A DARLINGTON teenager has joined the ranks of the Royal Marines, after successfully completing 32 weeks of notoriously gruelling training.
Eighteen-year-old Thomas Allen, a former pupil of Carmel Technology College, passed out at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, Devon with 903 Troop.
He said: "You don't have to be super fit to join the Royal Marines, but you will be when you've finished training.
"Everything you do is progressive which means all you need is stacks of determination.
"Being a Royal Marines Commando is the ultimate adventure, - believe me, there is no such thing as an average Monday morning."
The Royal Marines form 3 Commando Brigade, which is a core component of the UK's Joint Rapid Reaction Force.
Thomas will be joining 45 Commando Royal Marines, based in Arbroath, Scotland.
For more information on becoming a Royal Marines Commando, visit the website at www.rmjobs.co.uk.
Alternatively, call the recruitment hotline on 0845 6075555.
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