Military Career
After quitting football, Crooks chose a new career path in the British Armed Forces. Choosing not to follow his younger brother into the British Army, Crooks instead signed up as an enlisted member (gunner) of the RAF Regiment, the infantry unit of the Royal Air Force, whose role is to provide force protection of RAF airfields and bases.
In February 2011 at 33 years old, he completed his seven months of RAF Regiment basic training, passing out as a Leading Aircraftman (equivalent to NATO rank OR-1, or Army Private). His instructor praised his natural leadership ability shown during the course. Initially posted to No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment based at RAF Honington in Suffolk, in the following weeks he underwent intensive training in the Sennybridge Training Area in Wales, and was due to visit the RAF Mount Pleasant base in the Falklands Islands followed by a deployment to the frontline in the War in Afghanistan, in early 2012.
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