A TEENAGER is celebrating graduating from military college after taking part in a passing out parade.

Kieran Atherton, from Bolton, has graduated from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

He was one of hundreds of junior soldiers who took part in the passing out parade at Uniacke Barracks, which marks the completion of the soldiers' British Army junior entry training.

The barracks is where the soldiers undertake their training and they will now go on to serve in various corps and regiments of the British Army to begin the next part of their specialist training, where they will learn how to do their jobs at home and abroad.

Junior entry soldiers go on to become engineers, IT specialists, infantry soldiers, as well as more technical specialists.

Mr Atherton, will go on to serve with the Parachute Regiment.

The ceremony was the culmination of months of hard work and determination for the former Ladybridge High School student and the final training exercise was an intense, seven-day battle camp taking place, that encompasses all the training they have learned during their time in Harrogate.

Mr Atherton said: "Graduating from AFC Harrogate in front of my friends and family is something that I am very proud of doing. As a Junior Soldier you learn core life skills such as leadership, teamwork and determination. I have made loads of friends and met new people, and have become much more confident in my own ability. I’ve been paid really well for someone of my age and I’ve got some really useful qualifications. I’m now really looking forward to the next stage of my Army career.”

AFC Harrogate takes in up to 1,632 school leavers in two intakes, one in March and one in September, and junior soldiers are paid a full salary to train.

Lieutenant Colonel William John Strickland, commanding officer at AFC Harrogate, said: “All the junior soldiers passing out today should be proud of all that they have achieved during their time at AFC Harrogate. The training these Junior Soldiers go through is tough, but undeniably leads to excellent opportunities for personal and career development and allows people’s talents and skills to shine through.

“In choosing an Army career you will belong to one of the most respected organisations in the world, be able to pursue a job that will make a positive difference to society and develop unique and lasting bonds of friendship. The Army will invest in your future development, and all Junior Soldiers are trained and offered skills and qualifications that can be used to grow a career within the Army or used in a civilian career.”

For more information about job opportunities available with The Army, go to www.army.mod.uk/belong