The Royal Signals loves to celebrate our soldiers, especially when they achieve something extraordinary. Today, we want to spotlight LCpl James McCool, based at 30 Sig Regt in Nuneaton who is a Network Engineer, and has also excelled in another area.
James comes from a strong military family, with both his dad serving in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and his great grandfather in the Royal Artillery during WW2. After school in his hometown of Aberdeen, he attended the Army Apprentice College in Harrogate before starting his training with the Royal Signals. Since passing out, he has spent 4 months in Oman on OP CATTALO as well as exercises in Holland, Norway and Cyprus.
But he has also been busy focusing on his chosen sport of boxing, where he excelled, taking both Army champion and UKAF champion titles, and this season has been named as the captain of the Army Boxing Team.
His coach, SSgt Sadler, said, ‘LCpl McCool is a role model for the Army Boxing Team. Last season, he went from strength to strength, competing in competitions against civilian opposition and training in both Scotland and England. He was selected to represent the Army at the United Kingdom Armed Forces (UKAF) Championship and produced an outstanding performance to become the UKAF Light-middleweight Champion. LCpl McCool also reached the Semi-Finals of the Scottish National Championship's receiving a bronze medal. Selecting him as team captain for the 23/24 season was an easy choice, as his leadership qualities and charisma will bring out the best in those around him. LCpl McCool has a great amount of potential and I am confident he will go on to represent his country and become national champion.'
LCpl McCool said ‘Since joining the Royal Signals I have become a much more confident and well-rounded person. I love the army and what it can do for people.’
Commanding Officer, 30 Sig Regt, Lt Col J Carey said ‘“The whole regiment and I are extremely proud of having one of our junior leaders being appointed as the Army Boxing Captain in one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports in the world. As a (very amateur) boxer myself, I have an inkling of what is required of LCpl McCool; he has the right character, leadership, courage and technical skill to lead from the front. We wish him all the best, he has the support of the Royal Corps of Signals in his corner.”
Photographer LCpl Sam Links
