MORE than 650 teenagers marched into a military future when they graduated from the Army’s flagship training establishment for 16 and 17-year-olds.

And large crowds of family and friends were there to watch them proudly take part in their passing-out parade at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

The college in Penny Pot Lane runs two types of course – a 42-week long course and a shorter 22-week course, both of which train junior soldiers destined for a wide variety of Army careers.

The junior soldiers on the longer course marched off the square to the second phase of their training in the Infantry, Royal Artillery, Royal Armoured Corps and Royal Logistic Corps.

And a company on the shorter course, designed for other cap badges, headed for the longer more specialist phase of their training which could include becoming a vehicle mechanic with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer or a communications systems operator with the Royal Signals.

The college’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Strickland, said: “It has been long and hard, and sometimes emotional.

“I congratulate all of the junior soldiers and their instructors on a job very well done. The majority proved equal to the test, and they are the future of the British Army. We are proud of their achievements and we are looking forward to their bright futures.”

The parade inspecting officer, Lieutenant General James Bashall, said: “It is a great privilege to be invited to take the salute at Army Foundation College and to be able to congratulate over 650 newly-trained soldiers on their transition to the British Army.

“Joining the British Army is a huge decision in an individual’s life and it takes dedication, commitment and effort to be successful enough to reach the end of Phase One training.”

The teenagers worked on their leadership and team skills and undertook a number of adventurous training activities, as well as physical and mental challenges, culminating in a 30-hour challenge patrol across the Yorkshire Dales.