Bursary student has Rosie future in the Army.
 Norfolk's first army bursary student joined 18 other young army recruits in swearing allegiance to the Queen at an emotive ceremony in Norwich's City Hall.
 
Rosie Rowbotham, 18, from Worstead, near North Walsham, was the first Norfolk bursary student and she has just returned from a five-week army sponsored expedition to Greenland.
 
The former Broadland High School and Easton College student will be joining the Royal Army Medical Corps and plans to train as a combat medical technician. Later this year she will attend the Army Training Regiment (ATR) Bassingbourn, or Pilbright, in Surrey, where she will learn first aid, map reading, field craft, skill-at-arms and communication.
 
The ceremony also marked the first anniversary of the launch of the army's Further Education Bursary Scheme (FEBS) which is open to students aged 16 to 32 considering a career in the army. The Bursary provides £1000 on completion of the first phase of army training.
 
Miss Rowbotham who recently completed a sports therapy, health and fitness course at City College Norwich, said, I have wanted to join the army for 2 years. I think its best career there is. I like the challenge, and I think I can learn more in the army than on Civvie Street.
 
If she is sent to Afghanistan where more than 200 British servicemen have been killed, she said she would try and do her best. She said "I would be up for it. I'd obviously be nervous but i would serve my country and do the best I can."
 
Proud mum Jocelyn Rowbotham, 50, who is a carer, said:" it was a very proud moment when she swore the oath. "Going into the army is a risk but so is life, and the army will train her to cope with the risks."
Richard Burley, head of the school of technology at City College said: “FEBS has provided students with an ideal opportunity to receive additional funding while remaining in education and developing more practical skills that will help them in the future." 
 
Miss Rowbotham and other recruits swore allegiance in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Eve Collishaw, parents, family and friends at yesterday’s ceremony. The oath is the formal enlistment procedure recruits undergo prior to becoming a soldier and signifies their intent and commitment to the armed forces. Major Grant Pocock, area recruiting officer (Norfolk & Suffolk), said "We are delighted to welcome these new recruits to the army.”I am sure they will find it a challenging but rewarding experience. "The recruits will be joining various regiments reflecting the wide ranging career opportunities open to those joining the army."
 
David Bale - david.bale2@archant.co.uk
 
Norwich Evening News Wednesday, September 2, 2009