Foreword
The British army has never been better trained, equipped and prepared for conflict, but that doesn’t stop the reality of a tour of duty being every bit as dangerous as it ever was. Conflict hasn’t stopped taking its toll both emotionally and physically. James Cartwright has experienced one of the most hostile and dangerous areas of conflict of the present war. The work of snipers is crucial to so many current military operations. What he successfully conveys in Sniper in Helmand is the real feeling of being in a war zone. He tells it how it is to the reader – allowing them to experience the tactical decisions, pressures, acts of courage and of sacrifice that serving men and women go through each and every day.
Like me, James Cartwright started his army career as a boy soldier. We passed through many of the same establishments and I’m sure got bawled at by many similar RSMs along the way! We have both experienced the harsh reality of war zones and come home battle scarred emotionally and physically. Like him, I’d like to pay tribute to the men and women out there in the various war zones, the families left at home and also the many professionals who play such a vital role in the emotional and physical recovery.