TWO Worcester brothers have their sights set on success after starting a career in the Army's prestigious Intelligence Corps.
Daniel and Liam Lyons signed up for the crack military unit, which has the motto "knowledge gives strength to the arm", after successfully completing its rigorous interviews and examinations.
Eighteen-year-old Liam decided to join the corps after watching his elder brother's passing out ceremony after completing basic training at Winchester's Army Training Regiment.
Now the teenager, who is on basic training at Winchester, hopes to follow 20-year-old Daniel, who successfully completed the Army's Defence Intelligence and Training course at Chicksands, Bedfordshire.
I'm very pleased to be part of the corps. It was hard work but it's worth it, said Daniel, who will be at Worcester's Army Careers Office in Foregate Street this week.
The training is very demanding, but there is a superb social life and it's great to be earning while furthering my education.
I really enjoy being in the intelligence corps as it offers a brilliant life, the chance to travel and plenty of opportunity for sports.
In August the Evening News announced the unit was to allocate one third of its advertising budget to attract school leavers from Worcestershire after finding they excelled at passing its gruelling aptitude tests.
The county has proven so successful that Worcester's careers office is now the UK's top recruiting office for the corps, even beating the Army's flagship office in The Strand, London.
Brigadier Chris Holtom, director of intelligence, said within the changing face of military strategies the unit was now a crucial weapon which demanded excellence from those within it.
Those who make it through the training have a lot of responsibility, he said. They will be dealing with high ranking officers who will base their strategies on the information given to them by the Intelligence Corps. The corps is at the forefront of the country's defence acquiring intelligence.
The whole point of the corps is to use the brain, but it's also about being physically capable. Operators within the unit need to be able to keep up with, and work alongside infantryman when necessary.
But the corps is like one big family and we also have a lot of fun and those serving in it can enjoy rapid promotions to reflect that responsibility they carry.
Parents Anthony and Teresa joined Liam to watch Daniel who has been posted to an overseas operational unit during his final passing out ceremony at Chicksands on Friday, October 6.
I'm proud to think he is serving our country, said his mother.
With all that's happening at the moment I obviously feel a little anxious, but I am sure the risk is at its lowest because of the training he has been given.
They are both very proud to be in the Army and looking forward to their careers.
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