SAS Hero Andy McNab Meets Local Military Students
By admin
Issued on behalf of the Army Preparation College Cymru
There’s a lot more to a life in the Army – than learning how to fight.
That was the message handed out by SAS hero-turned author Andy McNab to students at the Army Preparation College Cymru.
The Gulf War veteran had the reading age of a child of 10 when he joined the Army at 16 – but made the most of his military education.
The best-selling writer, who led the infamous Bravo Two Zero patrol in the first Gulf War action against Iraq, said: “Without me realising it at the time, it was the Army that gave me the education I needed to write books and films now.
“It’s given me that start. Young people need to take advantage of education while it’s on offer.”
McNab met up to 200 military students, aged from 14 to 18, on a visit to the Army Preparation College in Cardiff. There the young people learn a range of skills giving them City and Guilds qualifications. If they choose, they can then go on and join the Armed Forces.
He joined the Army after being taken out of a juvenile detention centre where he was doing time for breaking and entering. He became a member of 22 SAS in 1984 and was involved in special operations worldwide.
During the Gulf War, he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that in the words of his commanding officer “will remain in regimental history forever.”
Since leaving the service in 1993 he has written two best-selling books about his experiences, as well as five novels. Sales of his books to date exceed five million copies, in 15 languages.
McNab added: “Young people often get a bad reputation. But education in centres like the Army Preparation College Cymru gives them the opportunity to realise their potential.”
