Army

Junior Soldiers Face First Major Test

Trainee soldiers, including a number from Scotland, have been cutting their teeth during a demanding week-long exercise in Northumberland.

Scores of junior soldiers left the classrooms of Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where they are studying on a 20-week basic training course, and took to the hills of Otterburn training area to be tested to their limits.

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The exercise used live ammunition and examined the 16-18 year-old recruits’ ability to fire weapons accurately from concealed cover, shoot while moving in groups, and fight in darkness. It concluded with a muscle-wearying march and shoot competition.

The five month-long course not only turns the young people into British Army soldiers but also gives them the opportunity to gain qualifications in English, Maths and ICT as well as driver theory training. They also work on their leadership and team skills as part of the college’s leadership and initiative training package.

Jake McMillan: “I joined the Army to make something of my life and it’s best thing I’ve ever done.

Junior Soldier Jake McMillan (17) from Dalry, Castle Douglas explains: “The exercise has been tough but really rewarding." The former pupil of Dalry Secondary School added:

“I want to make my family proud.”

When Jake ‘passes out’ during the parade on 13 August he will be joining the Royal Logistics Corps as a supply specialist.

Junior soldiers also undertake adventurous training, physical and mental challenges and get the chance to take part in a variety of sports.

After the young soldiers pass out they will continue their military education in their various specialist roles including infantry, signals, logistics, artillery and military intelligence.