Rob Grimes has very kindly written the introduction to today’s post. As a photographer who serves in the armed forces, Rob gives an overview of what it means to him, accompanied by some of his photographs from Project Afghan.
.
“For me the Armed Forces, (the Army in particular and the branch I joined, the Infantry – Rifles), was my goal in life; my dream as a young boy who watched and followed in the footsteps of my idol and father who also served for 22 years in the Armed Forces. From the moment I could speak I said it was my goal and aim to join the forces. Throughout my childhood through to adulthood, my goals never changed. I was determined, maybe stubborn, to join up and sign on that dotted line; to take my oath of allegiance and serve my country for as long as I could, and I did. To me it meant everything and it still does today, probably even more for what we do today.
.
.jpg "© Rob Grimes")
.
The years have gone quickly, flown by in fact, but I always said to myself during my time that if an opportunity presented itself, then I will take it. Within the Forces, there are always opportunities to travel; to do things civilians cannot do and to experience good and bad in many foreign fields.
.
I have had the opportunity to serve abroad on operations ranging from Northern Ireland in the early 90′s, Bosnia in 96, Iraq in 2006-07, Kosovo in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2009 & 2012. I’ve been able to travel to France, Germany, Cyprus, Kenya (three times), Jordan and Dubai on overseas Military exercises. In addition I’ve been part of expeditions to Nepal (Himalayas), Peru (Inca Trail), skiing in France, diving in France, bungee jumping in Cyprus, and the list could go on and on.
.
.jpg "© Rob Grimes")
.
It all made me the man I am today; respectful, loyal, trustworthy, hardworking, kind and not just to those close to me like family but also to those I serve with, especially the younger generation just starting their careers in a time of conflict in Afghanistan. I’m there to guide, mentor and ensure their safety, so they can also have the opportunities that were presented to me and a long and rewarding career as I have done.
.
.jpg "© Rob Grimes")
.
I will look back after my time in the Armed Forces comes to an end, proud to have achieved everything that I have, along with the scars and medals to record my time in the Army.
.
.jpg "© Rob Grimes")
.jpg "© Rob Grimes")
.
I am who I am today because of family, friends and my time in the forces. Without any of that, I wouldn’t be writing this today.”
.
Rob Grimes Photography
.
And now here are the contributions from the Click Collective, She Clicks and our Facebook public page for National Armed Forces Day:
.
.jpg "Jane Packard, Amanda Hayler")
L to R: Jane Packard, Amanda Hayler (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Claire Penn")
Claire Penn (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Pam Hordon")
Pam Hordon (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Lisa Dearnley-Davison, Helen Chatfield Rigby")
L to R: Lisa Dearnley-Davison, Helen Chatfield Rigby (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Rachel Baker")
Rachel Baker (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Andrea Ellison")
Andrea Ellison (The Click Colective)
.
.jpg "Vicky Sudbury")
Vicky Sudbury (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Samantha Pommells, Amanda Holl")
L to R: Samantha Pommells, Amanda Holl (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Rachel Baker")
Rachel Baker (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Lucy Stendall")
Lucy Stendall (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Vicky Sudbury")
Vicky Sudbury (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Victoria Phipps")
Victoria Phipps (The Click Collective)
.
.jpg "Laura Evans")
Laura Evans (She Clicks)
.
.jpg "Helen Yin, Isabelle Lafrance")
L to R: Helen Yin, Isabelle Lafrance (She Clicks)
.
.jpg "Isabelle Lafrance")
Isabelle Lafrance (She Clicks)
.
.jpg "Kay Maguire")
Kay Maguire (She Clicks)
.
.jpg "Kate Geikowski")
Kate Geikowski (She Clicks)
.
.jpg "Judi Checketts")
Judi Checketts (Facebook Submission)
.
.jpg "Kerry Morgon-Shaw")
Kerry Morgon-Shaw (Facebook Submission)
.
.jpg "Andrea Pittam, Janet Broughton")
L to R: Andrea Pittam, Janet Broughton (Facebook Submission)
.
.jpg "Andrea Pittam")
Andrea Pittam (Facebook Submission)
.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg "Amanda Hayler")
.jpg "Vicky Sudbury")
.jpg "Claire Penn")
.jpg "Mandy Beck")
.jpg "Lucy Stendall")
.jpg "Alex Rickard")
.jpg "LiZy Hö")
.jpg "AmandaHoll-reservoir dogs")
.jpg "Ladybird")
.jpg "Tracy Morter Photography")
.jpg "Andreaellison-thegreatwaldopepper (1 of 1)")
.jpg "OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA")
.jpg "Boo")
.jpg "SONY DSC")
.jpg "Into the West_Kay Maguire_SheClicks")
.jpg "BridgeOnTheRiverKwai_KateGeikowski_SheClicks")
.jpg "Rock of Ages")
.jpg "alex-rickard-chicken-run")
.jpg "ian-han-spiderman")
.jpg "LiZy-Hö-transformers"){kind=spacer}
.jpg "andrea-pittam-amelie")
.jpg "Claire Penn")
.jpg "Rachel Baker")
.jpg "Jane Packard")
.jpg "Boo Marshall")
.jpg "Andrea Ellison")
.jpg "Kate Geikowski")
.jpg "Angela Loyd Stansell")
.jpg "Coterie Photos")
.jpg "Jordanna Marston")
.jpg "Pipers Pictures")
.jpg "Stu Cooper wedding photographer_001")
.jpg "Stu Cooper wedding photographer_002")
.jpg "Stu Cooper wedding photographer_003")
.jpg "Stu Cooper wedding photographer_004")
.jpg "Stu Cooper wedding photographer_005")
.jpg "Stu Cooper wedding photographer_006")
ohhh.. i love macro monday <3 i love Kay Maguire´s Pic and Mandy Beck´s coulors
I LOVE macro mondays … some fab entries this week x
Aww these are gorgeous.