RAMROD straight and head held high, teenager Jordan McCarthy had reason to be particularly proud when he graduated from the Army Foundation College.

For the 16-year-old from Ripon was named as the best junior soldier from the Royal Engineers at the latest passing-out parade at the Harrogate college.

He joined the Army Foundation College last year for the first of the newly designed courses combining vocational education and military training.

And commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Oz Lane described his award as the culmination of 12 months of hard work and dedication.

“He can be rightly proud of his achievements at the college, and the staff and I wish him well as he goes forward to the second phase of his training,” he said.

The teenager was presented with his award by the General Officer Commanding 3 UK Division, Major General James Cowan, as he inspected the 450-strong parade.

“The best part of being here was making a new set of friends and knowing they’ll be friends for life,” said Jordan, a former pupil of Outwood Academy.

“The course as a whole has given me a wider sense of leadership – I had to lead a fire team on fire and manoeuvre and that was really challenging.”

He added: “When I told my mum she was dead pleased. I feel very proud and surprised about winning the prize, but overall just very proud.”