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[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... -21869085/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

POSTIE BRINGS COMFORT AND JOY TO OUR TROOPS

Serving overseas thousands of miles from home and family, for British troops the only high point of Christmas is often a precious letter or parcel from home.

And it's thanks to Lance Corporal Kate Draper, and her fellow military posties, that our lads and lasses all over the world get this vital lifeline.

"This is without doubt the busiest time of year - parcels are free to send at the moment," says Army Postal and Courier operator Kate, 25.

"Even brigadiers get stuck in on busy days if they're needed to clear the mail. It's vital it gets through and we stop at nothing to make sure that happens."

For eight years Kate, who comes from Newbury, Berks, has travelled the world working for the Royal Logistic Corps, delivering mail and supplies to bases.

"In short, I'm responsible for the safe delivery of items as diverse as weapon systems within enemy territory to vital medical supplies," explains Kate.

"No matter what the circumstances whatever is being delivered has to be accompanied by a courier," she says.

"This means we end up in some pretty unusual situations."

HOSTILE

At times she has been all alone in a plane surrounded by bags of post as the jet headed into potentially hostile skies.

"In a war zone the aircraft can't stop for long so I've had to leap out, unload the bags with the propellers still going and lug the post over to the local courier, then run back to the plane."

If it's particularly dangerous she gets back-up - known as a Mail Guard - although she does carry her own weapon. "I'm a fully trained soldier so I know that I can handle myself."

Not a moment goes by in her working day when she's not thinking of the end result.

"Just knowing that what I'm doing is a morale boost to serving soldiers and officers makes it all worthwhile," she says.

"You sometimes get to see the reaction of the troops when letters get through and it always melts my heart.

"My little brother was stationed in Afghanistan last year and we wrote to him every day. It's impor-tanfor those at home to know they support their loved ones."

Kate could n eve r h ave pictured herself doing any of this when, two days after finishing her GCSEs, she went to an Army Careers Office.

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"I wasn't very academic and was desperate to leave school. Although no one in my family was in the army, I just felt it was the right thing for me."

Kate was initially given an aptitude test to see which areas of the Army she would be best suited for and then she waited to start basic training.

"I joined just after my 17th birthday in January and off I went. Basic training was tough but I kept reminding myself this is what I wanted. That seemed enough to get me through."

Once she'd done her 12 weeks training (it's 14 weeks now) she was posted to her barracks in Surrey to find out what her trade would be. "I'd never really thought about Postal and Courier but once I knew what it was I didn't look back. I know how important it is for the Army as a whole."

One of her busiest times was when she was stationed at the BFPO (British Forces Post Office) HQ at RAF Northolt in Middlesex, where millions of letters and parcels are handled every year.

"You've never seen anything like it - they distribute post to all the services by land, sea and air. Just think of the logistics of getting mail to a ship for instance and you can see what they're up against. The atmos-pheris absolutely great though. Everyone knows how vitally important it is for the troops to hear from home."

When she's not working the Army has also provided Kate with a hobby - netball.

"I even went to New Zealand on a netball tour. We didn't do very well but it was a great experience.

"It was something I'd never have been able to do in a civilian career.

"I may have been only 16 when I decided to join the Army but it turned out to be the best decision of my life. I love it."

JOBS

The British Army is about much more than simply fighting - there are more than 140 trades to choose from.

They need to recruit about 15,000 soldiers and officers each year and there are currently a selection of trades (about 1,000 jobs) particularly needed including admin and HR, logistics and catering, postal and courier operation, communications and technology, engineering and healthcare.

To find out more visit http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

PAY AND PERKS

Regular soldiers are paid from £13,377.24 as a new entrant rising to £45,836.40 as a Warrant Officer Class 1. A graduate officer's salary is around £29,000. You will also gain highly transferable skills, training and NVQs, including your driving licence (if necessary) and other specialist licences, and enjoy subsidised accommodation, food and free medical and dental care.

[Lounge Lizard]

Just like us then - except working further from home sometimes.

[NWpostie]

I would have loved to do that, but I couldn't unfortunately.