Author Andy McNab, who wrote Bravo Two Zero, an account of his experiences as an SAS soldier during the Gulf War, and eight other best-selling books, told soldiers in Tidworth that he owed his success as a writer to the Army.

He was speaking as part of an event organised by 10 Army Education Corps called ‘The Big Read’ in which young soldiers in the garrison are being encouraged to improve their literacy skills. He said that when he joined the Army at 16 in 1984 he had the reading ability of a ten-year-old and the first book he actually finished was a ‘Janet and John’ reader.

“I didn’t realise how bad my literary skills were until I joined the Army,” he explained, “And the only reason why I couldn’t read and write is because I didn’t read and write. That really changed my life and I saw that everyone has a better chance of succeeding if they’re smart. ”

He said that he continued his education during his Army career with the Royal Green Jackets, and after joining the Special Forces was sent to Bristol University where he learnt Swahili and Spanish.

“I felt very privileged to be a Junior Soldier,” he said. “I went in with a reading age of under 11 and had been in Juvenile Detention in North London. My books have been more successful than I ever thought possible and it is all thanks to the Army.”

“Don’t forget,” he told his audience, “It’s all about getting smart.”