Young Fife soldier awarded top accolade

Pictured: Junior Soldier Cruikshank receiving the prize for Education Achievement Award from Lieutenant General Bashall CBE. All images remain Crown Copyright. Photo credit: Sgt Jamie Peters RLC

Private Megan Cruickshank (17), was given the Educational Achievement Award at the prestigious college at Uniacke Barracks, Penny Pot Lane.

Megan joined the Army Foundation College in September for a unique course combining vocational education and military training.

She gained practical soldiering skills and passed NVQs in maths, IT, English as well as getting her driver theory.

Megan, who previously studied at Lochgelly High School, now hopes to join the Royal Logistics Core as a driver.

She said: “The Army Foundation College has given me the opportunity to do loads of things I would not have been able to do anywhere else.

“But the best part has been all the people I’ve met during training and the staff who have helped get us through it.”

The graduation parade at Uniacke Barracks was the finale of the course and thousands of relatives and friends watched the Junior Soldiers pass off the square.

Lieutenant Colonel William Strickland said: “The graduation parade is the culmination of months of hard work and dedication both by the junior soldiers and the college staff that train them.

“The Junior Soldiers can justly be proud of their achievements at the College, and the staff and I wish them well as they go forward to the second phase of their training at different establishments throughout the country.”

Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE, commander of the Army’s personnel and support command, inspected the Junior Soldiers, presented prizes and took the salute as the military parade marched past the dais.

Junior Soldiers work on their leadership and team skills as part of the College’s personal and team development package.

They have undertaken a number of adventurous training activities, as well as physical and mental challenges, culminating in a 30-hour challenge patrol across the Yorkshire Dales. The students have also had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of sports promoting fitness and agility.

Many have just returned from their final exercise in Scotland - an arduous exercise and the culmination of their fieldcraft and military skills training.