Sorry for lot of questions. I dont know nobody who served so some my questions should seem silly or non-relevant. Also sorry for my English.
No problem - I'll answer anything asked in good faith
As teenager, have you been interested in military history? When have you decided that you will work as soldier? Have you studied in some military school/acadaemy?
I was never very interested in learning anything when I was young. I always liked stories about battles, but that was about it. Upon being selected to be an officer, all service personell (ie, me) must go to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst to be taught the trade.
How important was for your decision patriotism and serving your country? What was your stance towards communism (since you have been soldier in Cold War era, I find it relevant)?
My justification to myself when I was thinking about dying at work was that I think some things are worth more than my own life and health, so I'm probably what most people would call very patriotic. I think modern people over-rate the ideology of the period - we didn't all hate the reds and hold commie-stoning parties, though I've never thought that communism was a good idea
After military briefing, have you ever had bad feeling that you dont know what to expect?
Only once, during my first patrol in Borneo, when the man giving the briefing basically said: go out there and try to get back. Nobody had ever fought in the jungle before, so we were really relying on the SAS to help us out.
Have you been injured? Have been some of your friends injured?
I've had a lot of friends get hurt or killed, but (despite being known as a bit suicidal) I never seem to get hurt (I got shot once, but didn't notice till afterwards and the medic took a look at it, stuck a dressing on and said I could go if I wanted, so I did).
Have you dreams about your service? If so, which ones? Have you revisited places where have you served? Are you sometimes nostalgic?
I've been back to Ireland to see a mate who settled down there, but that's it.