IT was hats off and hats on yesterday for hundreds of recruits embarking on a career in the Army.
More than 400 junior soldiers took part in their first parade at the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, in front of hundreds of relatives and friends.
It was hats off as they removed their college berets and replaced them with their new regimental head-dress, marking the completion of the first six weeks of their training.
The 16-year-olds began a mix of military, educational and vocational training at the college, in Penny Pot Lane, last month and will finish the 42-week course in December.
They will then undertake more specialist training elsewhere in the UK before joining their regiments.
On parade were junior soldiers destined for a full range of Army careers from flying helicopters, driving tanks to firing some of the most hi-tech equipment.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Guy Deacon took the salute.
He said: "The changing of the beret to their regimental headdress symbolises the start of their Army career and I am sure this was a memorable day for them."
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