Coming back to the family farm keeps me grounded, says army sergeant 

For Rob, the family farm in Suffolk is the reliable base he returns to during breaks from the army – and he plans his time off deliberately to coincide with busy times on the farm so he can help out.

Having joined the army at 19 as a self-proclaimed “country bumpkin”, he jokes that he’s the “black sheep of the family” as his brother and sister both work in agriculture full time. 

But there’s always been a blend of both farming and army within the family – two of his great uncles were in the forces, while the third brother got into pig farming after an injury prevented him from joining. Rob’s uncle also served for four years before having to return to the farm. 

It was this family link and seeing news coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that prompted him to sign up. 

After a 10-year army career which started in Colchester, Rob has now come full circle back to the city, where he’s an armourer with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), serving with the 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps.

Balancing army and farming 

Being just 28 miles from the family farm in Suffolk makes it easier to balance army and farming – and there’s something grounding about coming back home, he explains.

“Coming back to the farm after doing something in another country, you realise nothing’s changed – Dad’s still talking about the weather. It keeps you grounded.”

Getting out into nature and doing practical tasks around the farm, especially after spending a lot of time behind a desk, is another benefit.

Rob has kept a finger on the pulse of farming, as well as a proficiency in new machinery. “It’s a bit of cheap labour for my old man which always keeps him sweet,” he adds.

Whilst the two careers may seem largely unrelated, Rob says there’s a lot of crossover in terms of skills and learning to use new technology or equipment. 

Plus, having grown up on the farm he was already accustomed to hard work in all weather conditions, and missing out on parties or holidays with friends when farm work called.

“Everything had a purpose back home and then obviously in the military everything’s got a purpose as well. So it goes hand in hand,” he said.

For those with a rural background who are looking to get into the military, Rob’s advice is: if you think you’re not the person the military is looking for, you absolutely are.

Future of farming

Despite only planning to serve for four years, Rob has been in the army for 10 years, with an 18-month gap in the middle for travelling. 

Commenting on whether the future holds more farming or army, Rob said: “We’re going to see how the next couple of years goes. I’m really enjoying managing the new guys and the young lads and letting my experiences rub off on them and guide them a bit.

“It’s also a great opportunity to do a bit more back at the farm like building and renovating the old barns and things.”

When the time comes to leave the military, whenever that may be, Rob notes that farming could well look very different. 

“Is it going to be mostly arable farming when I get out, or is it going to be more a place where the buildings are rented out to different businesses; or is it going to be mostly cattle? 

“But I love to keep my hand in it in some way. I like to be involved because it’s critical to the management of the countryside, not just producing food, but maintaining the fields, hedges, ditches and animals.”

READ MORE: Back British Farming Day: Farmers ranked UK’s second most respected profession
READ MORE: Andrew Ward transforms his farming business following challenging years for British farmers   

Diversifying will be increasingly important for farming, he added, and the Duchesne family already have a Christmas farm shop, while Rob’s brother recently introduced just under 50 cows to the farm – dairy crosses, Aberdeen Angus and Ruby Reds – utilising some unused meadowland for grazing. The organic beef will be sold to local butchers and hotels.

Commenting on the challenges facing agriculture, Rob said it’s important to “worry about what you can control and don’t waste effort on things you can’t control”. The family plans to do more educational events, opening up the farm to schools and the general public.

A fresh set of eyes 

While he’s still “a bit too up and active” to sit in a tractor for too long, Rob says he is trying to help with research as agriculture, like all other industries, increasingly adopts new technology. 

“Having a different set of eyes on the same problem is a massive help and I think my time in the military has definitely given me a different perspective on things that you see every day on the farm.”

Finally, asked what Remembrance Day means to him, Rob shares that it brings up “a very wide range of emotions”.

He adds: “It’s like a flag post in the in the year to remember everyone that’s not with us anymore. It’s a good way to get the lads together and pay your respects and all the veterans can get their medals on to remember what all those years they put into it really mean.”

Read more rural news.