Aaron Osborne will always be grateful for what being a soldier taught him about life.
Now he’s determined to put those skills to good use after swapping a tank for a fire engine.
The 27-year-old is Rushmoor Fire Station’s newest recruit after completing the intensive training programme to join Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service in January.
Aaron’s 11 years with the British Army – first with the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and later with the Royal Tank Regiment – saw him deploy overseas and train around the world.
But a brain injury sustained while boxing for his regiment left him contemplating what life after the army could look like, and it was the continued desire to serve that led him to the fire and rescue service.
These days you’ll find him responding to 999 calls across Aldershot, Farnborough and beyond, as well as working with local communities to help make their lives safer.
‘I’ve got no regrets about my time in the army,’ says Aaron, who grew up in Basingstoke.
‘What I did in my army career has really changed me. It made me. But I left the army for a new challenge and to help people and that’s what I’m doing.’
He joined the army at 16 to prove he could do it. Being dyslexic set him back but he didn’t give in and after completing basic training at Harrogate he moved on to Catterick. Army life instilled in him discipline, respect and routine and he’s now putting those skills to use as a firefighter.
Aaron says:
‘Even when I was in the army I knew that the fire service was hard to get into. I knew they dealt with fires and car accidents but didn’t know much more than that.
‘When I found out I’d got in I was really pleased and just tried to do as much as possible before training began. I’d go down to my local station and knock on the door and ask for advice.’
Putting out fires and cutting people out of cars will always be an important part of the job but modern-day firefighters also need to be able to communicate vital safety messages and form important connections in the communities they serve.
Those connections are also important between watch mates and Aaron has found the bonds formed during training – and as a new recruit – a great support.
‘During training, it was good to see how much everyone helped each other,’ he explains.
‘Every time I’ve been knocked down I’ve got back up again. My mum died at the end of my training and that really knocked me for six but I got so much support. I keep going.
‘That’s not a weakness, it’s a strength.’
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