Second Lieutenant Olly O'Sullivan - Senior Subaltern

I joined the UOTC after my brother and sister, who went to Northumbria and Oxford UOTCs respectively, highly recommended it.

They told me all about the opportunities which were available in terms of adventurous training, travel and sport.

I found the UOTC stand at our Freshers' Fair and, although I was initially put off by my lack of military experience, I signed up straightaway. Once on the Selection Weekend, I discovered that I wasn't the only one without any previous military experience and that it wasn't necessary to have any at all.

I enjoy all aspects of UOTC life. The military side of things is so different to normal student life and I get a real sense of achievement after a demanding UOTC weekend or exercise.

Plus, when you return home and see your housemates lazing in front of the TV for yet another weekend, you really feel that you are making the most of your time at university.

The adventurous training is fantastic: I have been skiing in France, wave riding in Cornwall, sailing in the Solent, climbing in Bavaria and kayaking in Wales, Scotland and Dartmoor.

I simply would not have been able to find all these opportunities in any other university society.

The UOTC is able to take you from complete novice all the way up to an instructor in most of the activities on offer. All the sport and the social events on offer are just an added bonus!

During my 5 years I have achieved a lot and gained many qualifications including my driving license, an instructional techniques qualification, basic ski and ski touring proficiency award, 2-star kayaking and numerous other military qualifications.

But above all of these I have developed and honed my leadership skills making me far more employable. The pinnacle of my leadership training was my commissioning at Sandhurst following a very demanding 3-week course, which will long stay in my memory.

I have also made some lasting friendships. I have been asked to lead unit teams in different competitions, both sporting and military, which really puts your leadership training under serious pressure.

I have also organised and led a battlefield tour to Belgium.

As the senior subaltern at Liverpool UOTC I have several representative roles - the latest was speaking an employers' event as the warm up act for the Duke of Westminster - what next?!

I would strongly recommend the UOTC to everybody as the opportunities offered are unparalleled elsewhere. As we are paid, you don't have to get a part-time job and the extra benefits and perks associated with being a member of Liverpool UOTC far outstrip any other student organisation.

There is so much on offer, so many different challenges available, and so many laughs to be had. Joining the UOTC was the best move I made as a student!