A COUNCIL computer specialist was honoured for 18 years of service to the Territorial Army.

Simon Longman, 34, was presented with a special citation by the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Captain Michael Fulford-Dobson at a ceremony at County Hall in Dorchester.

The citation read: 'Rising through the ranks, he has consistently been amongst the best in the battalion and has simultaneously done much to raise the military profile within the county.

'With inimitable charm and persuasiveness he has ensured that the TA and the county's largest employer are closely linked.'

Mr Longman said his military career had taken him across Europe and America, and more recently on a six-month tour in Iraq. He described his time in the country as a Sergeant Major for the Devon and Dorset Rifle Volunteers as 'traumatic' and 'stressful'.

Mr Longman, from Dorchester, who is married with two daughters, said he had been part of a group that was ambushed while travelling in Basra. "One guy who was with us was shot and we had to get him airlifted out. I suppose instinct takes over, training kicks in and you try and extract yourself as fast as possible."

The Basra Palace, where he was employed to oversee 80 men, was regularly attacked with mortars.

He said: "The TA was nothing more than a hobby, but as you rise up through the ranks it migrates into a position where people are relying on you. It becomes a necessity to turn up." He added his wife Lynn had always taken his military travelling in her stride.

Mr Longman, who joined Dorset County Council at the same time as the TA, said that the jobs were two extremes. "When you do one you forget about the other. Apart from the odd phone call, never the two shall meet."

He added that his military life did have an influence outside of the Army.

"There's about 18 years of being exposed to the Army mentality which has to rub off. It's a confidence boost - you can call on experience and say if you can do that, then you can do this."