Fifteen young people will officially pledge to serve the Queen and country on Thursday 15 December at 2pm in City Hall, when they take the first steps in their Army career.
The new recruits will take their Oath of Allegiance to the Queen in front of proud family and friends in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Norwich. This is the formal enlistment procedure all new recruits undergo prior to becoming a soldier and signifies their intent and commitment to the Army.
The Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Jenny Lay, will be present. She said: “It is an honour for me to be present at the start of this important journey into military life. On behalf of the residents of the city I wish them every success in their chosen fields and pay tribute to their commitment.”
The new trainees will head to different Army Training Regiments across the country, depending on their age and which part of the Army they are joining.
Four will head off to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, especially for young people aged 16 to 17, where they will study a mix of military and vocational skills, including leadership skills.
One will join ATR Bassingbourn as a Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineer and seven, including one female, will travel to ATR Pirbright. Three will travel to the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, which trains all Army Infantrymen and produces some of the best Infantry soldiers in the world.
Part of their training will also see the junior soldiers take part in trips to WW1 and WW2 battlefields in France and in adventure training such as rock climbing, caving, abseiling and kayaking.
Warrant Officer John Richmond, Army careers advisor for Norwich, said: “Youngsters are realising the Army offers a great many opportunities and often appeals to individuals who want challenge and adventure to be an integral part of their job. Not only that, the Army provides a wide range of training opportunities and actively encourage soldiers to acquire skills and qualifications, which are recognised throughout civilian life, from NVQs to masters degrees.”
The British Army is actively recruiting throughout Norfolk and anyone interested in a career should drop into the Army Careers Office at 2 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1HX. Alternatively visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk.