The 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (5 Fusiliers) pulled out all the stops when they hosted the ultimate apprentice military challenge in Newcastle.
It was a day packed with action, teamwork, and plenty of laughs, thanks to the support of the Northeast Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network.
Sixty apprentices and twelve managers from eleven different businesses joined the fun, and they were not disappointed.
Lieutenant Colonel Taylor Jayne Fox, who organised the event, explained: “Today was about the apprentices knowing what the Army is and what the Reserves have to offer.
“We got them up to date with the Army, got them out doing activities, got them engaged and let them ask questions.
“As a result, a lot of them were very interested in joining. An average of six join from every event like this.”
Hands on Army experiences
The apprentices dived headfirst into a range of exciting Army Reserve activities. They showed off their aim in an airsoft shooting competition, raced through an inflatable obstacle course while carrying a casualty, learned how to blend into their surroundings with camouflage skills, and even sampled some Army ration packs.
They also got firsthand experience with military radios, built an infantry assault bridge, and scaled an indoor climbing wall.
It was all about building confidence, teamwork, and resilience – with plenty of smiles and high-fives along the way.
Caitlin Robinson, an apprentice studying People Practice at Durham New College said: “I thought the bridge-building activity was really fun; I think my HR skills came in handy.
“I always think about joining the Army. My brother is in the Army, so it has always been encouraged in my family to join.
“My family inspired me to come today. My dad was excited that I was coming. If I were to join, I would love to join as a communications specialist.”
The day was not, though, just about the activities. There was a presentation about the Army Reserve, showing how it is possible to have a second career alongside a civilian job.
Sergeant Tony Bateman, who has been in the Army for an incredible 36 years, shared his thoughts: “Personally, days like today are about giving back. I saw young people come through who had no idea what the Army was and what it had to offer.
“I liked educating them and showing them what we are all about. It gave them a greater understanding of the Army as a whole.”
“My advice to younger people is to give the Army a go, especially if you have a desire to do something different and challenging.”
Inspiring the next generation
Tony also had some wise words for the apprentices: “My advice to younger people is to give the Army a go, especially if you have a desire to do something different and challenging.”
These military challenge days have a great track record, with an average of six attendees signing up to join the Reserves after each event. For Lieutenant Colonel Fox, the benefits went beyond recruitment.
“Many young women attended today, and I think for women to believe they can be in a position, they need to see it,” she said.
“That is why I love being out on the field with young soldiers. If I could say at my rank to one young female, ‘You can do this, you are good enough,’ then that is great.
“I think days like today show the young women that they are capable and make them believe in themselves. If they only took that away with them, then that is brilliant.”