Most 22-year-olds are studying and contemplating future careers - Atif Shahzad was doing the same until the Army recruitment team arrived at Bradford College.

So impressed was the 22-year-old IT student by what he saw that he decided to join up. Now he's encouraging others to do the same.

Travel was one incentive for swapping classroom studies for Army life. But Atif hasn't given up on his education. He says another appeal of joining up was that he could continue studying while rising through the ranks; his ambition is to become a sergeant.

"I wanted to join the Army because I wanted a job I could be proud of. I also wanted to wear a uniform and it's a good career to have," says Atif.

After completing his GCSEs and talking with the Army recruitment team at college, Atif went to the Army Careers office in his home city of Bradford.

"They showed me the options and the jobs available. I chose the Royal Artillery because I wanted to be a driver and also I could do my NVQ in communications. I fancied using the radio and communications as a signaller."

Atif says Army life is also good grounding for life back out on civvy street'. Qualifications obtained with the Army are recognisable in industry.

"It's beneficial because you get lots of qualifications and training which you can use in civilian life," he says.

Joining up in March, the last few months have been taken up with intensive training. The first phase was 14 weeks learning weapon handling; nuclear, biological and chemical warfare in defence; map reading and marching at the Army Training Regiment, Pirbright.

His second phase of training, focusing on driving and radio communications at Larkhill School of Gunnery, fell during Ramadan, the religious month in which Muslims fast during the hours of daylight, but Atif was given special dispensation to help with his fasting.

Such was Atif's performance during training that he and seven others were recommended for specialist physical training. This will prepare him for his forthcoming Commando course in Plymouth.

Soldiers are highly trained for a career in combat. Atif has yet to be sent into battle but says he, like his colleagues, is ready and willing... it goes with the territory.

"I've been trained to do my job and I will do my job with honesty," he says. "It is your job and that is what you join up for. You get the training to do your job and you can see the world, which is also part of your job - and you're being paid."

Staff Sergeant Shamin Ahmed, office manager at Bradford's Army Careers Office, echoes Atif's view of the Army being a fantastic career opportunity and hopes it will encourage more young people to follow in his footsteps. "We would like more young people to consider the Army," he says.

For more information, call the Bradford Army Careers Office on (01274) 726661, visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk or text ARMY to 6110.