Private Hynde Ritchies, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, with her military working dog Neil
[Picture: Corporal Steve Blake RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
Private Hynde Ritchies of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps is currently deployed to Afghanistan where her main role is to carry out security patrols at Camp Bastion and the military base at Lashkar Gah with her military working dog Neil.
Her role also includes securing the military compounds at Kabul as part of a regional rotation of Theatre Military Working Dog Support Unit taskings in Afghanistan.
During a routine security search in Kabul recently, Private Ritchies, who is just 18, could sense the mood of the crowd she was dealing with rapidly changing.
Private Ritchies explained:
"The crowd had formed initially to queue for temporary employment with coalition forces - a normal occurrence for normal activity on a normal Kabul day.
"However, the gathering had been a little larger than normal, with over 100 Afghanistan local hopefuls trying to be chosen for just seven jobs.
"So for the majority of people in that crowd it was not going to be a lucky day.
"You could feel the tension in the crowd and it wasn't long before fighting broke out within the group.
"It's at times like this when the adrenalin kicks in.
"However, Neil and I were able to take control by a show of force. Along with other members of the search team, my section was able to quell the situation and ensure that the crowd quickly dispersed."
Private Ritchies said that while it was an intimidating experience she could understand the frustrations of the crowd:
"They just want to make a better life for themselves," she said.
"Hopefully more opportunities will come along as we the British, and the other forces, Afghan and ISAF, deliver improved security throughout the country."
Private Ritchies is now looking forward to finishing off her tour, which comes to a close at the end of March; her final duties will be patrolling the base at Camp Bastion with Neil.
While she wishes to reassure her parents that 'I am as safe as houses', this plucky young soldier is ensuring the safety of others:
"It is easy when I have Neil to look after me", she laughs. "I am really, really going to miss him when I go home."