A pair of young Angus women have begun military careers after their involvement with local groups which have been hailed as the springboard to success.
Dana Gray is pursuing a career as an army medic, while Annie Nicoll has chosen the RAF for her future path and both girls are forging ahead on further phases of their training.
They were involved in a range of activities locally before joining the Army and RAF cadet forces respectively and their families say the dedication of those involved in running local groups should not be underestimated.
As a 15-year-old in 2016, Annie set her sights on a career in the RAF and joined Carnoustie RAF Air Cadets where, under the guidance of Mike Ogilvie and others, she enjoyed a range of activities including flying, parade training and weapons tuition which would help the transition into her chosen career.
She joined the service in March, completing basic training at RAF Halton and undergoing chef training at Worthy Down Barracks in Winchester, helping the RAF to overall victory in the tri-services catering competition in which she also took a gold award.
Annie has just graduated from phase two training and will be heading off to her first base in the new year.
Dana, 19, participated in a variety of youth activities growing up in Carnoustie and it was joining the Carnoustie branch of the Army cadets as part of the Black Watch & Royal Scots Dragoon Guards detachments which set her on course for a service career.
She trained at nearby Barry Buddon as well as other locations throughout Scotland and farther afield, before pursuing a uniformed services course at Arbroath campus of Dundee and Angus College.
In September, following a back injury which saw Dana undertake a 12-week physio rehabilitation programme, she successfully passed out as an army private and has now commenced her phase two medic training at the Royal Army Medical Centre, Lichfield.
The girls’ families said the support and dedication of many volunteers involved in Carnoustie organisations was something worth shouting about.
“There are so many clubs and activities in Carnoustie, we are extremely keen to spread the good work done and the huge impact this has on young people’s lives,” said Dana’s mum, Jacqui.
