THE newest recruits at Army Training Regiment Winchester have held a passing out parade.

The final parade of 2018 for those wishing to join as a Regular soldier saw troops from Burma Company completing their 14-week training.

Their families watched the parade at Sir John Moore Barracks in Littleton.

Inspecting the parade was Brigadier David Southall, Chief of Staff at Home Command based in Aldershot.

Those on parade were the first to complete the new Common Military Syllabus which has been trialled and tested at both Winchester and will be rolled out to all basic training establishments from April 2019.

More than 40 recruits from Burma Company were on parade from both 7 and 11 Platoons, one female troop and one male troop.

They were led and supported by musicians from The Band of The Royal Signals, who entertained family and friends with some traditional military band melodies, as well as a number of Christmas Carols to get everyone into the festive spirit.

Brig Southall said:“To all of you who pass off the square as soldiers, I know you have been stretched and tested. Our Army is changing but I believe the challenges you face are even more testing than those that have gone before.

"In addition, I believe the opportunities that come with this offer excitement and rewards and are a rare blend in this modern world. To the friends and families of those on parade, without your support much of what these individuals have achieved would not be possible, so thank you. To the recruits, I congratulate you on your great achievement, your bearing and your turn out on parade. I wish you every success in the years to come.”

One of the recruits was Recruit Wozniak who is originally from Poland but who currently lives in Clapham Junction. She is set to join The Corps of Army Music (CAMUS), a Corps dedicated to the provision and promotion of military music, as a violinist. She was supported by her husband, who himself has recently started his 7-day Reserve Alpha course, wanting to join The Royal Logistic Corps and will finish on the same day, passing out on Sunday 16th December.

Recruit Wozniak said: “The training has been really good but very challenging. There were many moments where I had to push myself hard in order to achieve my aim, but it was definitely worth it.”

When asked why she had decided to join the Army and in particular CAMUS, Recruit Wozniak said, “I always wanted to play in an orchestra and the British Army always plays in such wonderful places such as Buckingham Palace, it was something I just wanted to do.”

Following some time spent with their families and friends over Christmas, each of the soldiers will now all go on to start their Phase Two training in the New Year at their chosen Corps training establishments.