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Eastwood postwoman encourages local people to join Royal Naval Reserve

Recruit Lauren Jackson, aged 31, works as a Postwoman for Royal Mail in Eastwood and serves part-time as a reservist with HMS Sherwood, the East Midlands’ only Royal Naval Reserve unit.

Lauren pictured during the Freedom of the City event

Lauren explained that she joined the unit after speaking to her line manager: “My civilian boss is from a military family and knows a lot of people who have served with the Armed Forces so thought I should look into joining the Royal Naval Reserve on a part-time basis. He has known me for more than ten years so understands what I enjoy and that I like a challenge.”

Having a passion to learn new skills Lauren explained that she wants to embrace as many opportunities as possible to kick start her military career: “There are loads of opportunities in the RNR. Skills like First Aid, the ability to solve problems and work as a team can all be transferred back in to my day job, but I’m also excited about learning a new specialist trade.”

Joining the unit in 2017, Lauren is in the early stages of her RNR training but already has highlights she enjoys chatting to friends outside of the RNR about. She continued: “After just months of joining HMS Sherwood I took part in the unit’s Freedom of the City of Nottingham parade in the city’s Market Square. I felt a huge sense of pride to be standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow reservists on parade and to march through the streets with members of the public cheering us on was amazing.”

Lauren’s only regret is not joining the RNR earlier, she concluded: “I’ve met some great friends at the unit and a few of us are actually planning a holiday together outside of unit activities which is great. I’d recommend joining HMS Sherwood to anyone who is looking for a new challenge in their life.

“Everyone has been so welcoming to me, you really don’t need to have any military experience as you can learn everything at your own pace. My reservist roles fits around my role as a postwoman and I still have time to see my friends and family too. I wish I had joined a long time ago.”

Armed Forces activities are taking place across the East Midlands from 25 June, with Reserves Day the annual celebration to thank reservists for their Service and learn more about their roles taking place on 27 June across the country.

To find out more about HMS Sherwood visit royalnavy.mod.uk or email navymr-sherwooduwo@mod.uk