A TEENAGER from Bromsgrove has celebrated his graduation from the British Army Junior entry training.

Reece Walters, 17, was one of hundreds of Junior Soldiers to take part in a prestigious military pass off parade at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The parade marks the completion of the soldiers’ British Army Junior Entry training at Uniacke Barracks, where they are all paid to train while they learn new skills such as the qualities of a soldier, battlefield casualty drills, fitness training and Skills at Arms.

Junior Soldier Reece Walters, who will go on to serve with the Royal Army Medical Corps, 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 gained useful qualifications. I’m now looking forward to the next stage of my Army career.”

Reece’s final training exercise is an intense, seven-day battle camp taking place in various training areas across the UK encompassing all the training they have received during his time at AFC Harrogate.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hall, commanding officer AFC Harrogate, said: “All the Junior Soldiers who have graduated should be proud of all that they have achieved during their time at AFC Harrogate.

“The training these Junior Soldiers go through leads to excellent opportunities for personal and professional development. By choosing an Army career, they now belong to one of the most respected organisations in the world.”