Military
My military career ended in July 1994. It had lasted from mid 1983, when I was awarded an Army Scholarship for my A levels at School. In between times, I was an Undergraduate Cadet and rose finally to the rank of Captain in the Scots Guards.
1983 to 1989 - Learning the Ropes
I was sponsored by the Royal Artillery through School and University. The Charterhouse School Liaison Officer was a great man and a former Gunner, by the name of Paddy Smith. it was inevitable that I woul see the attraction of indirect fire. It didnt hurt that the Royal Artillery arranged for me to attend the Joint Services Parachute Centre at netheravon, where at the age of 16 I threw myself twice out of a perfectly seficeable aeroplane. My commitment increased before going up to Oxford in September 1986 when I was required to attedn the Pre-University Course 59 - a fortnight of misery where my eyes were opened to the realities of Army life. Fortunately it was not enough to put me off for good and I used my three years at Oxford University Officers Training Corps and my obligatory attachments during long vacations to develop my skills.
During this time, I served with 3 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in their role as UN Peace keeping troops in Cyprus. I also spent time with 27 Field Regiment in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire. The OTC termtime and vacation exercies were demanding and educational as well - visits to Munster, the Black Mountains and Salisbury Plains being particularly memorable.
September 1989 to July 1994 - the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and the Scots Guards
The Role of Banking in the Global Economy
Bankers are about as popular as politicians at the moment. They are convenient scapegoats to blame for the credit crunch, but it is far too simplistic to land all the blame at their feet. Banks perform many socially useful functions; here are some of them.