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An Officer and a Gentlewoman: The Making of a Female British Army Officer
When Heloise Goodley ditched her City job and decided to attend officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, she had no prior military experience. On her arrival she was a complete novice: she'd never fired a rifle; she couldn't march; she couldn't make her bed; she couldn't even shine her shoes. AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEWOMAN charts Goodley's absorbing journey through Sandhurst and on to Afghanistan, and gives an insight into the array of bizarre military behaviours and customs at this esoteric and hidden institution. With wit and sensitivity, Goodley details her experiences as a cadet and the painful transition from civilian to soldier. Moreover, she rejects lazy preconceptions and sheds new light on what has hitherto been a bastion of maleness - the British Army.
260 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
16 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Heloise Goodley
4 books1 followerWhen Héloïse Goodley quit her job as a City banker in 2007 and decided to attend officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, she had no prior military experience.
Since joining the Army, Héloïse Goodley has completed two operational tours of Afghanistan and currently holds the rank of captain as adjutant of an Apache helicopter regiment.
Since joining the Army, Héloïse Goodley has completed two operational tours of Afghanistan and currently holds the rank of captain as adjutant of an Apache helicopter regiment.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 23, 2012
An interesting and thought-provoking read, especially to someone with an insight of joining the British Army as an officer and even more so to members of that group who are female. I fall into this relatively small category and can say that although the book shed some light on aspects of life at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, it merely repeated what I have previously read in other books (such as The Junior Officers' Reading Club) and various documentaries.
While Goodley gives us a thorough background to her decision to enlist and ensures that she gives a personal spin on things, to me (as a young woman who has been indoctrinated with all things military for the past seven years) she seemed very weak and naïve at times, to the point where both myself and Goodley were asking if she was suitable for the job.
Nonetheless, the 'flashforward' to the present day given at both ends of the book shows that she has indeed succeeded since her time at RMAS and is an inspiring and somewhat useful too for women (and men!) aspiring to join this prestigious organisation.
Simply for the knowledge I gathered alone, and the refreshing perspective of RMAS from a woman's often critical yet intelligent point of view, I would recommend this to those heading in the direction of Old College, or those who simply want to know if women really can do a 'man's job'.
While Goodley gives us a thorough background to her decision to enlist and ensures that she gives a personal spin on things, to me (as a young woman who has been indoctrinated with all things military for the past seven years) she seemed very weak and naïve at times, to the point where both myself and Goodley were asking if she was suitable for the job.
Nonetheless, the 'flashforward' to the present day given at both ends of the book shows that she has indeed succeeded since her time at RMAS and is an inspiring and somewhat useful too for women (and men!) aspiring to join this prestigious organisation.
Simply for the knowledge I gathered alone, and the refreshing perspective of RMAS from a woman's often critical yet intelligent point of view, I would recommend this to those heading in the direction of Old College, or those who simply want to know if women really can do a 'man's job'.
June 5, 2012
Heloise Goodley left her lucrative City career to join the Army, and the book details her officer training at Sandhurst. She remains a serving officer, so this is far from an unexpurgated warts-and-all portrait. It provides an insight into training only; despite a couple of teasers, there's no follow-up into her operational career which (according to the dustjacket) includes two tours of Afghanistan.
Unfortunately the book is also marred by poor editing, with awkward sentences, homophone errors and more. This is my particular favourite:
Unfortunately the book is also marred by poor editing, with awkward sentences, homophone errors and more. This is my particular favourite:
I spent an entire Gap Year travelling around the world and never once kept an account of it for prosperity.As the Daily Telegraph put it, "Her copy editor, if she had one, should retire with a bottle of whisky and a gun." Terrible work by publisher Constable & Robinson.
January 16, 2013
Not a great deal of further insight into what happens at the world famous army training college - Sandhurst. Almost a bit too contrived in places.. However, towards the end it has a more heartfelt quality and became more real. An ideal read for mothers and fathers to understand what happens to their children when they go for military officer training. An easy and reasonable read.
January 14, 2013
this was a great read a real behind the scenes view of oficer training at sandhurst i enjoyed this very much
August 12, 2021
Heloise Goodley – An Officer and a Gentlewoman.
A surprisingly engaging read of an investment banker from the City throwing in her well paid but soul destroying job for joining the British army.
However, she first has to survive and successfully graduate from the one year (three term) Officer Training course at Sandhurst.
There are many junior officer books about service in the army; however, their coverage of officer training whether at West Point, Sandhurst or Duntroon is but a small part of the overall book.
An Officer and a Gentlewoman is all about Goodley’s application for and experience of her three terms at Sandhurst over eleven months
Her writing and story telling is self deprecating and humourous while showing self insight and vulnerability in a life changing year. From an initial dead end of attempting to join as a soldier to the rigours of three field exercises a term, just reading of her endeavours makes me feel tired.
She is part of Eleven platoon – approx 30 female officer cadets in Imjin company totalling 270 officer cadets. Some of the physical feats are mind boggling including carrying her own body weight in kit and weapons for a 8km insertion march at night on exercise.
You will like this easily readable and engaging book of limination
5 stars
A surprisingly engaging read of an investment banker from the City throwing in her well paid but soul destroying job for joining the British army.
However, she first has to survive and successfully graduate from the one year (three term) Officer Training course at Sandhurst.
There are many junior officer books about service in the army; however, their coverage of officer training whether at West Point, Sandhurst or Duntroon is but a small part of the overall book.
An Officer and a Gentlewoman is all about Goodley’s application for and experience of her three terms at Sandhurst over eleven months
Her writing and story telling is self deprecating and humourous while showing self insight and vulnerability in a life changing year. From an initial dead end of attempting to join as a soldier to the rigours of three field exercises a term, just reading of her endeavours makes me feel tired.
She is part of Eleven platoon – approx 30 female officer cadets in Imjin company totalling 270 officer cadets. Some of the physical feats are mind boggling including carrying her own body weight in kit and weapons for a 8km insertion march at night on exercise.
You will like this easily readable and engaging book of limination
5 stars
September 18, 2021
The only book I'm aware of that almost solely documents one cadet's experiences of Sandhurst, with little either side. Goodley at one point deviates a little too much by discussing her personal views about women in the army, but other than that a good solid read and an insight into the little written about RMAS.
The editor could have performed better, as has been documented elsewhere - but if you can ignore some schoolgirl mistakes, it is a moreish read and funny in places.
Once does ponder to what extent this would be a different read if Goodley was no longer serving when the book was written - one assumes that certain rules are to be followed when writing about the army when you're, you know, in the army.
A second book about Goodley's career post-RMAS would be interesting.
Recommend this for soon-to-be officers, family of those attending the course and anyone who is just a bit nosey about what goes on behind the fence.
The editor could have performed better, as has been documented elsewhere - but if you can ignore some schoolgirl mistakes, it is a moreish read and funny in places.
Once does ponder to what extent this would be a different read if Goodley was no longer serving when the book was written - one assumes that certain rules are to be followed when writing about the army when you're, you know, in the army.
A second book about Goodley's career post-RMAS would be interesting.
Recommend this for soon-to-be officers, family of those attending the course and anyone who is just a bit nosey about what goes on behind the fence.
April 24, 2024
What a book! This was recommended to me as motivational and it really was. Heloise charts her career change from city banker to Army officer, and her self-deprecating account of her struggles through Sandhurst somehow sound so much more hunan and real than other contemporary accounts.
I love the centering of the female experience as an officer cadet, and how women will respond differently to violence and the physical demands usually only made of men.
Would recommend to anyone even if, like me, you have no desire to join the Army
I love the centering of the female experience as an officer cadet, and how women will respond differently to violence and the physical demands usually only made of men.
Would recommend to anyone even if, like me, you have no desire to join the Army
December 13, 2020
An account of a young ladies changing life.
A lady who grasped an opportunity to fulfill her life rather than have it wasted doing a job she was unhappy with. The hard work and dedication comes through in every chapter. This story would insight any young person to evaluate their future.
A lady who grasped an opportunity to fulfill her life rather than have it wasted doing a job she was unhappy with. The hard work and dedication comes through in every chapter. This story would insight any young person to evaluate their future.
December 29, 2023
Now slightly out of date, but a great insight into the life of a career changing, non-military family woman going through RMAS. In specific, I enjoyed the perspective of a woman who had no previous military experience, is a refreshing and singular perspective.
I read it twice , back to back and finished it in a couple days! I couldn't put it down.
I read it twice , back to back and finished it in a couple days! I couldn't put it down.
July 31, 2021
The female perspective of Sandhurst RMA
A good representation of what it's like for women to attend THE Sandhurst. The trials tribulations and resilience required to achieve the ultimate goal a commission into the British Army.
A good representation of what it's like for women to attend THE Sandhurst. The trials tribulations and resilience required to achieve the ultimate goal a commission into the British Army.
March 14, 2024
Quite a good book. It gives deep insight into the British Army officer training that took place at Sandhurst in the early 2000s. More specifically, it helps us understand the way this training was perceived, understood, and completed by female cadets.
March 6, 2017
First Class Read
Heloise takes us on a her journey from city high flyer to freshly minted Sandhurst graduate.
The triumphs, trials and troubles... The pain of exercises in the bitter, freezing cold hills and joy of succeeding. It's all included.
One of the best military "memoirs" have ever read. Even after reading it a third time I still loved it and found it hard to put down.
Heloise takes us on a her journey from city high flyer to freshly minted Sandhurst graduate.
The triumphs, trials and troubles... The pain of exercises in the bitter, freezing cold hills and joy of succeeding. It's all included.
One of the best military "memoirs" have ever read. Even after reading it a third time I still loved it and found it hard to put down.
October 7, 2021
Female Officer perspective had been massively missing from what I have been reading so this was great.
July 9, 2014
It's always interesting to read about life behind that barbed wire fence. I don't get much of an opportunity to go there now. When I was little, there was always an endless stream of Army kids inviting you to their house and I always struggled to understand the rules in there. We were not allowed to cross certain roads or go to certain places which is hard for a kid because that place is full of cool places kids want to explore.
I certainly couldn't have done what Héloise has done, given up her well paid city job for life in the army. Her parents and friend must have thought she was mad. I've read 'The Junior Officers' Reading Club' and it seems like Héloise had less freedom than the guy in that book. She never pops out into the local area, which was a slight disappointment as I wanted to see a bit more of the Sandhurst I know.
The field exersises sound horrific. The gas one....a life in the army is not for me! Fair play to her for getting through all of them. I normaly think of Army girls with being tough and tomboyish to begin with but it's nice to see that even your average girl could give it a shot. Felt for her when she started talking about loosing her feminine side. And how men are considered a better catch when they put on the uniform but women are seen as less so. Also the pay! £62 a day! What!? Like she said, you get more flipping burgers at McDonalds. Thats a disgrace. And she's training to be an officer, I dread to think what the common solider gets. It's not right.
This book is never dull and it won't take you long to get through it, it would have been nice to have a bit more about her experences in Afghanistan but maybe in the next book?
Random irritations - She keeps calling the Tesco where I work Camberley Tesco. It's actually Tesco Extra Sandhurst. This really bugs me, people get this wrong all the time and I think because I work there I feel a bit protective over it's real name. Even on it's Bookcrossing zone, someone has entered it wrong! Grrr! And she keeps saying Sandhurst is in Surrey, it's not. It's in Berkshire. Where was the editor!? These things probably won't bug you if you have no attachment to these places. Rant over.
I certainly couldn't have done what Héloise has done, given up her well paid city job for life in the army. Her parents and friend must have thought she was mad. I've read 'The Junior Officers' Reading Club' and it seems like Héloise had less freedom than the guy in that book. She never pops out into the local area, which was a slight disappointment as I wanted to see a bit more of the Sandhurst I know.
The field exersises sound horrific. The gas one....a life in the army is not for me! Fair play to her for getting through all of them. I normaly think of Army girls with being tough and tomboyish to begin with but it's nice to see that even your average girl could give it a shot. Felt for her when she started talking about loosing her feminine side. And how men are considered a better catch when they put on the uniform but women are seen as less so. Also the pay! £62 a day! What!? Like she said, you get more flipping burgers at McDonalds. Thats a disgrace. And she's training to be an officer, I dread to think what the common solider gets. It's not right.
This book is never dull and it won't take you long to get through it, it would have been nice to have a bit more about her experences in Afghanistan but maybe in the next book?
Random irritations - She keeps calling the Tesco where I work Camberley Tesco. It's actually Tesco Extra Sandhurst. This really bugs me, people get this wrong all the time and I think because I work there I feel a bit protective over it's real name. Even on it's Bookcrossing zone, someone has entered it wrong! Grrr! And she keeps saying Sandhurst is in Surrey, it's not. It's in Berkshire. Where was the editor!? These things probably won't bug you if you have no attachment to these places. Rant over.
August 10, 2015
Quite enjoyed this easy to read tale of a female going through officer training at Sandhurst. Quitting her banking job, Heloise Goodley joins the Army through officer training. This is her tale of Sandhurst and is told with honesty, wit and determination. Sandhurst was a voyage of self-discovery for her amongst the absurdity of some of the training and conditioning. Althought obviously vetted by the Army, this book still gives you a perspective of how tough the taining is and you can not help but admire the determination required to make it through. Some of the training seems very dated and I was surprised how little "leadership" training there was but you can very mush see how the Army is "the sum of its parts" and is a well oiled machine. I would have liked to hear more about her time in the field to contrast this to her training and what she was taught but it does sound like the Army has given her a sense of belonging and purpose and she has more guts and determination than most of the rest of us.
July 11, 2012
Heloise Goodley had a well-paid job in a City bank but was unfulfilled. Almost on an impulse, she joined the army and found herself as a trainee officer at Sandhurst. While there she kept a diary which became the basis for this book.
It is a straightforward account of twelve hard months - dawn parades, hectoring instructors, inspections and exercises to the point of exhaustion and beyond. At times the author questions the relevance of her training to the role of the army today but she does not doubt that the leadership skills it is designed to develop are valid and valuable.
Captain Goodley, as she now is, writes fluently and without affectation. It is a good record to have, and the more useful in that it gives the less often heard female view.
It is a straightforward account of twelve hard months - dawn parades, hectoring instructors, inspections and exercises to the point of exhaustion and beyond. At times the author questions the relevance of her training to the role of the army today but she does not doubt that the leadership skills it is designed to develop are valid and valuable.
Captain Goodley, as she now is, writes fluently and without affectation. It is a good record to have, and the more useful in that it gives the less often heard female view.
August 31, 2012
Goodley left a job in the city to face the challenges of the army. This story is about her transformation from a civilian to a soldier, a dairy that won a medal from her training days. With all due respect to her bringing out the good and the bad of a highly guarded world, I was a little disappointed about not hearing the Afghanistan side of the story. Details of her combat story appear to my dry and repetitive in the sense that the reader gets it that it’s all tough…very tough, but beyond that, it can all be blurred. It would have been nice to hear the more human side of the train, for that’s what the outside world fails to see. And I must admit that some of her views in point just didn’t make sense. With all due respect for her tough job, Goodley fails to pass on the experience.
June 17, 2015
Quite an enjoyable insight into the generally hidden world of Sandhurst, although there have been some excellent documentaries on it recently. Her style is chatty and interesting but there were some typos and she does have a tendency to introduce an anecdote and then move on to something else, whilst other sections can be a bit repetitive. kind of wish there was more about her army career but I guess that would be another book!
August 20, 2015
For me, this was a highly personal read; I could not put the book down. Goodley writes brilliantly, and I indeed found myself laughing out loud on the tube. Sandhurst sounds absolutely brutal in many respects: soul-destroying at first, but character-building and worth every bit of blood, sweat and tears by the end. Thank you, Goodley, for a most inspiring and uplifting read.
"When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today". Amen.
"When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today". Amen.
March 17, 2016
Robert Heinlein said that the army make things as difficult as possible on purpose while they are training you, and it doesn't look as if much has changed.
I enjoyed this book, although I skipped some of the detailed descriptions of the drills and exercises. The author is insightful enough to make for an interesting tale. She's very clear on the values the army instill, and how she changed and why. I think anyone considering joining up would find it fascinating.
I enjoyed this book, although I skipped some of the detailed descriptions of the drills and exercises. The author is insightful enough to make for an interesting tale. She's very clear on the values the army instill, and how she changed and why. I think anyone considering joining up would find it fascinating.
May 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this book - though it was pretty clear that she had to give it a positive spin if she wanted to keep her job - so there wasn't a feeling of getting the whole story. It reminded me a lot of the Academy in Sherwood Smith's Inda, which I guess is because Smith did such a good job of the fictional one.
July 27, 2012
I liked this book. Heloise Goodley went from her fat-paycheck-City-job to the perils of UK Army in her quest for "something real in life". And through exhaustion, pain, sleep-deprivation she got out of Sandhurst an Officer of the Royal Brithish Army.
April 11, 2014
Brilliant, funny, informative and made me very very glad that was not a career option for me. But it gave me insight into what my sister went through and confirmed that I am totally soft...which I am very very happy about.
Couldn't recommend this more highly.
Couldn't recommend this more highly.
May 25, 2012
Not earthshattering, only about boot camp. This has been done before, it would have been nicer to have the Afghanistan story.
July 4, 2012
Interesting insight into army life let down by poor proofing (kindle edition)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews