A SOLDIER recently back from Iraq is to take on one of the top jobs with his regiment.

Steve Hall will take over the reins as the regimental sergeant major with the 1st Battalion of the Green Howards next month.

The 39-year-old, from Thornton-le-Dale, in North Yorkshire, volunteered for service in the Gulf, and was attached to 3 Commando Brigade for three-and-a-half months.

He was part of the UK Civil Affairs Group, which worked alongside fighting troops to assess civilian infrastructure.

His work included liaising with local leaders to make assessments of the needs of people, and assessing the capabilities of electricity, water and other essential utilities.

He spent time assessing the strategically important port of Umm Qasr, and also worked in Basra.

The groups he was working with came under attack several times, and he used his infantry skills to join in defensive actions.

He said: "In some of the places we went to, water was the most pressing need, especially in temperatures regularly up to 44 degrees centigrade, and we helped with the distribution of water to the local people.

"We were also allowed to purchase school equipment such as books and pencils, as well as footballs, which we distributed to schools in Basra."

He takes over as RSM for the Green Howards at their base in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, where he will help prepare for their move in February to Chepstow.

From there, the battalion will retrain for jungle warfare, which will include several months in Belize.

The Green Howards will be the Army's rapid reaction jungle force.