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Training – Profiles
“As long as I can remember, I always wanted to
join the army, not having the slightest idea what the military was all
about. Like most other teenagers, my fantasies got the better of me and I
had all intent on making my dream a reality.”
“As a youngster I often make-believed and pretended to be a soldier,
however, this feeling never left me. Everyone in my family saw it coming and
there were no surprises when I decided to enlist in the Jamaica Defence
Force. July 22 was the highlight of my life and to-date I have no regrets.
The experiences at Newcastle have been very fulfilling and indeed a learning
process that is ongoing.”
“Cpl
Mathias (Centre), my squad corporal at all times goes to lengths to ensure
that we learn and understand all that is taught to us in training. For my
instructors, this is more than just a job, having to live and operate in the
same environment, they go to the extremes to ensure that we keep on track
because ultimately they are responsible for the soldiers produced at the end
of the training period.”
You
can make it, just one more sit-up and it’s over. “All it takes is a
little self discipline at times. Laziness does not become a recruit and with
that attitude you will never make it. I have been told that tiredness is all
in the mind, and I have found that to be true. When you decide that you
cannot go any further, just a nudge or a push from another recruit may get
you going again. Especially after a hectic physical training session, when
it is all over you feel so accomplished and satisfied that you made it and
it was just because you did not give up”

Recruit Ellis during a Barrack Room inspection.
Pte Ivan Ellis is now serving in
Charlie Company, 2JR as a rifleman.
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