Sergeant Major Andy Winnett

"Without a doubt I'd recommend the OU to colleagues, if not for self-interest then for future careers."
 
Sergeant Major Andy Winnett

• Warrant Officer
• Regimental Catering
• Catterick, North Yorkshire
• 40 years old
• Currently completing BA Open Degree

 
Courses studied:
Y001, T171, A103, DD100, A215, A200, AA312
 
"I've been based in Catterick for three years. I started studying with the OU in 2001. It was mainly out of self-interest really, self-development and self-improvement.
 
"I've been working towards a BA Open Degree. When I pass the Level 3 History course I'm doing now, then I'm qualified for a BA Open. Why did I choose a career in the Forces? Good question! I joined the army cadets when I was 13 and I got into it in that way. When I used to go away at weekends I enjoyed working in the kitchens, so I joined the Army as a chef and worked my way up to being a regimental catering manager. Fitting in my studies has been difficult at times. When I first started I was in Cyprus. For my Humanities course I was in Iraq. For the Social Sciences course I was in South Armagh. And last year I was in Iraq again. But having the support of my tutor online and the First Class forum has been really useful. I interact on First Class when I feel it's necessary, but a lot of the time I just browse. It's great for getting titbits for assignments. My tutors were very supportive. There were quite a few times I had to get extensions for assignments. I was even able to use the online TMA (Tutor Marked Assignment) system when I was in Iraq.
 
Without a doubt I'd recommend the OU to colleagues, if not for self-interest then for future careers. I think taking time out for self-improvement and studying with the OU shows any future employer you've got self-determination.
 
At times it has been a struggle, especially in Iraq in the baking heat! And at home you've got to work around the family. My wife is very understanding though; she badgers me to get down to work. I usually put in 20 hours a week. I do a few hours every day, or I try to! I went to tutorials on my Humanities course and two weeks ago I went to a tutorial in Newcastle. It was very useful fact-finding and information gathering with other students and getting face-to-face time with your tutor. It's good because you get to meet a diverse mix of the public.
I'm out of the Army next year, so depending what employment I get in the future we'see if I use my degree. People have been asking me a lot what I'm going to do; I'm undecided yet. I' like to get Honours for this BA degree.
 
Through the Army I gained a Diploma in Management. I was able to use this towards the credits for my OU degree, which was quite good. I'm always telling the guys who work with me to do a course with the OU."