In some ways, Sam Shepherd's life is like any other. The 33-year-old blonde loves her job, is climbing the career ladder, enjoys letting her hair down with family and friends, indulges in a little pampering when she gets a chance, and avoids creepy crawlies as much as the next person.

In other ways though, life couldn't be more different. There have been times when, never mind a manicure, Sam has waited 10 days to have a shower and wash her hair. She's gone day after day without changing her clothes, and has had stints of months when she's had no contact with family or friends. This is what life is like living in a war zone.

It's been four years since Major Sam Shepherd last fought in Iraq. First deployed there in 2003 before the war started, she was on her second tour of duty in Basra in 2004 when Saddam Hussein was captured.

Since returning, she's taken an army office job 'just like any other in the civilian world'. But, three years on, and just weeks after the first British service woman to be killed in action in Afghanistan has been buried, Sam's talking about her return to either Iraq or Afghanistan. And, to her family's distress, she wouldn't have it any other way.

It is 12 years since Sam officially joined the army, completing a year at Sandhurst military academy before being commissioned into the Royal Artillery, the branch of the Army best known for guns, rockets, and locating enemy targets. But, she can't remember a time when it wasn't a huge part of her life.

The obsession began at age seven, watching Private Benjamin, according to her mother. By 14, she had applied for an army scholarship, and went on to receive financial sponsorship from age 16, right through university, until joining the army full-time.

"Were I to die tomorrow for Queen and country, I could deal with that. The only thing I worry about is what I would put my family through."

Her first experience of combat was in Northern Ireland, which she admits was scary, not because of the life or death situations (Sam was there at the time of the Omagh bombing), but 'because you're a young officer with soldiers under your command for the first time, and you want to keep them alive and do well'.

It was that same feeling, she says, when she was deployed to Iraq in 2003. While debate raged across the country about Britain going to war, Sam herself was matter of fact about the posting. "I didn't join the army specifically to go to war, but knew it was always a possibility because that's what you train for. Yes, there's a little bit of you that's terrified when it comes to it, but quite a lot of you is geared up to putting into practice what you've trained to do for years."

Her family and friends had a different view. "It was a really hard time for them, my mother especially. Arguably, it was worse for them than it was for me. Were I to die tomorrow for Queen and country, I could deal with that. It's my choice. But the only thing I worried about was what I would put them through."

Sam arrived in Iraq with her team of five soldiers on 8 March. By day, they lived in their army vehicle, acclimatising to the weather, training, testing ammunition, and linking up with other teams and liaison officers. At night, they slept outside in a tent, though Sam often slept on top of the vehicle. "I quite liked the fact you wouldn't get snakes or spiders up there," she remembers, "and it was peaceful looking up at the stars."

Once the war began, all contact with the outside world was cut, and Sam was heavily relied upon as a FOO, a forward observation officer, responsible for identifying enemy targets, and providing fire support to the infantry and the tanks, to 'neutralise' the enemy.

That her actions may have led to the death of Iraqi soldiers is something she's learned to live with. "I haven't shot anyone but people may have been killed under my direction," she accepts. "I'm not a war mongrel but I have a job to do at the end of the day, and I have no qualms that if people were shooting at me, I would shoot back."

"There's a little bit of you that’s terrified when it comes to war, but quite a lot of you is geared up to putting into practice what you've trained for."

While the chances of being injured are a real possibility, the next posting Sam will be taking up is Battery Commander, responsible for three FOOs and their teams - a little more removed from direct action.

Nonetheless, her teams' safety whilst on operations will be her top priority. Amongst other safety measures, she'll be ensuring their day-to-day activity varies enough to avoid any pattern setting. "If people want to blow you up, and you do the same thing every day, they will learn your habits and may just detonate a bomb nearby when they know you'll pass," she explains flatly.

They'll also be relying on local surveillance, like being aware of the streets children play on, so that when they're deserted, there is reason to be suspicious. And, above all, they'll be looking to befriend the local people, says Sam.

"If you've formed a bond with them, they might tell you something they've heard on the grape vine, like 'Don't come down here today'. That's what it's about, winning their hearts and minds," she insists.

It's an increasingly difficult thing to do, with the Afghan war tactics leaning towards vehicle devices and suicide bombers. "It's hard to combat, and you're unsure who to trust," she admits. "You have to be suspicious of everyone and only have a split second to make decisions. We train people in these scenarios in advance, but it's still very difficult and scary."

Despite all this, Sam Shepherd isn't wavering about her return. Together with a strong belief in doing her 'fair share' in the war, she continues to love her job. "It's all I've ever wanted to do and can't imagine the army not being part of my life. Yes, it's life and death, but then, that's what you sign up for."

By Barbara Walshe