Life in an army training camp is crazy busy, but it's not just all running around, of course. Actually, it's rare to find two days the same, though they're all a mix of classes and physical training, tests and chores. I suppose it stops us from getting bored. And they do have to cram quite a lot of stuff into our heads to make sure we're safe to join our regular units after five weeks of training.

We've only been here three weeks, but they've really thrown a lot of stuff at us already. There's basic weapons training, and classes about camouflage and protection. There's cleaning and gym and practising first aid. There's the assault course and there's drill. With arms and without. We've started going on marches now, too, lugging all of our kit and practising setting up camp before returning home.

And now, there's swimming. Which isn't nearly as fun as it sounds if you have to do it fully dressed. And when you're being timed. Two minutes staying afloat, then six lengths of the pool… and if you don't make time you get to run a few laps around the parade ground in your wet clothes and then retake the test.

As far as incentives go, this is an effective one. Because it's cold out.