WORKING in intense heat, under extreme pressure is not everyone's idea of a perfect job.

For Lance Corporal Matt Riddell, 27, of Abergavenny, hot weather and heavy demands go with the territory of his dream profession. After serving six months in Afghanistan with The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) Matt is travelling home to receive a hero's welcome from his friends and family. 

Lance Corporal Riddell is the only Welshman in the Troop and has been working as part of B Squadron based out in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, where the SCOTS DG has been working with other UK troops to provide a secure environment, allowing the country's reconstruction and development to continue.

His six month tour is his fifth operational tour since joining the Army in 1999. Matt transferred to the Regiment two years ago from the Royal Army Medical Corps after having served with Scotland's Cavalry as a Medic in Iraq. His role on Op HERRICK 8 has been as a Scimitar gunner and also part of his Troop's mine detection team based in the Sangin area of Helmand Province.

Matt says, "It's been a long hard tour with plenty of mental and physical challenges along the way, but I am now looking forward to being home in Wales with a pint."

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is Scotland's most senior Regiment and the only Regiment of Cavalry. Formed in 1971 from the Union of the 3rd Carabiniers and the Royal Scots Greys, the SCOTS DG represents the rich history of three ancient Regiments.  Since 1971, the Regiment has seen active service in Northern Ireland, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq (2003 and 2006) and the rich history has ensured that the Regiment and its predecessors have been present at nearly every major battle of the last 300 years. The SCOTS DG has a base in Fallingbostel, Germany, as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, the famous Desert Rats. Through the Royal Scots Greys, the SCOTS DG is the oldest surviving Cavalry of the Line in the British Army.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards will release their second Pipes and Drums album – 'Spirit of the Glen: Encore' on December 1. Established in 1946, the pipe band is one of the best in the British Army and has been placed among the top 15 outstanding pipe bands in the world. In 2007 the band reached number 1 in the classical chart with their first album  'Spirit of the Glen'.