Taste of Army life for students aiming to become soldiers

Public Services students found out exactly what it is like being a soldier when they took part in residential work experience at the British Military’s Crowborough Army Training Camp.

Jack Baird, Aivaras Zuperka, Lewis Stanley and Adam Nazm, above, who are studying the Level 3 Uniformed Public Services course at New City College, spent five days at the training camp in East Sussex, experiencing the life of a new recruit.

The boys, who are all aspiring to a career in the Army when they leave college, were issued with the standard British Army uniform for the week’s work experience and were put through their paces with a 6am start each day, polishing boots and a kit inspection.

They then took part in daily drills, marching parades, patrols, team building activities, section battle training, fitness tests, map reading, signals and camouflage exercises, with lights out at 10pm.

Aivaras, from Thurrock, who studies at the Havering Sixth Form campus in Hornchurch, said: “It was a great week, it really gave us the experience of what being in the Army would be like. We had to do all the things that the new recruits were doing, as if we were one of them. I really enjoyed it – especially getting a full English breakfast every morning!”

The other students agreed that the week had been a unique opportunity and has made them even more determined to sign up when they have completed the Public Services course.

NCC Work Experience and Industry Placement Coordinator, Gayle Fiddler, who organised the trip, said: “The feedback from the students about what they gained from the week was excellent, as was the feedback from the Army on how the students performed.  We are proud of them and how they really used the experience to further their career ambitions.”