Robert Watts, an electrician on a tank landing craft, participated in the D-Day invasion at Juno Beach during World War II. He joined the Navy at eighteen and a half, and by the time of the invasion, he had nearly three years of training. Although not experienced in landings, his crew of fifteen was close-knit and well-prepared. On D-Day, rough seas caused significant seasickness among the troops on board. Despite the danger, Robert felt a strong sense of duty and discipline. He vividly recalls a humorous moment with a crewmate nicknamed "Bright Eyes", who was over-hyped. The landing was intense, with dive-bombing and mines, resulting in casualties. Robert was responsible for releasing the ramps and experienced a close call with a mine. The aftermath was harrowing, with dead soldiers and the challenge of helping troops navigate the water. Despite the chaos, Robert and his crew maintained their sense of humour and resilience, helping to transport supplies and German prisoners. Reflecting on these experiences helps Robert cope with life's challenges today.

Catherine Avent recounts her memories of going from a university undergraduate to a beloved admin officer in charge of a one of a kind navy unit. Despite not having a naval background her romanticisation of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) spurred her to join, her naval experiences shaping the rest of her life.   Catherine’s training involved tracking Morse code and sending out warnings on the occasion of interruptions, a vital task reserved for her unit to complete. Being promoted to admin officer came with a steep learning curve due to her new found responsibilities but by the end of her naval career she left well loved by her unit. The interview highlights how accidentally lowering her unit’s morale early in her career deeply affected her, causing her goal to leave the navy having done more good than bad. She knew how lonely and boring being a part of the WRNS could be so frequently took her people to the cinema to keep them happy. Catherine felt a great responsibility to protect her unit, especially during bombings and she left the navy being very proud of them all for surviving and proud of herself for achieving her goal. 

Always keen on adventure and the outdoor life, Don Maclean joined the Royal Marines Reserves in 1995 when he was 17, and received his green beret 18 months later whilst also studying engineering at university. He explains how part-time training worked and talks about the toughest challenges he faced, before reflecting on the level of self-motivation required to maintain the physical and mental fitness of a regular Royal Marine whilst living a civilian life on standby for mobilisation. In 2010 Don was called up for an operational tour of Afghanistan. He shares memories of arriving in Camp Bastion as a member of X-Ray Company 45 Commando, and describes in detail the role they played as a security force and how it felt to be waiting for action to unfold. Just eight weeks into his tour, Don stood on an IED during a routine patrol. He vividly recounts the moments that followed, the lightning-fast rescue operation that saved his life, and the multiple surgeries he underwent to save his damaged foot. Don shares his sincere appreciation for the exceptional rehab he received at Headley Court, and talks about achievements and ambitions in his new life beyond the military.