0:00:02 > 0:00:06This programme contains strong language.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09It'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! - THEY ALL SHOUT
0:00:22 > 0:00:23Stop being weak!
0:00:23 > 0:00:26And 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 > 0:00:34When you go in, you will go. EXPLOSION
0:00:38 > 0:00:42This series tells the story of four young men
0:00:42 > 0:00:46on their journey from civvies to soldiers.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49It's got 30-bastard-odd pence in!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Beginning on their very first day as new recruits...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Left turn!
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- You got it wrong! - ..through to front-line combat in Helmand.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Jump up!
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Jesus Christ!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Stand to! Stand to!
0:01:20 > 0:01:24With the demands of army life proving too much for some,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27two of the original four recruits
0:01:27 > 0:01:29have now made it through infantry training.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- Congratulations to you. - Darren Meads was living with his mum and signing on the dole
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- before he signed up. - I was so proud of you!
0:01:39 > 0:01:40- Did I look good?- Yeah, you did.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45I wouldn't really be doing anything. Just being a bum, really.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- Hello!- And Andrew Forti was a struggling tiler
0:01:49 > 0:01:51trying to support his three-year-old son.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Daddy's missed you! He doesn't understand what war is.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58How do you explain a thing like that to a three-year-old?
0:01:58 > 0:02:02If they thought basic training was tough, then they're in for a shock...
0:02:02 > 0:02:05EXPLOSION
0:02:05 > 0:02:07GUNFIRE
0:02:08 > 0:02:11..as the reality of being a professional soldier
0:02:11 > 0:02:12starts to sink in...
0:02:12 > 0:02:18- Make sure you're not coming down with any foot rot.- Broken, really. Shattered. Proper snapped.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Helmet cover large.- Yeah.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24..and the countdown to Afghanistan begins.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Just makes you want to leave the army.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Two weeks ago, Darren Meads completed his infantry training
0:02:46 > 0:02:49and is now a qualified British soldier.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51He passed out with flying colours
0:02:51 > 0:02:53and is getting ready to join his new battalion.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59I've always wanted to join the army since I were at school.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03That's the only thing I've ever done well at, is being in the army.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07When I get to battalion
0:03:07 > 0:03:12and we start playing with the big boys, then you're going to start thinking twice.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Am I ready for that?
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- Here it is.- Darren's fellow recruit, Andrew Forti,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24has also just graduated as an infantry soldier.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27It's just starting all over again.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Obviously we're new, we haven't been on tour.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33The NCOs tell you to keep your head down,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36and just keep your mouth shut and listen in, things like that.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45They're both heading to Chepstow on the Welsh border,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47home to First Battalion The Rifles.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- How do you spell your name? - F-O-R-T-I.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- What's your number, buddy? - Er, it's 2522.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03For the next four years, when they're not away fighting wars,
0:04:03 > 0:04:08they'll both be calling these ten-by-ten cubicles home.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11You only sleep in here, don't you?
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Darren and Andrew have both been assigned to A Company,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and will be under the command of Major Carl Boswell,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21also known as Chuckles.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25This is the best job in the world. I'm here with 110 warriors
0:04:25 > 0:04:29all ready to go to Afghanistan, all seeking the same goal,
0:04:29 > 0:04:31all wanting to do the same thing,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and we will get there, and we will get there as a trained force.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Chuckles has 110 men under his command
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and has just five months to whip them into shape
0:04:44 > 0:04:47and make sure they're fighting fit and ready for combat.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Tell me a little bit about you.
0:04:49 > 0:04:55Um, I'm from Northampton, 26, married but separated.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Got a little boy, he's three, um...
0:04:59 > 0:05:01What did you do before the army?
0:05:01 > 0:05:04A self employed tiler. Done that for eight years.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- So you're qualified?- Yeah, yeah.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09And go back to the family. So parents?
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Dad died when I was younger, so I didn't really get to know him, but I lived with my mum.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- Essentially you're on a fairly fast learning curve from here, compared to previously.- Yeah.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22So tomorrow's going to be a baptism under fire, essentially.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27- You'll start picking it up right from the word go.- Brilliant.- I'll catch up with you more in there.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29There can be no...no short cut.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34You must do everything you possibly can before we get out to theatre.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38You do not want to be learning significant amounts in theatre.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Scrub weapons. You won't be able to fire your weapon when it's dirty,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51so you've got to be able to clean it.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Having spent the last six months surrounded by other new recruits,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Darren and Andrew are now lining up with veterans
0:06:14 > 0:06:17of recent combat campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24And, as newly qualified soldiers, they've got some catching up to do.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30It's going to be five miles this time and we've got added on kit.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33They'll have to get their fitness up to scratch...
0:06:35 > 0:06:39..as they'll be fighting in conditions of over 50 degrees
0:06:39 > 0:06:42and carrying kit of up to 30 kilos.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47Go! Stop using your fucking feet!
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Target!
0:06:54 > 0:06:56And out in the relentless dust of the Afghan desert
0:06:56 > 0:07:01they'll have to learn how to maintain their most important piece of kit.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Something Darren is having a spot of bother with.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11You're wasting time, look, get some fucking...
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Get some fucking swash pot on it, and some oil.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17That's what you need, all boils down to oil.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Fuck me!
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Fucking tickling them, that's what half of you are doing!
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Go in there, get some fucking oil, yeah, and flannelette.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I'll fucking say it for the millionth time.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Go and get some oil and flannelette. I've told you how to clean it, do it.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37So we'll just pour oil on it?
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Fucking awesome. Take it with you. Oi! Take it with you, actually.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48One week into their new battalion life,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Darren and Andrew, both top recruits in basic training,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55are finding it tough being the new boys on base.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00I think you've got to do a year before you're not known as a new lad - once you go up a pay band.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Once we get back from this tour, mate, easy as fuck.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Nobody will bother us or nothing.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Yeah.- Just smash them if they call you a new boy.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Shit, isn't it?- Yep.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Right, we'd better go, mate.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Darren and Andrew have to get to grips with the biggest threat
0:08:29 > 0:08:32to an infantry soldier in Afghanistan -
0:08:32 > 0:08:35the improvised explosive device, or IED.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Right, gents. Keep the noise down. Get your pens out.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46OK? What we're going to cover today is the IED threats, types of IED you're going to face.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49OK, types of IEDs.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53What types of IEDs have we got? Who can give me one? Don't shout out.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58'Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02'have accounted for at least three quarters of the deaths this year.'
0:09:02 > 0:09:05One from the Second Battalion the Rifles was caught in a blast
0:09:05 > 0:09:08on a foot patrol in Helmand Province this afternoon.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12As the Rifles is an infantry regiment within the British Army,
0:09:12 > 0:09:17their solders fight on foot, engaging the enemy face to face...
0:09:17 > 0:09:19GUNFIRE
0:09:19 > 0:09:23..leaving them far more exposed to the deadly threat of IEDs.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27'Six more servicemen killed in Afghanistan in less than a week.'
0:09:27 > 0:09:31And since 2006 over 100 British soldiers have been killed
0:09:31 > 0:09:36by these devices, with hundreds more seriously injured.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38For every British soldier killed on the battlefield,
0:09:38 > 0:09:40four have been wounded.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42The loss of life is intense.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Ones they're bringing out now that you have to think about,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51they're bringing out ones that are initiated by light.
0:09:51 > 0:09:57So if you go into Para strike op, go into a compound, go into a room,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00you shine your torch on it, and then this device will go off.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Check fire!
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Company commander Major Boswell
0:10:21 > 0:10:24will be leading his men on foot patrol in Afghanistan,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27making their presence felt with the local communities
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and trying to engage the Taliban and drive them out of the country.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36But operating on foot patrol in areas littered with IEDs
0:10:36 > 0:10:39is a dangerous game.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41METAL DETECTOR BEEPS
0:10:46 > 0:10:48This is all about getting it right from the start,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52so any lapse in concentration, any lapse in their basic skills and standards
0:10:52 > 0:10:57on the execution element of the patrol must be stamped on here,
0:10:57 > 0:11:01else it will just cascade and become a big problem when it comes to the point.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09There are strict rules in place on how the soldiers are to patrol,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11and Major Boswell, or Chuckles,
0:11:11 > 0:11:16isn't entirely happy with the way some of his men are conducting their drills.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Who covers tail-end Charlie?- Um...
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Tail-end, sir?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- You.- Oh, yeah, me, sir, yeah.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Now that's all around from where you are, five metres.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- Sir.- Don't be idle on the field.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Sir.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- You should be doing left and right, then move on. - Left and right, yes, sir.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- Roger. And you're not doing that? - Well, we've been taught to put one there and one there.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Oh, no, bollocks. - So, we actually change it, sir?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Can it, yeah, absolutely.- Yes, sir.
0:11:49 > 0:11:55It's all about doing the basics well. The gradual understanding of where people are within the patrol,
0:11:55 > 0:11:56where they sit within a patrol.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00This is all just getting us to where we need to be.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07When Chuckles heads off for Afghanistan in four months' time...
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Guys, tea's ready. Come on, Hector.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15..he'll be leaving behind his wife, Polly, and two young children, Hector and Nancy.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19They're also preparing for what lies ahead.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Chuckles is a bit of a fitness guru,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23he rather likes his walking and running,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26and for, I think, our first date, he took me up the Mourns,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29which was like a four-hour step aerobics class.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31And it was some sort of test!
0:12:31 > 0:12:34But, yes, so that's where we met, in Northern Ireland.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Polly never knew Chuckles before he was in the army
0:12:39 > 0:12:41and, having been married now for seven years,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44she always knew the kind of life she was signing up for.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47The bottom line is they're all looking forward to going,
0:12:47 > 0:12:53and there's no getting... I think that probably could become quite irritating,
0:12:53 > 0:12:58in a way, in the fact that there's a lot of talk about them going,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01but not so much talk about us staying.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05You know, what if something was to happen?
0:13:05 > 0:13:08I don't want to talk too loudly cos he's here.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Are you all right? - Mummy, can I have a chocolate?
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Yes, go on, then, get it out the soldier.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20This will be the second time Chuckles has gone to war.
0:13:20 > 0:13:26This here, that's Chuckles when he was in Iraq, on his last tour.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30And this is a great friend of ours, Mark Hale,
0:13:30 > 0:13:35who was tragically killed in Afghanistan last August, so a year ago.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40When friends of yours start dying,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43that's when you think, that's pretty close to home.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46You know, no-one's untouchable.
0:13:47 > 0:13:54If worrying 24/7 was going to help, I would do it,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58but it's not, anybody, so I don't.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02I just get on, and get on day-to-day,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05and hopefully they'll be in one piece when they get back.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Cos that's all he wants, and that's all I want, so...
0:14:10 > 0:14:12..there we go.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28The battalion are on a live firing exercise.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36Darren and Andrew have been patrolling for the last four days,
0:14:36 > 0:14:40a role they'll both be doing once on the ground in Afghanistan.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45They've been deprived of sleep and restricted to rations
0:14:45 > 0:14:47to prepare them for what lies ahead.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Everything we're doing here is...
0:14:52 > 0:14:54is what we're going to be doing when we're out on tour.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Obviously, it won't look like this,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59but it gives you an idea and it's preparing you for it,
0:14:59 > 0:15:02so you know what to expect when you're out there.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06So yeah, it's good exercise. I enjoy it, you know?
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Obviously I don't like having no sleep, but that's just part of your job.
0:15:13 > 0:15:19But Darren, a long way from the excitement of firing live ammo, is less impressed.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21We've been here, like, three days
0:15:21 > 0:15:25and we haven't actually found anybody or had any dramas.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28So it's just been the same routine for three days.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Come on here, stand here for four hours,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35and then we go back in there and go to sleep for four hours,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37back out here for four hours.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40We've not fired one round since we've been here.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42It's a fucking shite time.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Cold, hungry and exhausted,
0:15:45 > 0:15:51it's a far cry from his hopes and dreams of day one basic training.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57I've always had a passion for the Army,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59being in the Army has been my major passion.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Go on, start doubling!
0:16:05 > 0:16:09I think it's just the adrenaline that every soldier likes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I'm doing something good with my life,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15rather than sitting at home, being on the dole, or whatever.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18It's a good life.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24For Darren, the stark reality of soldiering
0:16:24 > 0:16:26is not living up to his expectations.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31That's what we're looking for, making sure things like that don't get infected.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35So get those Brillo pads the old ladies get in the bath, start filing it down.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40It sounds a bit gay, but you don't want a fucking... your feet taking a different shape.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43I'm making sure they're administrating their feet
0:16:43 > 0:16:45cos, if they've been wet for the last few days,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48make sure they're not coming down with foot rot,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50make sure they're changing their socks,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54if there's any blisters that have got infected, so the fucking...
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Our feet are our life.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Fucking hard work, mate, I'll tell you that.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20The battalion have been given some well-earned leave
0:17:20 > 0:17:26and, back home in Doncaster, Darren is taking a break from his soldiering duties.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29GUNSHOTS RING
0:17:30 > 0:17:33COMPUTER GAME BLARES
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Darren's already been to Afghanistan
0:17:37 > 0:17:41when he was a reserve soldier with the Territorial Army.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46But his mum Angela still finds it hard to accept his choice of career.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48What the fuck?
0:17:48 > 0:17:52He's not bothered about it, is he? He doesn't seem fazed by it at all.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55As far as he's concerned, this is what he's been trained for,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59this is what he knew he was going to do, this is what he wanted to do.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Crazy, isn't he? Crazy lad. Crazy, crazy lad.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09When he went last time, he actually was in a fairly safe area.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12This time he's going right into harm,
0:18:12 > 0:18:17and he's going right into the nasty area, I keep calling it,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21so, no, I think it's going to be worse.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28Shall we go to the park?
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Andrew Forti is back home in Daventry.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Oi! He never listens.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Kian, wait for me please.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43He lost his own dad when he was a young boy.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45There's loads of ducks, Kian.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Go on, chuck some in, then.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58When I was about five or six, something like that,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00so I didn't really get to know him that well,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I didn't have much memory.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05But I don't want, obviously, Kian going through the same,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07cos he's four at the minute.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10And if I haven't got much memory from when I was six,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13then obviously he ain't going to when he's older
0:19:13 > 0:19:14from, you know, his age now.
0:19:14 > 0:19:20But, yeah, I don't want him to go through the same thing I did, definitely. Yeah.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Say, "Bye, swan, see you next time!"
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Bye, swan!
0:19:27 > 0:19:30I think he has more to lose, doesn't he,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32really, at the end of the day?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I know everybody has family,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36but I think when you have a child,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38you know, you're going to feel different,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41and you're going to want to do things different.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Right, that's it. You can't go no further.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48Hopefully he'll always think twice about whatever he does.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51You know, before he does it.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54And, comes back safe, really.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Not just for me, but for his son, you know?
0:20:03 > 0:20:05SHE SNIFFS
0:20:06 > 0:20:10It's just so horrible to lose somebody, you know, in your life.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16It's just something I don't ever want to go through again.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24For now, though, thoughts of impending deployment are on hold,
0:20:24 > 0:20:29as Darren's preparing for best-man duties for his oldest school friend.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34We had to move the wedding forward cos I'm having no-one else as my best man.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Daz is my best man, he's going to Afghan in March,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40and then I'm going to Afghan in September,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43so we had to, like, arrange it around people,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47make sure Dave was on leave, Daz was on leave, Marty was back from Afghan.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- Oh, God, you look handsome, all of you.- We know!
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Right, right, let's do it, then, let's go.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59As well as Darren, Sherry's two ushers
0:20:59 > 0:21:01are also old school friends from Doncaster,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03and serving British soldiers.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05You'll be fine, mate.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11MUSIC: "Bridal Chorus" by Wagner
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I, Stephen Andrew,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- take you, Sarah Michelle... - To be my wife.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32..to be my wife.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40APPLAUSE
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Now, ladies and gentlemen, the best man, Darren.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Well, I'm not going to get all soppy,
0:21:51 > 0:21:56but I've been mates with Sherry for, what is it now, 20...?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- 20 years.- 20 years.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01And we spent probably every day together when we was growing up.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05I couldn't ask for a better friend, I really can't.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09This is probably going to be the last time all the lads are together
0:22:09 > 0:22:11in the same room for a long time, like a year,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14cos I deploy to Afghanistan in March,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17as soon as I get back Stephen goes out for six months,
0:22:17 > 0:22:22so it's probably going to be the last time we'll see each other, like together, in the same room.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28I wish him luck when he goes to Afghan, obviously the same with me.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36I'm just going to miss, you know, being with the lads a lot,
0:22:36 > 0:22:41so here's a toast to the best friend anybody in this world could ever ask for.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45To Stephen and Sarah, as well.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- GUESTS:- Steven and Sarah.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Cheers!
0:22:49 > 0:22:51It's getting emotional in here!
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Jesus!
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Well done, son.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58APPLAUSE
0:23:07 > 0:23:10There was a lot more I was going to say. But I just,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14I don't know, I just stopped before I started crying.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Before my emotions got the better of me.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23For Angela, seeing Darren and Sherry together for the last time
0:23:23 > 0:23:28is a stark reminder that his deployment is drawing ever closer.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I've known this has been coming all over Christmas.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Do you know what I mean?
0:23:33 > 0:23:35It is...
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Oh!
0:23:39 > 0:23:44It's ace when they're all together. I mean, they'll get on with it,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46they'll shrug it off, they'll get on with it,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49but the family's the thing that keeps them together,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52the family's the one that's going to keep them focused.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Getting back to their family, back to their lives,
0:23:55 > 0:23:59getting back to the...the people that they're leaving behind, so it's...
0:24:00 > 0:24:03We've not spoke about March at all, coming up,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06and I do know he's got a bit of leave before he goes.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09We keep saying...
0:24:09 > 0:24:13He'll say things like, "When I come back," do you know what I mean?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16"We'll do this when I come back," and I just think,
0:24:16 > 0:24:21OK, he's confident that he's coming back, and I'm thinking, yeah, as long as he does.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I keep saying to him, "Keep your head down," like I did last time,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27"Just keep your head down, and come back to me in one piece.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32"With every bit. With all your arms, with all your legs, with all your fingers, with everything,
0:24:32 > 0:24:34"and your mind still intact."
0:24:34 > 0:24:38That's all you want. That's all you want.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50Back at Beachley Barracks,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54company commander Chuckles is ramping up the training.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59You're required to search your compound.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Ladder men up!
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Remember to check for trip wires.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Room clear!
0:25:10 > 0:25:13They've just gone through primary education.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15They're now moving on to secondary education,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18and when we get out there they're at the university of hard knocks.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21They've got the basic skill set.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23They can absolutely read and write, or in this case
0:25:23 > 0:25:27carry a weapon and carry their kit, and get from A to B.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31The next stage of this is making sure that they can understand
0:25:31 > 0:25:35the reasons we are out there, how we are able to conduct our business
0:25:35 > 0:25:41and understand...the people, the Afghan population.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49The battalion are moving to a multi-million-pound training area in Norfolk,
0:25:49 > 0:25:54where a small part of Afghanistan has been brought to the English countryside.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58This mocked-up village has been populated by Afghan nationals,
0:25:58 > 0:26:03in an effort to create the most realistic training conditions.
0:26:06 > 0:26:12This isn't all about the hard and heavy stuff, this is about trying to engage with people.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15But always, in the back of your mind, you've got
0:26:15 > 0:26:19your drills ready, and you're ready to go ahead if you're surprised.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- Good to see you again. - As-Salamu Alaykum.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Chuckles is taking part in a simulated Shura, a meeting with
0:26:31 > 0:26:36the village elders, which will be part of his day job in Afghanistan.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Yeah, my name is Major Carl.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39HE TRANSLATES
0:26:39 > 0:26:42I come from a beautiful country called England.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50So I hope very much that we can assist with the development
0:26:50 > 0:26:53to make sure that the security stays stable.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00He says 90% of the villagers have contact with us, the farmers
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and the shopkeepers, and the local people who are living here,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06they have good communication with us.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13But, as well as learning how to interact with the local villagers,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16the soldiers have to be trained for when things go wrong.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24BOMB BLAST SOUNDS
0:27:35 > 0:27:39The suicide bomb is a simulation, using a real-life amputee.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47He's got gunshot...gunshot wounds to his chest.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49He needs to be put into there.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54If this had been on the battlefield then the battalion would now be dealing with four casualties.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57OK, OK. Get him down that alleyway. Get him down that alleyway.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04In less than ten weeks, simulations like this will be over.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08He's not breathing! He's not breathing!
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And Darren will be facing the enemy for real.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Get him in, guys.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Where's his helmet?
0:28:18 > 0:28:21At times you just think, "Why am I here?" But other times
0:28:21 > 0:28:24you think, "Yeah, this is not bad training."
0:28:24 > 0:28:26So it's good.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29But no, I don't think it's...
0:28:29 > 0:28:32I don't know, it'll be a lot different out there,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34compared to training.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46These get filthy after exercise.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50But you have to leave them a couple of days just to dry out.
0:28:50 > 0:28:55Back in Chepstow, and with just over a month before he leaves for war,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Andrew still hasn't told his son.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Yeah, I suppose I need to have a chat with him about it, but he's not going
0:29:04 > 0:29:08to understand, cos he doesn't understand how long six months is.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13And I don't know sometimes if that's a good thing or not.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20When Andrew first joined the army, time away from home was a sacrifice worth making.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25I wasn't getting anywhere on Civvy Street anyway.
0:29:25 > 0:29:31Work dried up, and it just, you know, it's a good career, and it'll help him out in the long run.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Get him into private school and get him a good start in life.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Hopefully!
0:29:39 > 0:29:41He thinks I've just abandoned him.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44But because he's three he doesn't really understand it.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48He says, "Why, why does my daddy want to be a soldier and not my daddy?"
0:29:55 > 0:29:58But now, with Afghanistan just a few weeks away,
0:29:58 > 0:30:03he doesn't know how to tell his son he's going away for six months.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06He doesn't understand what war is, and people...
0:30:06 > 0:30:09He understands, he's like, my dad is a soldier,
0:30:09 > 0:30:15because he's going to shoot people, but that's just because of games, like, computer games and TV
0:30:15 > 0:30:18and things like that, but he doesn't, he doesn't believe...
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Obviously he doesn't think any of it's really.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24How do you explain things like that to a three-year-old?
0:30:27 > 0:30:31To try and make his absence easier, Andrew's going to record himself
0:30:31 > 0:30:36reading a bedtime story for his son Kian to listen to whilst he's away.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Gruffalo is easy, we'll go...
0:30:38 > 0:30:41He's got this, he's got a book of this at home, and he does like it
0:30:41 > 0:30:44because it has, like, little bits that you touch at the side.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46I would probably go with that one.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51- Maybe go with The Gruffalo because he also knows what it is. - Yeah. Yeah, go for that then.- Yeah?
0:30:54 > 0:30:59Hello, Kian. It's Daddy here. I hope you are going to enjoy this story.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02It's called The Gruffalo.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05So here we go.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08'A mouse took a stroll through the deep, dark wood.
0:31:08 > 0:31:13'A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17'"Where are you going to, little brown mouse?
0:31:17 > 0:31:19'"Come and have lunch in my underground house."
0:31:21 > 0:31:26'All was quiet in the deep, dark wood,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29'the mouse found a nut and the nut was good.'
0:31:29 > 0:31:35And that's the end. Um, looking forward to seeing you again soon, Kian. Love you lots, Daddy.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49When First Battalion the Rifles first deployed
0:31:49 > 0:31:54to Afghanistan three years ago, eight soldiers were killed in action.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00So the battalion need to make sure the troops are prepared for the worst.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Guys, if you do listen in, this is very important to you.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09This is...these are the building blocks that are going to help us to help you and your families,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12if, for example, three o'clock in the morning,
0:32:12 > 0:32:17when we get notified that something has happened to you, we are going to get straight onto the truth machine,
0:32:17 > 0:32:21and then we are going to put in place what you told us to do.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Who am I going to tell first?
0:32:23 > 0:32:29Because it might be that your next of kin is an old and frail mum or dad, or a very heavily
0:32:29 > 0:32:35pregnant spouse, and somebody whom it would not be a good idea if we knocked on their door first.
0:32:35 > 0:32:41Properly think about who you should put on there as your next of kin.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Right, fellas, guys who've just tipped up, right?
0:32:47 > 0:32:52The whole essence of this, if there's a hoo-ha in theatre, right, and we need to get a picture
0:32:52 > 0:32:54of you for any reason whatsoever, right,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57and there's a clerk on duty who doesn't know who you are, it means
0:32:57 > 0:33:02we can go through the photograph files, look for A Company, and we can get the nice one next to it.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04All right? Everybody happy with that?
0:33:06 > 0:33:12I can't pass without talking about this subject. And where we do have a fatality in theatre,
0:33:12 > 0:33:16we must be formally identified.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20It might be that when a colleague has been recovered from the battlefield
0:33:20 > 0:33:23he is easily able to be recognised.
0:33:26 > 0:33:31However, if, due to the nature of those injuries, he cannot do that,
0:33:31 > 0:33:35then we have to do it by some other means.
0:33:35 > 0:33:42That's why we ask him to voluntarily give a DNA sample before you go away anywhere.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47Because, whilst we are clear enough to go and knock on your mum's door,
0:33:47 > 0:33:52and say that it's you who's been affected, that is nowhere near good enough for the coroner.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59Mum is already enduring the worst possible day of her life,
0:33:59 > 0:34:05and myself, or a representative from the coroner's office, is going to have to take Mum aside and say,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08"We know that that's Jimmy there,
0:34:08 > 0:34:13"however we're going to have to prove that, and he didn't give us a DNA sample.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17"So please would you mind giving us a DNA sample?"
0:34:27 > 0:34:32But the chances are it won't happen to you, but just if it does, give the sample.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Save your mums from all of that hassle.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41OK.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51But it's not just the soldiers who need to be briefed.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57All across the country, the regiment has invited
0:34:57 > 0:35:01the families of all the troops about to deploy to a briefing.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Welcome to the 1 Rifles family brief.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12At the moment we're due to hand over, or rather take over, from 2 Para,
0:35:12 > 0:35:16Second Battalion the Parachute Regiment, on the 1st May.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Why are we there? Over the last few years, this question has led
0:35:19 > 0:35:23to a lot of debate, within the armed forces and the government.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26The answer is...is two words - national security.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30The UK is part of a 48-nation coalition force
0:35:30 > 0:35:36which is there to stop the spread of international terrorism, Al Qaeda, whoever else it might be,
0:35:36 > 0:35:42using Afghanistan as a safe haven and being able to mount attacks on the UK.
0:35:42 > 0:35:49Unfortunately, on occasion, we will be forced by the insurgent to fight.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54I think it's important here for you to rest assured that that is our core business.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59When it comes to casualties, there is one thing that you must always remember.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02If you hear about an operational death in the media
0:36:02 > 0:36:05and you haven't been told by a notification officer,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09then it will not be your son or daughter that is involved.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12The family are always told first.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18My stomach did drop, actually, at one time.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21You know, I did feel quite sick,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25um, but then it...the more he talked and went through it,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28yeah, I did feel a little bit better.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Yeah, definitely worth coming. Yeah.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41The battalion are about to go on leave.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Helmet cover large?
0:36:43 > 0:36:47- Yeah.- Underwear? Yeah. - One, two, three, four, yeah.
0:36:47 > 0:36:53But, before they do, they'll need to be issued with all the kit they'll need to fight in the desert.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05It's not every day you get to walk into a shop and get all these clothes for free.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Everything's too big at the minute, I've looked up.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13- You'll grow into it. - Pfff! Yeah, they're too big.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15I think I asked for a seven, I did.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Cos we haven't got that size.
0:37:17 > 0:37:23Jesus sandals. When you're in the shower, or something like that, and you're cutting about in them,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26but if you have contact or something you can still run with them on.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32- With the kit all issued... - I'm ready, Sergeant Major.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37..the last thing for Chuckles to do is to inspect his men before he allows them home.
0:37:37 > 0:37:42Yes, it's quite nice to see them before they go, otherwise you don't get them together.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46I'll get them on parade before they fall out, but this is sort of one-to-one time.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51Even if it's ten seconds, it's nice just to be able to see them before they go.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54- How come you haven't shaved this morning?- I have, sir.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- Really?- Yeah, it's just...
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- With what? A fucking mess tin? - You fucking haven't.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Right, so when do you reckon you're going to be fit to fight again?
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Rifleman Royal, this isn't workable.
0:38:06 > 0:38:07How old are the kids?
0:38:07 > 0:38:12I've only got one kid, sir. He's three in April.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Three in April.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- When in April?- Err, 19th.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Same as mine.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20It's a good day. Listen, have a good leave, all right?
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- Thank you very much, sir. - Where are you going for leave?
0:38:23 > 0:38:26- Thailand.- Thailand? - Yes, sir.- Who are you going with?
0:38:26 > 0:38:28- My girlfriend.- Are you?- Yeah.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32- How boring! You're not getting engaged before you go away?- No.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35But she better not see this though!
0:38:35 > 0:38:39- Fiancee now?- Yes, sir. - Outstanding.- Thank you, sir.
0:38:39 > 0:38:40- How's your fitness?- It's improving.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- Improving.- Yes, sir. - Work on it over leave, all right?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45- I will do. - Come back and hit it running.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- Rifleman Mills, are you all right? - Not bad, sir.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Where are you going for leave? - Just going paintballing.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- Are you?- Yeah.- What the hell do you want to go paintballing for?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57My family wanted to see if I can dodge bullets.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- How are you?- Not too bad, thank you, sir.- Where are you going for leave?
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Back to Doncaster, sir.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- Doncaster.- Yes, sir. - What's up in Doncaster?
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- That's where all my family is, sir. - Anything good planned?
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Um, not really, sir, just chilling out.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- Girlfriend?- Yes, sir.- Doncaster?
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- Yes, sir.- Strong. Enjoy.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Rifleman Forti, how the devil?
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Very good, sir, yourself? - Yeah, good, good.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Where are you going for leave?
0:39:26 > 0:39:28- To see my son, sir. Northampton. - Outstanding.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Right-ho. Hey, listen, have a good leave.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Thank you, sir.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Happy days!
0:39:35 > 0:39:40Right then, men. Well done on everything you've done so far.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43We're 85% there, just a little bit left to go.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46So we're going to hone those skills when we get back.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50Now, you'll notice, hopefully, that the pace of life reduces a little bit,
0:39:50 > 0:39:56but that doesn't mean we take our minds off what stands ahead of us in April, all right?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59And a final thing, I say it every time, but discipline.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Keep your fists in your pockets.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04If they start challenging you out there in Civvy Street,
0:40:04 > 0:40:09keep your nose out of the shit and come back without any dramas for me.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13So, well done. Go on leave. See you later.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15- ALL:- Sir.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Well, I'm, yeah...at the minute I'm practically skint now anyway.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56But I'm paying a lot of things off.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Andrew's trying to get his financial affairs in order before he leaves.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02Yeah.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Like all serving soldiers, he needs to ensure himself and his kit,
0:41:06 > 0:41:12and even though he will receive tax benefits on his salary whilst he's away, it's still a stretch.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17Oh, yeah, I've just got my life insurance, that costs £36 a month.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20And then obviously packs insurance as well.
0:41:20 > 0:41:26Well, it's just gone up, because obviously going onto tour, which is obviously...say if you got shot
0:41:26 > 0:41:32you get, you can claim, um... and that's gone up, and that's £80 a month, but that's because of tour.
0:41:32 > 0:41:38Oh, that's what I forgot to say, I put £40 a month into my son's bank as well.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41That's definite, goes through every month.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45I literally got paid three days ago, and I've got, like, £150 left.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50I don't think the money's good enough for...to go into Afghan, I don't think it's nowhere near good enough.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55Especially like the stress it causes, the things that you put up with and the things that you see.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00And then you get footballers out there earning hundreds of thousands to play a football game,
0:42:00 > 0:42:05and then you get people in the army, risking their lives, losing their family,
0:42:05 > 0:42:09you know, and getting paid nothing for it.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Up in Doncaster, Darren's also preparing for his departure.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25The...well, we call them death letters.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Um, basically if, like, I died,
0:42:29 > 0:42:34I've given to certain people, to only give them when I die,
0:42:34 > 0:42:38so it's just basically things that I want to say to them.
0:42:40 > 0:42:45It took me, like, two and a half weeks just to write one letter, and I've written two.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50You just don't know what to say, do you?
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Even though I've, like, been out there and done it,
0:42:56 > 0:43:00I know for a fact when I get there every fucker's going to kill me.
0:43:00 > 0:43:05Everything's an IED. You just do. That's weird.
0:43:05 > 0:43:12That's fucking scary though, that is scary, and like on the day of your first patrol, it's fucking scary.
0:43:16 > 0:43:21Darren's commanding officer, Chuckles, will be leaving behind his young family.
0:43:21 > 0:43:26His wife Polly has learnt from previous tours how best to keep in touch.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Chuckles will phone me up, and he'll say, "So what have you been up to?"
0:43:29 > 0:43:32And I'm like, "Err, err, I went to Tesco's this morning!"
0:43:32 > 0:43:35I just can't think. Your mind goes blank.
0:43:35 > 0:43:40And someone might have had a baby, someone's got married, you went to a, you know, wedding,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43and you can't think of any of that, it just goes completely out of your head,
0:43:43 > 0:43:47so now I have a pad by the phone with kind of key events,
0:43:47 > 0:43:51just so we don't waste 30 minutes talking about
0:43:51 > 0:43:57Hector losing his tie at school, and really mundane, really mundane stuff.
0:43:58 > 0:44:05With the dangers Chuckles will face, they're planning for all eventualities.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07Executors, where's the executors' piece?
0:44:07 > 0:44:12When you do sit down and think a little bit about it, it does,
0:44:12 > 0:44:17you know, you do start realising that, you know, there's a lot of people affected by
0:44:17 > 0:44:23one person being lost, let alone, you know, your own husband, so it...
0:44:23 > 0:44:26You know, it is real, and it may well happen,
0:44:26 > 0:44:30and there's no getting away from that.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32Here I am, sitting here, doing my will,
0:44:32 > 0:44:34doing all sorts of bits and bobs for the tour,
0:44:34 > 0:44:37but I've got to make sure the riflemen are doing that as well.
0:44:37 > 0:44:42Because there are riflemen who are concerned about not coming back, and they'd be lying
0:44:42 > 0:44:46if they said otherwise, and, er... those ones you've got to sort of capture every now and again,
0:44:46 > 0:44:49and get into your office for a private chat.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51If you get your head round it,
0:44:51 > 0:44:56and realise that you're the one who's not affected by not coming home, that it's everyone else,
0:44:56 > 0:45:00then I think you're on a starter for ten at least.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13Having spent two weeks away from the army, and with only days to go until he leaves,
0:45:13 > 0:45:18Andrew has found new love with a girl he met on Facebook.
0:45:18 > 0:45:24You know, we've spent, like, the last couple of weeks together, haven't we? To get to know each other and that.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28- Yeah, we were just, like, we were just texting to begin with, weren't we?- Yeah.
0:45:28 > 0:45:33We were just texting and just asking each other what our interests was and stuff, and then we found out
0:45:33 > 0:45:36- we had loads in common, if not everything in common.- Yeah.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40And then we'd speak on the phone for, like, a hour or two hours, text each other until, like, midnight
0:45:40 > 0:45:44- or one o'clock in the morning. - Yeah.- And then we've only recently met a couple of times.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47- And yeah, we like each other, so... - Yeah.- I'll wait for him.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51Just feels weird, cos obviously it's only four days until I go.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54But it's just bad timing, I suppose.
0:45:54 > 0:45:59Yeah. But then at least I like you enough to wait for you, that's something.
0:46:02 > 0:46:08Andrew's decided to introduce Toni to his family at his farewell party.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10- That's my grandma.- Hello. - Hello.- And grandpa.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13I'm sitting behind you, nice to meet you.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15Hello. How do you do?
0:46:15 > 0:46:22Even though he's met her just a few weeks into going away, I think it'll keep him strong.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24And he'll have somebody,
0:46:24 > 0:46:28you know, to talk to, give a ring to when he needs to.
0:46:28 > 0:46:32You know, I think it's good for him.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34Four years, I'm done.
0:46:34 > 0:46:40By the time I've done the tour, I'll be three and a half, two and a half.
0:46:40 > 0:46:46By the time I've had all my leave, which will be May, then I'll have two years.
0:46:46 > 0:46:51- So that's still long though but not that bad.- Cool.
0:46:51 > 0:46:56- Two years. Can deal with that, can't you?- Yeah.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59Yeah, he says he doesn't want to go!
0:46:59 > 0:47:02I don't want him to go, but obviously that's his job,
0:47:02 > 0:47:05that's what he's trained for, that's what he's got to do.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07I accept that, I understand that,
0:47:07 > 0:47:11and so, yeah, I'm just going to be patient, understanding, write,
0:47:11 > 0:47:15speak when we can, see him when he comes back for his R&R
0:47:15 > 0:47:20so he gets a bit of rest, so he can see his son, he can see me.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24And then four months, and hopefully he comes back in one piece,
0:47:24 > 0:47:28and then hopefully happy ever after, hopefully.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33- All right?- Yeah mate, sound.
0:47:33 > 0:47:34You all right?
0:47:34 > 0:47:36Yeah mate, sound. Bang on.
0:47:36 > 0:47:41On his last night at home, Darren's older brother Lee is throwing him a farewell party.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48Right then, lads.
0:47:48 > 0:47:53Last weekend now for Daz, let's make it a good 'un, let's hope he does well out there,
0:47:53 > 0:47:56comes back alive. He owes me 60 quid, he needs to!
0:47:56 > 0:47:59OK, lads, let's have a good night.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01This is to our Daz.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04- To Daz.- To Daz.- To Daz.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07We don't want him to go, obviously.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10Last time it were a bit more... stepped back a bit,
0:48:10 > 0:48:14he wasn't full throttle on the line. This time he is.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18So, I've talked to Dave, he's told me about... I've never been to Afghanistan,
0:48:18 > 0:48:24I don't know what goes off there. I don't want to know, but I am getting a bit scared of him going.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31Yeah, he invited the boys round for a couple of drinks,
0:48:31 > 0:48:36and it just turns into a full-on party! But, I don't know,
0:48:36 > 0:48:40that's just what it is, that's what your boys are there for, really.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43To have a good time and just enjoy yourself.
0:48:43 > 0:48:48Especially when they're going away, and you may not be seeing them again, but...
0:48:55 > 0:48:57I don't know.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59I just hope he comes back.
0:49:11 > 0:49:16Ever since Polly has known Chuckles, he's been an officer in the army.
0:49:16 > 0:49:21But this will be the first time he's leaving for war since their children were born.
0:49:21 > 0:49:26Well, I think our kids are a bit of a tricky age, because they're neither one thing nor the other,
0:49:26 > 0:49:30you know, they're neither too small that they don't understand at all,
0:49:30 > 0:49:34and they're not old enough necessarily to un...
0:49:34 > 0:49:38They haven't get enough of an idea of time.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40Get set. Oh! You cheeky monkey!
0:49:40 > 0:49:44There's nothing I can do about it, so I've just got to get on with it.
0:49:44 > 0:49:49I mean, I'm going to miss him terribly but that's just the way it is, really.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54Go, catch him!
0:49:54 > 0:49:56- Go on, Nancy!- Go!
0:49:56 > 0:49:59- Yay!- Oh! Good one!- Go, Nancy!
0:50:00 > 0:50:05I think it's going to be amazing, the change that these guys are going to go through
0:50:05 > 0:50:09in the next six months, so what you leave isn't what you get when you come back
0:50:09 > 0:50:13and I think that's the biggest thing that I'm going to miss, is seeing these guys just grow up.
0:50:16 > 0:50:22Go on, then. Count. What are you going to count to?
0:50:22 > 0:50:24Coming, ready or not!
0:50:24 > 0:50:28Here I come, it's wicked!
0:50:28 > 0:50:33Go. Go. Hector runs around and plays these dragons, and dragonslayers, in his knight's uniform,
0:50:33 > 0:50:36and so they slay dragons, but he hasn't got a clue.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40One day he'll read about it in the history books though,
0:50:40 > 0:50:44and much like we read about our grandfathers here in the First World War.
0:50:44 > 0:50:48They're not real fairies!
0:50:48 > 0:50:54It's not whether I feel proud about it, it's whether he feels proud about what Daddy did during the war.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57Yeah, yeah, you get goosebumps now and again.
0:51:26 > 0:51:30It's upsetting, I feel really emotional, I'm trying to be...
0:51:32 > 0:51:35..calm and...for his sake.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41I can't help it, sorry.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04Come on.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13- I love you.- I love you.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Bye!
0:52:29 > 0:52:32For me, it just feels like I'm doing something wrong.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36You know what I mean, like leaving them, they're making me feel bad for leaving them.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40I know that they're not meaning to, you're going to get sad, aren't you? But...
0:52:44 > 0:52:46It just makes you want to leave the army.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01Before boarding their flight to Camp Bastion,
0:53:01 > 0:53:04the soldiers will have to hand their mobile phones in,
0:53:04 > 0:53:08as they won't be allowed access to them for the next six months.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13Tour starts now.
0:53:13 > 0:53:17Check your kit, check you've got your helmet, check you've got all your good stuff.
0:53:17 > 0:53:21Everything we do we move as a platoon, when we sit down, all right,
0:53:21 > 0:53:22we sit down as a platoon.
0:53:22 > 0:53:27You don't go and mingle with 2 or 3 Platoon, until we fucking get out there.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- Happy days. Does everyone understand?- Yeah.
0:53:51 > 0:53:56Over the past six months I've never really took much notice of it all. You know?
0:53:56 > 0:54:00You sort of like take it from day to day, what's going to happen.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03And then you don't realise...
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Oh, God.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27And then it's there, looking at you.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34Number Two. Start getting your kit on now, fellas.
0:54:37 > 0:54:41- Nesbitt.- Sir. - Williams.- Sir.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45- Rifleman Bishop.- Yes, sir.
0:54:45 > 0:54:47- Cornish.- Yes, sir.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50- Cosgrove.- Yes, sir.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52- Farrell.- Yes, sir.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54- Forti.- Yes, sir.
0:54:54 > 0:54:59French. Barr. Meads. Francis.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02Yes, sir.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05- Rifleman Matthews.- Sir.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07- Arundel.- Yes, sir.
0:55:07 > 0:55:09- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11- Corporal Bishop.- Sir.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13- Haliday.- Sir.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15- Jones-Newton.- Sir.
0:55:17 > 0:55:19- McQuaig?- Yes, sir.
0:55:19 > 0:55:21- Shott.- Sir.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23- Whitehouse.- Yes, sir.
0:55:32 > 0:55:36Get up on the wall! Get up on the wall!
0:55:36 > 0:55:38Up on the wall! Keep facing!
0:55:42 > 0:55:43He's found something!
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Fire in the hold!
0:55:45 > 0:55:49I've took photos of my legs and I've named them, just in case I lose them.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52Get right down!
0:55:52 > 0:55:57Every time you take a casualty, you try to think as to how you're going to rectify this.
0:55:57 > 0:56:01How you'll keep going so that tomorrow you won't stumble, you'll keep fighting.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04It just goes to show I've been grafting, doesn't it?
0:56:06 > 0:56:10I don't think there's anything wrong with fearing, like, dying.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14Cos it keeps you alert, it keeps you awake.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17So then you're thinking about your drills a lot more.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19So I think it's a good thing.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:32 > 0:56:34E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk