Dean Morgan is a proud Welshman who aged 16 joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. After training at Pirbright he was part of the Major Generals Parade and when he was spoken to the inspecting officer was surprised at his age and suggested that he shouldn’t mention it!

He was too young to deploy with the battalion to Northern Ireland. When he reached 18, he badgered Company Sgt Major Nicky Mott to allow him to deploy as a joint team with the Irish and Scots Guards. He still remembers the mnemonic FATLAD.

Dean transferred to 2 company and became part of the reconnaissance team and deployed to the Balkans. He would pass memorials to mass graves and there was a sense of loss in so many communities.

Dean describes his time in Iraq and the fateful time in Afghanistan when Col Thorneloe was killed but he was one of a number who lost their lives. Dean recounts his leaving of Afghanistan and a chance meeting of a Coldstream Guard who he done a course in the Brecon’s with. He wished the Sgt well and told him to keep safe. This was the last Dean saw of his friend as he was killed.

When Dean returned to the UK and was selected to become an instructor at Sandhurst. The process of selection was an 85km Tab across the Black Mountains this meant he was up to speed in his physical and mental fitness. He taught cadets from across the world. At the conclusion of his time at Sandhurst he returned to Battalion and found himself in the stores.

Dean was promoted to Regimental Sgt Major and returned to Kabul which was different to his previous experiences in Afghanistan. He applied for and was subsequently selected for a late entrant commission. However, Dean undertook the new role of Command Sgt Major and the role meant that he went to Fort Bliss in El Paso where he attended the Sgt Majors course. Upon his return he was posted to Home Command and worked with the strategic military leaders. He served in post for 2 years.

Having been promoted to the rank of Major, Dean undertook a role which effectively removed him from frontline duties and gave him a more detailed insight to defence procurement.

Having just left the Army Dean was kind enough to take part in this podcast. We wish him well in his new role with NHS Wales.

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