DOZENS of young recruits realised their dream of completing the tough basic training for the British Army.

Major General T D Hyams, General Officer Commanding Army Recruiting and Training Division, was both Guest of Honour and Inspecting Officer as 85 recruits from C squadron passed out at the Army Training Regiment, Winchester.

Addressing the troops, Major General Hyams said: “It doesn’t get much better than this, I am truly honoured and humbled to be here with family and friends as our future generation of soldiers complete their phase one training. You have accomplished an enormous amount in the last 14 weeks, the British Army is a very special club and you have achieved it. Welcome to the British Army and welcome to the club, we are immensely proud to have you as brother and sister members of it – well done.”

The 85 recruits were joined on parade square by 18 members of permanent staff with the parade being led by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles who kept families and friends entertained throughout.

Recruit Emma Thomas said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I am so proud of what I have achieved and I have thoroughly enjoyed my training here at Winchester. I have made some great friends and we as an all-female troop have really bonded. I start my phase two training in just nine days and I can’t wait.”

The recruits having learnt the set skills to become a soldier in the British Army will now continue their military careers with their selected military Corps at a phase two training establishment.

2015 ATR (W) was awarded Outstanding in a recent Ofsted Report.

Opened in 1986 it is scheduled to close in an Army reorganisation in around three years.

ATR Winchester delivers Phase 1 Training over the duration of 14 weeks for new recruits joining Army Air Corps, Royal Regiment of Artillery, Royal Corps of Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, Adjutant General’s Corps and Royal Army Medical Corps.

It also trains those joining Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Royal Army Dental Corps and Intelligence Corps.