30they don't realise yet that it's only just started.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32EXPLOSION
0:56:32 > 0:56:35GUNFIRE
0:56:35 > 0:56:38How do you explain things like that to a three-year-old?
0:56:38 > 0:56:43- You all be good out there. Come back alive.- To the lads!- To the lads!
0:56:43 > 0:56:46I know for a fact when I get there, every fucker's going to kill me.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48I can't help it, I'm sorry.
0:56:52 > 0:56:56Number two. Start getting your kit on, fellas.
0:56:57 > 0:56:59Tour starts now.
0:57:14 > 0:57:18Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd