SWINDON soldier Michael O'Brien says life is great in the Army.

In fact he thinks it's so good that he's back in the town this week to tell other young men that they will not regret it if they sign on the dotted line.

Michael, 21, whose home is at Penhill, is serving in Northern Ireland at the moment with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.

And he's doing so well that his commanding officer chose him to take part in a "satisfied soldier" scheme which is currently being organised from the Army's recruiting office in Church Place.

This will involve him in meeting and talking to would-be recruits about what life is like in today's modern army.

The RGBW recruits many of its men from the Swindon area and Michael joined up as an infantryman shortly after leaving Commonweal School.

He said: "I wanted to be in the infantry because a lot of my mates from around Swindon were already serving with the Battalion and it's a decision I have never regretted."

At the moment Michael is a Private but will shortly be taking a course to become an NCO.

He admits one of the main attractions of a soldier's life for him is the numerous possibilities to travel.

Already he has served with the RGBW in Kosovo and Northern Ireland and has also visited several other countries including Belize, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mexico, the USA and Ascension Island.

At the moment he has another six months to serve at Abercorn Barracks, Ballykinlar barracks in Northern Ireland where the RGBW are performing ongoing peace keeping duties.

This has seen them helping to keep public order during the annual Loyalist Drumcree Marching season which is centred on the bridge at Drumcree where soldiers were pelted with bottles, bricks and fireworks.

Said Michael: "In the army we are doing different things all the time and there is lots of opportunities to travel. It's a good life and I can recommend it to anyone.

"There is also the chance to take up hobbies and sports and I enjoy boxing and diving in the sea."

He said that after all expenses have been paid including food a private in the army can expect to take home around £900 a month.

Full details about life in the army can be obtained from the Army Careers Infor-mation Office on Swindon 523251.