By David and Chantelle Tindall
The British Army personnel present at the mightily impressive Monastery building in Manchester, and delivering a presentation to the wider community, debunked the many myths people perpetuate the Army.
They do not love war, do not join as a last resort, and, importantly, do like to think independently. They also exhibited a clear understanding of modern Britain. Both, its diversity and challenges. If the news was not so focused on negative stories, there would be a healthier dialogue with little need for the army to appeal to community leaders and charities to liaise with the wider public on their behalf.
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This was not just paying lip service to the Manchester community. There was a warm reception that was both full of humour, surprises, and insightful conversations - all which preceded a formal presentation. A lengthy, engaging presentation, so not just sound bites and number crunching. Similarly, the Q and A session that followed it allowed everyone in the room a voice. Nobody was ignored. True to their word, the speakers continued their conversations over supper and allowed everyone to depart in their own time.
It quickly became apparent that this was going to be a packed house and diverse, with all ages and creeds represented. The army representatives were also keen to present themselves as a diverse group that reflects the society they serve.
One person who immediately caught our attention by bearing this out was a Nigerian girl in her combat uniform in the midst of her male colleagues. Her name is Joy Opute from Kwale in Delta State, which was very surprising and filled me with pride. She belongs to the 209 Battalion 109 Regiment Royal Artillery situated in Belle Vue Manchester. I was told that this diversity is especially true in the Reservists. James Sutherland of the Army Engagement group stated that the aim of nights like these were to re-connect to all parts of society. We were in the process of taking photos with her Battalion, when Dr Erinma Bell and company arrived and joined in the shoot. Being a peace activist who fights against gang and gun violence, Dr Bell has been working with the army for quite some time to disengage youths from getting involved in crime. They now have 12,000 local cadets which illustrates that the strategy is working.
The friendly officers at the reception escorted us to meet a dapper gentleman in a sharp electric blue suit - Sergeant Lamin Deen, a military double Olympian from Moss Side Manchester, born of Sierra Leonean parents. Sgt Lamin explained that another reason the Army Presentation Day event took place was to "offer a chance for the attendees to integrate with one another, getting to know each other, and hopefully pave a way for future correspondence."
Sgt Deen has been in the Army for about 20 years. Firstly in the infantry, then the frontline, and then as a Grenadier guard operating outside Buckingham Palace. As a double Olympian, he represented Great Britain in 2014's two and four man Bobsleigh teams. He has been engaging in a full time sports role for about 10 years now. This reiterates the opaque career path the army offers. Having being away for so long, the evening was also a touching moment of reunion and surprise for his aunt who had no idea he had arrived back. It was special.
He joined the army at the age of sixteen - a decision he was glad he took as it prevented him from turning a wrong corner. At the time he joined, it was going through a transitional period, and because, there were far "fewer ethnic minorities, more so of African heritage, it was very daunting." The army was at that point recruiting from countries in the Commonwealth like Fiji and also Africa.
However, according to him: "Going back to the regiment 20 years on, it is a more colourful place. The Army has moved on with the times. It has changed from rigidity to operating in line with the society today. The command structure has evolved so much that recruits are treated with a lot of respect and dignity no matter their colour, creed or sexual orientation."
He, furthermore, stated his support for more young men and women to join the Army. They "should not be afraid or pay heed to scare stories that all the military does is wars and guns," he stated. There are more rewarding adventures and experiences to be gained by enlisting, as his own wonderful story attests.
In the Q and A session, we learnt that there are over 200 Army roles with 70% of those roles supporting the front line. They offer the chance to study NVQ's and even degrees which gives people personal development opportunities. The school-like facilities the Army now boasts are already creating critical thinkers and inspirational people. There is also a future plan to increase the number of Reservists to 32,000 which is no mean feat considering there were only 1,800 in 2016. There was an admission that there were not enough females and diversity in the past but that by engaging directly with the communities they have changed the culture and are now an equal opportunities employer. Community speakers representing Smiley, a Muslim community charity and The Manchester United Foundation both spoke out to attest to the positive changes that have already taken place.
As a PR exercise in reaching out, it shone the army in a very fine light and we hope to hear many more positive stories in the future. We are sure we will.