Mollie Earnshaw graduates at Army Foundation College

Junior Soldier Mollie Earnshaw

Mollie Earnshaw, 16, from Rochdale, was one of hundreds of junior soldiers celebrating their graduation in a military passing out parade at the Army Foundation College, Harrogate, on Thursday (11 August).

The passing out parade marks the completion of the soldiers’ British Army Junior Entry training at Uniacke Barracks.

The ceremony is the culmination of many months of hard work and determination. The final training exercise is a gruelling, 30-hour battle camp challenge across the Yorkshire Dales encompassing all the training they’ve learned during their time at AFC Harrogate.

Junior Soldier Earnshaw will go on to serve with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), as a vehicle mechanic.

She said: “Graduating from AFC Harrogate in front of my friends and family is something that I am very proud of doing. They are all really proud and happy for me.

“I thought the Army would be interesting and something different from the types of jobs my friends are doing.

“As a junior soldier you learn core life skills such as leadership, teamwork and determination. I have made loads of friends and met new people, and have become much more confident in my own ability.

“I’ve been paid really well for someone of my age and I’ve got some really useful qualifications. I’m now really looking forward to the next stage of my Army career.”