"My life changed since I joined the Army and now I'm preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime challenge"

Bombardier Olie Cutting, 37, left his logistics job in 2019 to join the Army, and he hasn’t looked back since. He decided to make the leap later in life, seeking a fresh challenge and a chance to improve himself.

He said his military career has completely transformed his life. “I joined for better opportunities and a more exciting life, as well as a chance to better myself, gain qualifications, and have unique experiences,” Bombardier Cutting said.

“There’s been a change in every aspect of my life – my mindset, my outlook, what’s important and what’s not. It’s made me a different and better person.”

Bombardier Cutting is preparing for his toughest test yet – rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Force Atlantic race. The six-week journey will see him and his team face the unpredictable challenges of the open sea, starting from La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December and finishing in Antigua.

“The biggest challenge I may face is the sheer enormity of it,” he added. “Three thousand miles, unsupported across an ocean, is bound to throw up all sorts of challenges. But what’s more important is making sure we’re equipped and ready as a team to face them and complete the venture.”

Bombardier Cutting is part of a four-person team from 12th Regiment Royal Artillery, and together they’ll make history as the first junior Army team to compete in the race. The team will set off on December 12 and aim to cross the finish line by mid-January. The soldier credits what he’s learned in his military career for giving him the tools to succeed in the challenge.

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“I am absolutely buzzing for the experience,” Bombardier Cutting added. “Training is going brilliantly. Being all from the same regiment, we’re doing all our training together. It’s been great to build team cohesion and really get to know each other.

“Being in the Army, we have a good level of baseline fitness from annual testing and regimental Physical Training, so it’s been a great starting block. However, we’re not trained as endurance athletes, so we’ve had to build on that and train specifically for this challenge.

“Mentally, the nature of our jobs gives us a great starting point in terms of tools and skills for resilience and problem-solving. The Army also offers advice and guidance to fill any gaps in our knowledge, with help from professionals and experts. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve as a team.”