A FORMER Hermitage Academy pupil was awarded a top prize when he graduated from the Army Foundation College.

Junior Soldier Sonny Millar, 17, from Dumbarton, was awarded the Education Achievement Award at the military training establishment.

He was presented with his prize as part of a passing out parade from the college in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

More than 600 Junior Soldiers graduated from the college last week, going on to do their Phase 2 training.

Junior Millar said after winning his award: “I am really proud of what I’ve achieved and to have won this prize.

“The college has also given me the chance to start a career which I’ve been wanting to do.”

Sonny is maintaining the family links with the military, as his father is in the Royal Navy serving in submarines.

More than 4,000 family members and friends watched the Junior Soldiers take part in the largest military graduation parade in the country.

Mr Barry Dodd CBE, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, inspected the Junior Soldiers.

Lieutenant Colonel William Strickland, the College’s Commanding Officer said: “It has been long and hard, and sometimes emotional. The majority proved equal to the test, and they are the future of the British Army. We are proud of their achievements and we are looking forward to their bright futures.

“The soldiers of Waterloo and Cambrai Companies represent the very best of our nation’s young people. I have no doubt that they are fully armed and prepared for their second phase of training. I congratulate both Companies, both the Junior Soldiers and their instructors, on a job very well done.”

The college opened in 1998 and provides training for soldiers destined for all the Army’s many career paths.

The college runs two types of courses – a 20-week course and a longer 40-week course – with intakes in September and March.

There is a strong focus on education at the college and students also have the opportunity to sample a wide variety of sports and adventure training.

For more information on the Army Foundation College visit www.army.mod.uk/juniorsoldier