Swapping his job as a civil servant for another six months on the front line, Corporal Tim Wates speaks to reporter DAVID MILLS about the war in Afghanistan.
CORPORAL Tim Wates loves soldiering.
Despite the obvious dangers of a war zone, the 37-year-old civil servant from Dartford thrives on the excitement and thrill of helping rebuild war torn countries.
In March he will be on his second tour of Afghanistan, this time in the capital Kabul mentoring instructors for the Afghan army.
Previously he was based in Helmand Province, the key battle ground against the Taliban.
Cpl Wates, who is in the A Coy unit of the TA'S London Regiment, said: “I believe in what we are doing over there.
“I know it’s not popular with everyone but I still think we are doing the right thing out there.
“We are helping Afghans get on their feet as a nation, we can’t just let the Taliban and Al-Qaeda resurface.”
Cpl Wates, who works for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, is one of 60 reservists from the regiment preparing to go to Afghanistan.
Reservists come from all walks of life such as estate agents, engineers, prison officers and teachers who have swapped their civilian jobs for the front line.
As part of their preparation the soldiers practise weapon handling, marksmanship skills and counter insurgency tactics.
Cpl Wates has been in the TA for seven years, but some reservists are entering the theatre for the first time.
He said: “I enjoy soldiering, one of the reasons I joined the TA is I enjoy the team work and the camaraderie.
“There are a lot of guys who haven’t been before, a lot are perhaps a bit worried and concerned, but you’re not in danger all the time.
“They are worried about becoming a casualty. But you have to put things in context. If you do the job correctly then you are going to minimise the chances of becoming a casualty.”
During his first tour of Afghanistan Cpl Wates provided security for medical and immediate response teams, which involved flying into dangerous areas with the enemy still lurking.
He said: “It’s an exciting environment to be in, there’s a certain amount of anxiety, you never know what the situation will be on the ground.
“You worry for the casualty and about what you will see, but after a while you get used to it. You learn how to deal with it.
“I know there are risks but it’s part of the job.”
In 2004 Cpl Wates spent six months in Iraq as part of Operation Tellic, where he was involved in escorting convoys, working on vehicle check points and doing guard duty and foot and vehicle patrols.
Despite his worst experience being the death of a colleague in Afghanistan, he believes British troops have made a positive difference in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said: “It’s positive to see projects getting completed, security happening, seeing the insurgency forces being removed.
“When you get a good reaction from locals that’s always satisfying.
“When I was in Iraq you could see progress on the streets.
“By the end of my time there things were getting built and the place was more thriving.”
To find out more about the London Regiment call 020 7820 4040.
Visit londonregiment.mod.uk or armyjobs.mod.uk for more information.
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