Paramedic takes care of her 'family' in reservist role

While she works as a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service for her day job, Faye Shotton also serves her country as an Army reservist.

Currently serving with 4 Mercian as a medic, 33-year-old Sergeant Shotton has spent 16 years in the military and embraces everything life in the reserves has to offer.

Her Army career has taken her across the world, including deployments to Afghanistan and, last year, she spent seven months on Operation Newcombe in Mali as part of the UN's peacekeeping mission in the country.

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Forces News caught up with Sgt Shotton as she took part in an outdoor training weekend with 4 Mercian.

"Some people say it's a commitment, but I find it more of a love and a joy," she said about her military career. "I find this is my calling, it's something that I need to do.

"I'm going to look after 'my family' this weekend, this is what it is, it's a family thing.

"It's something that we can work on together, train and become better people."

She added: "As a reservist, I want to go overseas and serve my country the best I can, and if any deployment comes up, then that's exactly what I'll be doing."

The reserves also allow regular soldiers to switch careers into the reserve force and continue their service.

Private Ollie Thums, of 4 Mercian, who was taking part in the training, said: "It's basically the same job, it's infantry to infantry.

"What I'm doing here I could do that in 1 Mercian. Maybe that was a little bit different because that was armoured infantry and this is light infantry.

"But your basic training you learn at Catterick, for example, all of the same principles apply. Whether you're a reservist or a regular it doesn't matter."

Unlike the regular Army, the reserves' commitment allows soldiers to pursue careers outside of the military. 

Second Lieutenant John Hardy, of 4 Mercian, said: "At a minimum, it (a reservist career) would be something like three or four weekends a year, and two weeks away on an annual camp.

"But then there is the opportunity to do quite a bit more, maybe four weeks away, one weekend every month, and one evening every week.

"Who doesn't enjoy firing weapons and running around?" he added.