A FORMER Commando who helped bring down Saddam Hussein has set his sights on becoming a primary school teacher.

David Evans served in Kosovo, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq before leaving the Army in February as a warrant officer first class.

Since then, the 48-year-old has struggled to adjust to civilian life, suffering some mental health issues.

But he is now learning new skills at Finchale Training College, near Durham City, and has set himself the long-term goal of teaching.

“Throughout my Army career I saw myself as an educator,” Mr Evans, who lives near Durham, said.

“I used to think of my soldiers as my little pupils, so I’d like to make the transition from military teaching to civilian teaching.

“There are a lot of broken homes out there and children growing up in a single parent environment without a real male role model.”

The Settle-born veteran hopes to start the two-year Troops to Teachers programme next September.

Mr Evans signed up to the Royal Engineers aged 17 and then joined 3 Commandos, serving in Norway and Germany before returning to civvy street in 1994.

He rejoined the Army in 1998 in the Royal Logistics Corps and during 15 years’ service saw several tours of duty in Afghanistan and was involved in the invasion of Iraq in spring 2003.

On readjusting to civilian life, he said: “I’m completely programmed to be a soldier so I struggled when I left in February.

“Soldiers, at whatever level, that have survived operations have their own little demons.

“Thankfully there are some other ex-soldiers here (at Finchale) and I’ve got that support network.

“Soldiers speak a different language, so it’s good to be able to talk to one another.”

Mr Evans has completed courses in using mowers and machinery and is now studying horticulture. He hopes to become an accredited assessor.

“I’m loving it. It’s absolutely fantastic here,” he said.

Mr Evans is also supported by the Phoenix House recovery centre at Catterick Garrison.

Today (Tuesday, December 9), the City of Durham Freemen made an £800 donation to the Mayor of Durham’s charity appeal, which is supporting Finchale Training College.