BE THE best.

This was the message at the Army recruitment drive at the University of Southampton.

Army officers were on hand to put students through their virtual paces, giving them a taste of what a career in the armed forces could offer.

Students were able to experience what it would be like to run through the famous assault course and the exhilaration of jumping out of a plane thanks to the latest in Oculus rift technology.

This is the first graduate-specific drive the Army has done for eight years, as it has seen a steady decline in officers joining the force in the last few years.

Major General Paul Nanson was in attendance at the drive and said it is interesting how little people knew about the vast range of different careers the Army offers.

He said: “What we have found on this drive is that when people think of the Army they just think of the conflict. But there is so much more opportunities here, any career you can think of we have the opportunity for it in the Army. “We have come to Southampton as we know the students here are interested in engineering, humanitarian work as well as defending their country.”

Major General Nanson said there is a bit of a misconception of what the Army does, and this is the main aim of this drive, to not only bring in new recruits but to raise awareness of the service they provide.

Within the first two hours of the two-day drive, officers saw more than 60 students sign up.

Prospective recruits had the opportunity quiz officers on their route into the Army, and try and keep the pace with them during a virtual bleep test.

Chaitanya Gopal, 20 studying aeronautics at the university said he had never done anything like the Oculus rift experience and it had opened his eyes to a potential new career.

Lieutenant platoon commander Sam Tooth graduated from the University of Southampton in 2013 with a masters in aeronautics and astronautics. He said he was encouraged by the types of questions being asked.

He said: “Students have been asking about what qualifications they can get, and how they can progress.

“I have been given a lot of responsibility at a young age and that has really help with my confidence, and I think those skills are invaluable.”