Fourteen young people from Cumbria and the borders swore the Oath of Allegiance yesterday in a virtual ceremony as they prepare for their lives in the Army.

The new recruits will soon be off to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, in preparation for their future, serving their queen and their country to train for 23-49 weeks.

They will be joining a whole range of different corps from Royal Signals Corp to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to Royal Artillery.

Paul Imrie, an army recruiter who served from 1985 until 2017, described life in the forces.

He said: “Enjoy it. I was in the army for 32 years, I did a year’s training and that set me up for life. What you do there will set you up for promotion within the British Army.

“You will make friends for life. They will become your second family, and some will be closer than your actual family.”

The group also heard from 17-year-old Georgia Dowber from Moor Row, who joined the Army last year. At the time, she spoke to The Cumberland News and was looking forward to getting stuck into her new career as a driver and communications specialist for the Royal Logistics Corp.

Both of Georgia’s parents were in the army before her, so they are eagerly supporting her decision to follow in their footsteps. But, her main drive for applying was the opportunity to do something different.

She said: “There were some days I absolutely hated – but everyone is in the same situation, everyone will be missing their family and friends – you just have to stick with it.

“Every single day is totally different. If you hate one day, you won’t even be thinking about it the next day.

“If you go in with an open mind, you will enjoy it, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s like living with 12 brothers and sisters.

“You’re going to get shouted at a lot – don’t take it to heart, you’re all going to really enjoy it. The staff are really helpful and nice.”

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Imrie said it had been a good year for recruitment.

He said: “They are all aged between 16 and 17, and some would have been 15 when they applied. They’ve been waiting a while.

“One of the benefits is how they turn out at the end. I first met Georgia when she was a 15 year-old school kid, and how she’s come on in confidence – for her to do that and speak to all those young strangers, that’s definitely something that the army has given her. Literally, they’re a different person.

“It’s not a job you stop at five o-clock and go home, it’s a lifestyle.

“One of the good things is, pre-lockdown recruits’ friends would be sending them messages and pictures of them out and celebrating, and now because of Covid it’s almost the other way around. It’s a good time to be joining the army.

“We’ve got 14 in total and four are female, and that’s our largest March intake.”

Among the new recruits is 16-year-old Kailub Schultz, who is joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a recovery mechanic.

The Carlisle teenager is following his father’s footsteps into the army, and explained why he had been drawn to serve.

He said: “My dad was in the Army for 22 years, and I’ve always been surrounded by the army and military life. My dad spoke very highly of it, so it seemed like something I wanted to do.

“It just seems like a great life. My dad has stories for days. Joining the engineers gives you a qualification when you come out the services – my dad was very strong on doing something that you can use.

“Personally, a big draw was to see more of the world and travel. You get to do it as part of your job. I just want to see the world and make friends.

“The presentation was good – it was informative and it made me feel a lot more comfortable about what’s going to happen. It’s a big change for anyone, especially at 16.”

Joining Kailub is fellow Carlisle resident Rebecca Long. The 17-year-old is joining the Adjutant Generals Corps as a combat human resources specialist. She is not following a family member into the forces – instead she has been drawn to the Army as she looks for a change.

She said: “At home you’re just kind of stuck. With the Army you get a good career – and a good pension.

“I’m going for the lifestyle rather than the role, it’s like an office job but you can get out in the field.”