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During the excitement I collared Andy Howells, a 35-year-old who works as a carpenter for Carmarthenshire council.

Andy from Norton Road, Penygroes seemed determined and self-assured as he loaded his rifle, and I guessed he was an experienced soldier.

I wasn't wrong. Lance Corporal Andy has dedicated 17 years of his life to being a part time soldier and this wasn't his first trip on a training exercise abroad.

"Belonging to the TAs can mean a lot of dedication and determination," he said.

"But when we come on training exercises like this it is a real bonus."

Over the years, Andy had been to Germany, France and Denmark.

And although I realised Andy enjoyed the fun of war games and travel what I wanted to know was, are he an all the others really prepared to go to war if they had to.

"Of course. We are a reserve army and at the end of the day if we were needed in any military situation we would go to war.

"This training is an essential part of training us for military situations, in Britain or abroad.

"But my life at home in Carmarthenshire is very important to me too."

I gulped as I contemplated the truth about this training, and as I did. Andy ran for cover to sound of gunfire from within a villa.

My adrenaline surged again and I legged it towards 'Gunny'.

As everyone seemed confident enough. I said I would be keen to have a blast on the firing range (move over tank girl, Private Misstear has a score to settle with dairy).

Eldmer Gill would have been proud of me with a loaded rifle, finger behind the trigger and not an eye in sight.

Staff Sergeant Gary 'Gunny' Evans from 223 Squadron Swansea showed me how to hold the weapon.

The bullets were crimped and I was assured they would do no harm. So I let rip with a fury that freed every bit of adrenalin.

I felt confident, and although my knee half buckled with excitement and fear I think I fooled the boys into believing I was the stuff soldiers were made of.

Gunny flashed me a knowing smile.

He either saw my gunning potential or wanted to assure me, or he was scared for his own safety. What do you think?

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk