Students offered £1,500 for summer army boot camp
Press Association
Monday June 13, 2005
Territorial army soldiers: the 51st Highland Regiment is looking for about 100 people to take part in a six-week boot camp
Students are being offered £1,500 to attend a six-week training course as part of a new initiative to recruit more people into the army, it emerged today.
Those keen to avoid a summer stacking shelves or waiting tables can instead travel to the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides where they will be put through their paces by Territorial Army (TA) soldiers from the 51st Highland Regiment.
The regiment, which is the TA infantry regiment for the north of Scotland, is looking for about 100 people who are available from the beginning of July until the middle of August to take part in the boot camp.
It has already signed up a number of recruits following presentations at colleges.
The course is open to people - particularly students - between the ages of 17 and 32, who are based within the regiment area, from Dunoon in the south to Shetland and the Western Isles in the north.
Those who register for the course - which aims to turn civilians into trained TA soldiers in the shortest time possible - will receive training in weapons, drill and marching and will undertake adventure activities including rock climbing and canoeing.
They will be paid the equivalent of regular army rates, working out at £1,500 for six weeks, and will have their food, accommodation and travel expenses covered.
Malcolm Mitchell, the recruit marketing officer for Highland Reserve Forces, said today: "This course offers a chance for personal development and a training opportunity second to none where students will experience a wide range of skills.
"They [students] will learn to relate better with colleagues as there is a lot of teamwork - it is a wonderful opportunity.
"At the end of the course, participants are under no obligation to stay in the TA and can simply hand back their clothing and equipment.
"However, we are confident that once they have experienced life in the TA there is every possibility that they will want to continue."
Press Association
Monday June 13, 2005
Territorial army soldiers: the 51st Highland Regiment is looking for about 100 people to take part in a six-week boot camp
Students are being offered £1,500 to attend a six-week training course as part of a new initiative to recruit more people into the army, it emerged today.
Those keen to avoid a summer stacking shelves or waiting tables can instead travel to the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides where they will be put through their paces by Territorial Army (TA) soldiers from the 51st Highland Regiment.
The regiment, which is the TA infantry regiment for the north of Scotland, is looking for about 100 people who are available from the beginning of July until the middle of August to take part in the boot camp.
It has already signed up a number of recruits following presentations at colleges.
The course is open to people - particularly students - between the ages of 17 and 32, who are based within the regiment area, from Dunoon in the south to Shetland and the Western Isles in the north.
Those who register for the course - which aims to turn civilians into trained TA soldiers in the shortest time possible - will receive training in weapons, drill and marching and will undertake adventure activities including rock climbing and canoeing.
They will be paid the equivalent of regular army rates, working out at £1,500 for six weeks, and will have their food, accommodation and travel expenses covered.
Malcolm Mitchell, the recruit marketing officer for Highland Reserve Forces, said today: "This course offers a chance for personal development and a training opportunity second to none where students will experience a wide range of skills.
"They [students] will learn to relate better with colleagues as there is a lot of teamwork - it is a wonderful opportunity.
"At the end of the course, participants are under no obligation to stay in the TA and can simply hand back their clothing and equipment.
"However, we are confident that once they have experienced life in the TA there is every possibility that they will want to continue."
