GETTING the Royal Wessex Yeomanry’s 2013 recruiting campaign off to a flying start has been Salisbury soldier Trooper Jessica Hunter.

She joined other members of Old Sarum based B Squadron to show off their new vehicles, the 7.5 tonne RWIMIK (Refurbished Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) based on a Land Rover, to the crowds outside the Guildhall last Saturday.

The squadron has been equipped with these vehicles to enable them to gain skills that can transfer to other Royal Armoured Corps fighting vehicles and quickly take their place alongside their regular counterparts on operations.

With the expanded role for the TA in the Army 2020 concept, B Squadron is looking to recruit and train additional members of the unit.

Trooper Hunter, 22, who is a beautician working for Luxury Nails in her civilian life, is currently working as a Territorial Army liaison officer at the Army Careers Information Office in Salisbury.

She chose to join the Territorial Army while she was at college to see if service life was for her.

“It was different to what I expected it to be,” she said. “It was a lot better and I found out a lot, and more about what I wanted to do in the military.”

“Joining the reserves has given me challenges and opportunities and has helped me to develop certain skills and attributes that perhaps otherwise, may have remained hidden.”

“I have had a great time up at Old Sarum with some great opportunities. I did the Olympics at Weymouth last summer; I’ve been on adventurous training in Malta and done lots of courses.

“Being a beauty therapist is a far cry from my reservist role. However, with the unwavering support of my employer to take part in training weekends, camps, development courses and most importantly deployment on operations, I have been able to develop my soldiering skills and still be able to advance with my career as a beauty therapist.”

Trooper Hunter is aiming to become a movement controller with the Royal Logistics Corps and hopes to begin her basic training in April.