Army Reserves have marked the completion of their first stage of military training with a socially distanced Pass Off parade at Army Training Regiment (Grantham).
More than 45 new reserves from a range of civilian backgrounds including a cleaner, teacher and a nurse took part in the traditional passing out ceremony.
The parade marked the successful completion of Phase One training. This includes four weekend courses and a 16-day residential training course at ATR (Grantham), Prince William of Gloucester Barracks.
Normally the reservists would stand on the parade square in front of their families and friends to witness the pomp and ceremony that marks such an important step. However, Coronavirus made it a different experience, with the families watching the parade from a FaceBook live stream.
The training that abided by the social distancing rules, taught them everything they need to know to fulfil their role and included military terminology, drill, shooting, weapon handling, first aid, field craft and map reading.
The soldiers, who will be joining Army Reserve units from a variety of cap badges and Corps, including the Royal Logistic Corps, Intelligence Corps and the Royal Army Medical Corps, will now return to their units to complete their Phase 2 trade training.
Brigadier Mike Butterwick, the Commander of the Army’s Initial Training Group, inspected the parade and presented a series of awards including those for Best Recruit and Best Shot.
Addressing the parade, Brigadier Butterwick said: “What an extraordinary journey you have been on. A Pass Out Parade is a rite of passage; it’s the moment we say you are trained, and you are ready, and you are now members of this big team we call the British Army.
“Usually your family and friends would be here to urge you on and wish you well. But today we have had to do it a little bit different and your training has also had to be a little bit different.
“What the Army does when faced with a challenge is that it adapts, improvises and it overcomes and that is what every single one of you has done to stand on this parade today.”
He continued: “Today marks the end of the first chapter of your Army Reserve careers. This chapter has been pretty extraordinary; you have been trained in all the skills you need in extraordinary circumstances.
“Today is about celebrating your achievements in extraordinary circumstances and your courage to serve your nation; to step forward as the Army reserve always does. It stepped forward for Afghanistan and Iraq. It stepped forward in the floods and it stepped forward in the current moment of crisis with the Coronavirus. The Army Reserve always steps forward and you are now part of the team we call the British Army. We congratulate you. Well done and good luck.”
The course is delivered by Army Training Regiment (Grantham) whose instructors have been specially selected and trained for their role. Their main task is to lead recruits through their training and assist them with passing all aspects of the course.
All Army Reserves are paid whilst training and the pay scale is based on what a Regular soldier with the same job and rank would receive. Pay is increased as a soldier gains promotion and experience. For information on joining the Army Reserves visit the Army web site at: www.army.mod.uk
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