The Army Foundation College in Harrogate, trains the youngest recruits in the British Army. They arrive at 16, some disillusioned with school, others following in family tradition. The Junior Soldiers are taught basic military skills from map reading to rifle handling and first aid and these are tested throughout the year with a series of overnight exercises. They live together in lines (bunks) and spend work and recreation time together. This is an important period of learning and bonding and throughout the year I watched the boys grow from typical teenage lads into comrades ready to face the realities of war together.
A Junior Soldier applies camouflage make up on their first overnight exercise during their first six weeks of training
Junior Soldier Conor Burns holds his rifle during his first overnight exercise
Junior Soldier Colby Jenson-Watts holds his rifle for the first time during an overnight exercise
Junior Soldiers 'number twos' hanging up
unior Soldier Colby Jenson-Watts is measured for his regimental uniform. Jenson Watts is the youngest for four brothers to join the British Army. He will serve along side them in the Mercian Regiment once he has completed his infantry training
L-R; Josh Leadbitter, Mason West, Colby Jenson-Watts relaxing in their lines
Connor Sharp-Wright reads a book in the lines
A picture of the Queen on the wall of the boys bedroom
Luke Brown sits in the lines
Rosery beads and family photos on a junior soldier's pin board
amie Beales is inspected by Bombardier Chadwick
Jamie Beales lays out his kit for inspection
Platoon 5 boys having a kit inspection
Platoon 5 boys having a kit inspection
Platoon 5 boys having a kit inspection
Junior Soldiers during his first overnight exercise
Junior Soldier Colby Jenson-Watts washes his face during his first overnight exercise
Platoon 5 try on their 'number twos'. The regimental uniforms are tried on so any adjustments can be made before the Graduation Parade at the end of the year
unior A soldier holds his regimental uniforms for the graduation parade at the end of the year.
Platoon 5 try on their 'number twos'. The regimental uniforms are tried on so any adjustments can be made before the Graduation Parade at the end of the year
Josh Leadbitter helps Connor Sharp-Wright putting on his 'number twos' before the passing out parade.The graduation parade marks the end of phase one training and the soldiers time at the Army Foundation College, Harrogate.
Platoon 5 try on their 'number twos'. The regimental uniforms are tried on so any adjustments can be made before the Graduation Parade at the end of the year
Platoon 5 Colby Jenson-Watts adjusts Connor Sharp-Wright's tie, their regimental uniforms are tried on so any adjustments can be made before the Graduation Parade at the end of the year
Junior Soldiers prepare for gas chamber training on January 13, 2011 in Harrogate, England. The boys have to exercise in a small gas filled room to simulate conditions under attack
Junior Soldiers prepare for gas chamber training on January 13, 2011 in Harrogate, England. The boys have to exercise in a small gas filled room to simulate conditions under attack
Junior Soldiers prepare for gas chamber training on January 13, 2011 in Harrogate, England. The boys have to exercise in a small gas filled room to simulate conditions under attack
Junior Soldier Colby Jenson-Watts gets ready for Remembrance Sunday. This is his first Remembrance Sunday as part of the British Army.
Junior Soldiers attend a church service in Darley, North Yorkshire on Remembrance Sunday. This is their first Remembrance Sunday as part of the British Army.
Junior Soldiers attend Church in Darley, North Yorkshire on Remembrance Sunday. This is their first Remembrance Sunday as part of the British Army
A Junior soldier covers his eyes during a Church service in Darley, North Yorkshire on Remembrance Sunday.
Junior Soldiers watch television in the 'utility room' at the Army Foundation College
Josh Leadbitter and Kristyan Hanes play Ghost Squad in the Naafi on The Naafi at the Foundation College is the only Naafi in the country that does not serve alcohol.
Junior Soldiers play pool in the Naafi
Ryan Ward helps Lee Litchfield in the Army Foundation College gym
Junior Soldiers work out in the college gym on June 13, 2011 in Harrogate, England.
Platoon 5 scale a wall during a timed endurance competition
Platoon 5 take part in a timed endurance test
Junior Soldier Sam Ancliff taking part in a timed endurance test
unior Soldier Mason West taking part in a timed endurance test
Colby Jenson-Watts and Connor Sharp-Wright congratulate each other after completing their endurance test
Platoon 5 before the Graduation Parade
Platoon 5 before the Graduation Parade
Platoon 5 prepare for inspection before before the passing out parade on
Junior Soldiers prepare for the Graduation Parade at the Army Foundation College
Junior Jenson-Watts lines up for inspection before the passing out parade
Junior Soldier Ryan Ward lines up for inspection before the passing out parade
Platoon 5 collect weapons before their passing out parade. The graduation parade marks the end of phase one training and the soldiers time at the Army Foundation College. 546 Junior soldiers march in the graduation parade in front of thousands of friends and family. The passing out parade is Europe's largest military graduation.
unior Soldier Poulter preparing for the Graduation Parade
Platoon 5 join the lines of Junior soldiers during the passing out parade
Platoon 5 are inspected during the passing out parade
Platoon 5 are inspected during the passing out parade
Platoon 5 are inspected during the passing out parade
Junior Soldier Ryan Ward during the passing out parade on August 18, 2011
Platoon 5 march on during the passing out parade
A Junior Soldier is greeted by his mother, after his passing out parade on August 18, 2011- <