Pair well aware of what lies ahead

PRIVATE Paul Carmichael from St Andrews joined the TA in 2010 and works as a barman.

He is also planning to go to Afghanistan and is under no illusions about what will face him when he gets there.

“I always wanted to be in the army and tried to join the regulars a few years ago but had to put that on hold due to a family incident,” he said.

“I decided I would go and join the TA and have enjoyed it ever since. Live f iring training is vital because I’m planning to go for Herrick 18, which will be my first tour of duty.

“A lot of the boys here are also pushing for that so obviously their skills are getting better. I don’t have any concerns just now about Afghanistan but once I get into my first fire fight it’s going to happen. I’m not a fool — I know that’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to go over there and we are going to get shot at.”

Corporal ScottWilkinson (32) from Dundee has been in the TA for 15 years.

Cpl Wilkinson, a supermarket worker, said: “Life in theTA is always challenging and that’s why I’ve been involved for so long.

“Things have stepped up since Iraq and now the guys are regularly going out on operations.

“Taking part in an exercise like this with live firing is a great experience for them and something they will be able to use in Afghanistan later in the year.”

Cpl Scott Wilkinson.