Meet Stacy Cleghorn, an Army veteran with 26 years of service. Stacy joined the Army when she was just 16 years old, with no previous military experience and no family members who had served in the Armed Forces.
She grew up in East London and, like many 16-year-olds leaving school, wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life.
Why Stacy Joined The Army
Back then, you looked through the newspaper for job opportunities, and Stacy came across one of the classic ‘The Army Wants You’ adverts. She loved physical training, so she told her mom that she wanted to join the Army.
“I loved training and running; I had competed in athletics for the South of England, so I thought, why not? My mum’s immediate response was no. Despite that, I went through all the selection processes and eventually joined the Army in May 1998.”
The Army gave her opportunities to travel the world and compete in a wide range of sports. She took part in athletics and cross-country running, but after suffering a knee injury early in her career, she realised that she needed to focus on something different.
“It turned out I was quite a good swimmer, so I joined the Army swimming team and went on to compete at Inter-Service level.”
Building Lifelong Skills
Her Army career built resilience in ways she could never have imagined. During her later years of service, she took part in numerous endurance events. As her career progressed her mental endurance grew alongside her experience.
“I remember being younger and thinking, ‘I can’t do that’. As I got older, that mindset changed. Instead, I found myself thinking, ‘I might think I can’t do that, but it’s not going to stop, so the only way forward is to finish it’.”
No matter what endurance challenge or charity event Stacy took part in, the feeling of crossing the finish line has always been immense.
“I left the Army in 2023 after an incredible 26 years of service. My husband is from Yorkshire and I’m from the South, so we wanted to find somewhere that worked for both of our families. We found our forever home in the Midlands, and it made perfect sense for us to settle there.”
“If you’re considering a career in the Army, or even volunteering, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to do it. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The transition from military life to civilian life is significant, but the opportunities available to you in the Army are extraordinary. Through the Army, I was able to go skiing, compete in swimming, take part in numerous charity events, and pursue challenges I would never otherwise have experienced.”
Throughout Stacy’s career, she was supported every step of the way. Her bosses were always incredibly encouraging, and the people around her constantly wanted to see her succeed. The Army gives you a community that helps build you up and supports you in achieving your goals.
“If my nine-year-old daughter or my sixteen-year-old son told me they wanted to join the Army, I would fully encourage them to do so.”
