Teenager completes first stage of Army skills training with honours

Abigail Welburn, 17, has spent the past several months being taught the vital skills demanded from a soldier, including field craft, weapon handling and maintaining high physical and mental agility.

Speaking at her passing out parade at the college, she said: “I have loved every minute of it so far and I have made friends for life. The training has been hard at times but the people you meet here get you through it; there is a great sense of teamwork and togetherness.

“I can’t wait to start my phase two training, which is a lot more specialised to my trade. But I will miss being at the college because it has a great atmosphere, there is always something to do and you never get bored.”

She will now enjoy some time off before starting secondary training as a geographical technician in the Royal Engineers.

As a military engineer, she will be responsible for compiling, preparing and managing geographic data from a variety of sources and conducting terrain analysis.

She will find herself in many environments using cutting-edge technology, information technology equipment and geographic information systems to provide geographic support to the armed forces.

Sgt Patrick Crossley, a recruiter from the Scarborough Army Careers office, who attended the parade, said he was delighted by her progress. He said: “It’s nice to see Abigail complete the journey from civilian to soldier.”