We visit the Army Reserves in Worcester to train with the TA

It is just a training exercise but if living life on the edge is your cup of tea, then maybe pay a visit to the Army Reserves at New Dancox House in Pheasant Street.

The Army Reserves comprises people with "normal" civilian lives alongside a part-time army lifestyle, which takes up around a month of their year.

WELCOME: The storage room in the reserves. (Image: NQ)They spend their time learning new skills, topping up their knowledge and practising for situations they may find themselves in during a conflict.

To learn more about the exciting things which go on and what drives a person to live this dual life, I decided to slip behind the scenes of the Army Reserves.

"The most difficult thing that a potential reserve soldier will do is come into this building," said Sgt Mark Wall, who led my tour. 

And I must admit I had reservations about entering the building too.

Myths like constant shouting, screaming, and being physically fit enough to enter were my biggest fears.

"I invest a lot of my time and energy in making this place as welcoming as possible as this first meeting is critical on if someone is going to stay or go.

"They can very quickly leave with the mindset. I knew it was going to be like that, and they have these things in their head that we scream and shout.

"We do not deal with regular soldiers - we have people who work in finance, carpet fitters, bricklayers, police officers, nurses."

Inside the building, it was actually quiet - no shouting or screaming.

A lesson Sgt Blea led which taught us how to use a gun. (Image: NQ)

I watched a lesson on how to use a gun, and everyone was sitting on seats - as well as the teacher - it was as if you were conversing with a friend.

The difference I learnt was that the reserves are made up of everyday people dedicating their spare time to learning and being part of a team, so shouting wasn't the way forward.

Phil Blea is known by most as a regional sales manager for a bank but when he steps into his camouflage uniform, he becomes an army sergeant. 

"I think the military lifestyle is so different from the civilian world; the excitement of going into it is one thing but the apprehension of how different it would be played on my mind," he said.

He told me that if you have an open mind, a lot of the myths surrounding the reserves are wrong.

One that I learned was that reserves, as opposed to soldiers, are not forced to join conflicts, and they can volunteer to join if they wish.

The whole tour came to a close, and the reservations I had of being in the building seemed to have slipped away.

I left feeling as though I had spoken to new friends, and in the future, if I wanted to learn how to use a gun, I knew precisely the place to go.