TWO high-flying students are set to swap the classroom for a life in uniform.

Karima Ewida and Samuel Pocock are on their way to becoming soldiers with the Royal Signals Corps.

Troops in the corps, responsible for the British Army’s communications, have to be highly skilled in their field and be familiar with the latest technology.

The two, who gained good grades at GCSE level and qualifications at college, are both excited about the prospect of progressing up the Army’s career ladder.

Miss Ewida, who is fluent in English, French, German and Arabic, said she decided from an early age that she did not want a nine-to-five desk job and wanted to travel. As soon as she was old enough, the 17-year-old, of Kidderminster, headed to the Armed Forces Careers Office in Foregate Street, Worcester.

She said: “I wanted to use my language skills as much as possible and continue to learn, so I decided to become an electronic warfare systems operator in the Royal Signals, which will see me translate different forms of communications and work closely with the Intelligence Corps, which will be tremendously exciting.”

It was the day-to-day dealing with specialist IT equipment that persuaded Mr Pocock to join the Army. After studying IT at Worcester College of Technology, the 18-year-old, from Malvern, headed straight to the careers office to sign up.

“I had wanted to join the Army since I was 13, so as soon as the opportunity arose and I had gained the relevant qualifications I didn’t look back,” he said.

Miss Ewida and Mr Pocock will soon begin their basic training. Miss Ewida said: “We are all about to embark on our exciting journeys and we can’t wait to start. We’re concentrating on getting our fitness levels up to scratch so that we perform well both mentally and physically when we start.”