UK: 24 hours in the life of Lt Col Richard Iron.

The commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment plays many roles in the course of a day.

Last year, at the comparatively tender age of 40, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Iron was appointed commanding officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR), an armoured infantry division stationed at Bourlon barracks at Catterick camp. A graduate in engineering from Cambridge, he brings to the position a wide diversity of experience both practical and theoretical with particular emphasis on weaponry and its transformation in the age of technology. Spells in Oman, at the Army Staff College, an exchange year at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and inside the Ministry of Defence have all added to his portfolio of skills. He is responsible for the 625 members of the battalion - all but a handful male - including 39 officers and 120 soldiers with families.