Kent Students Get A Taste of Army Life

19 January 2011, 13:11 | Updated: 19 January 2011, 13:19

A group of students from Canterbury College have been given a taste of Army life by spending 24 hours with troops based at Shorncliffe Barracks near Folkestone.

The Level 2 BTEC Diploma Public Services students, who were dressed in combat kit and camouflage, were taught low level tactics, moving in formation and close quarter combat skills during the exercise which took place in woodland near Densole.

The exercise is an annual event which forms part of the Public Services course, and also requires the students to cook using army rations and set up their own camp.

Of the 15 who took part, more than half said the experience had given them a real interest in pursuing a career in the armed services.

Howard Gilbert, Co-ordinator Public Services and Security at Canterbury College said: “I was really proud of the way the students conducted themselves on the exercise. The weather conditions were wet and windy but they all got stuck in. They worked hard for their Army instructors and supported each other to overcome any challenges. It is always good to see how students perform outside the classroom and they certainly rose to the occasion.”

Courses within the Public Services Department of Canterbury College involve activity based teaching and learning, led by experienced staff from the Armed Forces and Emergency Services.