Ross gets his stripes

The teenager, who is a sports student in North West Regional College, has been with the Drumahoe detachment of the Army Cadet Force for five years, during which time he earned himself the rank of Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major - the top rank he was able to achieve. That was back in May last year.

He's now 19 so his Cadet career is coming to an end, and reluctantly he is going to have to hang up his boots in April.

Not only is he going out on the highest note possible, as the United Kingdom's Champion Army Cadet, he has picked a great year to have the title for this year the Cadet movement is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a programme of events and activities across the country and before he leaves Ross will head over to Buckingham Palace for one of those events.

Noted among the Cadet force for his good humour, he is also very modest about what is an amazing achievement. To be the UK's Champion Cadet you have to go through a really gruelling course - attend by invitation only - and you get tested in every aspect of training, including leadership, first aid, fieldcraft, weaponcraft, and drill amongst may other skills.

The panel interviews are apparently worse than Dragon's Den.

A past pupil of Limavady Grammar School and Lurgan College, Ross is currently a student at North West Regional College, Limavady Campus, where he is studying outdoor sports, education and fitness.

Recalling his reluctant start with the Cadets just over six years ago, Ross said: “My mum pushed me into it when I was 12. I was reluctant at the start. My mum pushed me into it for discipline reasons, apparently. It paid off tremendously. I do her ironing now,” he joked.

Asked whether or not he would encourage other young people to join, he said: “I found it very worthwhile and enjoyable once I got into it. The best skills I came away with is the boost to my confidence and my self-esteem went through the roof. Another great skill they teach you is leadership and you have scores of practical skills like first aid, self-discipline, teamwork and we were taught to put a high value on physical fitness. You become far more mature as well.”

Ross is now planning to go on to university at Liverpool next year, where he intends to study outdoor sports.

“I am also looking forward to having a career involving the whole area of outdoor sports and physical training.

Officially Ross left the Cadets last year, but kept his association with the movement going because he enjoyed it so much.

“I couldn’t leave,” he joked.

However, he will leave on April 1 this year - very reluctantly. He took time to pay tribute to all of his instructors and mentors who have worked with him over the past five years, particularly his Officer Commanding at B Coy.