In 1984 I left the Sea Cadet Corps in Stockton on Tees where I was the Commanding Officer after 13 years service and joined the Royal Military Police, Territorial Army. I passed out as a military policeman but there was no room for another officer so I transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Territorial Army and began officer training. I passed out of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as Second Lieutenant Alan Caig RAOC on 15 June 1986.I served in the TA for 10 years and transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers for a further 5 years. My last appointment was Battalion Staff Officer Combat Supplies, 2 Ordnance Battalion. 

As a commissioned officer I qualified as a Shooting Range Officer and obtained the Joint Services Mountain Expedition Leader qualification and took on events as a British Canoe Union Kayak Coach. .