Published at 19:24, Thursday, 20 November 2008

TWO teenagers are set to start careers as army nurses after taking their oath of allegiance in Workington.

New recruits: Sgt Alan Smith, MBE, with his latest recruits Emily Doolin, left, and Aimee Roddis

Emily Doolin, 17, and Aimee Roddis, 18, will travel to barracks at Pirbright in Surrey to begin their training.

Both passed through a tough interview process and will begin nursing degrees at Birmingham University in April.

Emily, of The Headlands, Keswick, said that her family had been an influence on her choice of a career in the army.

“My uncle joined the army about three years ago, and then I came into the careers office and that got me interested,” she said.

“I wanted to be a mechanic, but somewhere along the line that changed – I don’t know where or how.”

Aimee, from Whitehaven, said that they would spend 14 weeks at Pirbright, working on their fitness and weapon handling.

Sergeant Alan Smith MBE, of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, added: “It is quite a big achievement, as they have gone through an intensive process to be selected.”

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk