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Reading is Knowledge. Knowledge is Power

Andy McNab tells us about his latest visit to the Army Foundation College & the Infantry Training Centre in Yorkshire, and about the great new literacy initiative that's recently been introduced

I recently spent a day at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate. The college plays a vital role in providing a year of military training and developing future leadership for junior soldiers. It offers military training, personal development, and education for those aged sixteen and above. It gives them skills to succeed not only in the armed forces but in their lives beyond the time they are serving.

I have visited Harrogate many times, and each time, I'm blown away by the dedication and passion of the trainers at every level. Some of the most interesting times I've spent there have been in their library, talking to the educators who run it, hearing from junior soldiers who have been bitten by the education bug, and hearing about their plans. Any visitor to the AFC does not leave subscribing to the snowflake generation idea.

The trainers are dedicated to these young men and women and do everything they can to help them succeed. Since I was last there, they've launched a brilliant initiative for which I signed a few books. It is a book vending machine – a reward mechanism used at the College, which also helps to address the fact that 75% of their intake achieve an initial literacy assessment score equivalent to a 9-11-year-old. The same reading age I had when I joined as a junior soldier at sixteen. I spoke to around 450 of them in the main lecture theatre this time. My message is simple because it worked for me. The more you read, the more knowledge you have, and knowledge means having the power to do the things you want to do rather than someone with more power telling you what you must do. I can reassure you that they weren't slow in coming forward with questions!

While I was up in Yorkshire, I also went to the Infantry Training Centre (ITC), which is part of the military garrison of Catterick. Again, this is somewhere I've spent lots of time. It is where our army trains its adult Infantry soldiers and it produces some of the best infantry in the world today.

I am always impressed by the men and women at different stages of their seven-month combat infantry training. The camp is just buzzing with their drive and determination. I spoke to around 250 recruits about the importance of switching on, getting that all-important education, and giving yourself the power to make decisions and change your life.

I also had something to eat in the Warrant Officer's Mess whilst I was there to check nothing had changed in the Army catering standards either… The less said on that, the better!

I often hear the 'old and bold' who think the army isn't as good as it was while they served. I would encourage them to think again, because the Army Foundation College and the Infantry Training Centre not only produce excellent soldiers, they now also produce solid citizens.

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