Hundreds of British Army's youngest recruits celebrate becoming trained soldiers

Three hundred and seventy of the British Army's youngest recruits have completed their basic training at Army Foundation College Harrogate.

They marked the occasion with a passing out parade in front of friends and family and will now join the field Army.

The parade is the culmination of what is considered by many to be the toughest period of a recruit's life.

Some prospective Army recruits may fear their personal hobbies or interests would have to be put on hold when they join the military.

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But that is not the case for junior soldier Rebecca Davies, who is joining the Grenadier Guards.

In addition to the rigours of basic training, the young infanteer continues to compete as a kickboxer and has become a European champion in her sport.

She said: "I started when I was four, so this is my fourteenth year, this year. I've recently become a European champion, 12times British champion over my career.

"I've joined the Army to help with my kickboxing overall, because I know they're very big on sport, the Army.

"They've helped me get to my competitions, given me weekends off that I needed, let me get back late on Sundays to make sure I'm back for training here [ATC Harrogate] and still being able to compete.

"If there's any extra training sessions for kickboxing, they've let me leave and they're trying to help me out for my future as well."

For others, their motivation to join was different.

Check out the best pictures of the day in our image gallery above.

Junior RSM Euan Henley told Forces News: "It was the Parachute Regiment, that's why I joined the Army, to join Harrogate.

"I joined because I wanted to get in as soon as possible and I wanted to get to the Parachute Regiment as soon as possible."

And Junior Corporal Sol Scott said: "I think the main thing for me was just fitness at first. I just really wanted to do something that was just worthwhile and that I could grow and develop as a person."

There are positive signs that interest in careers with the British Army is beginning to improve – new applications have recently hit a six-year high.

Senior officials have cited several reasons, including recent high-profile warnings that a world war is possible.

Whether or not such new interest will resolve now-famed issues with retention in the British Armed Forces, remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that those on parade have few regrets, and leave the parade square stronger and more resilient than before, moving on as trained soldiers.