Two brothers from Abergavenny have this week taken the Army's oath of allegiance at the Newport Army Careers Office and officially enlisted together to train for a career with The Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME).

Arwyn and Elfed Woodford, aged 21 and 18 years respectively, have always wanted to join the Army, having grown up around relatives already serving. Next week, the brothers start their 14 week training course with the Army Training Regiment in Bassingbourn, near Cambridge before moving to the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in Bordon, Hampshire, for a further 23 weeks training. On completion of the Bordon course, Arwyn and Elfed will be NVQ Class Two qualified vehicle mechanics and will both be attached to a regular Army regiment to maintain the vehicle fleet. The brothers will continue to receive constant training across their careers to progress to NVQ Class Three as well as receive opportunities to specialise in specific areas of mechanical engineering.

Arwyn Woodford said:

"My brother and I have always wanted to follow our relatives into the Army and now we're getting to live out that dream. As kids we were always interested in cars and how things work, so enlisting to train as mechanical engineers was an obvious career choice for us. We can't wait to get stuck into the training now and meet up with all the other lads we've met during the selection process – there's a real team spirit!"

Elfyn Woodford added:

"The other great thing about joining the REME is that not only will we get to do what we enjoy – working with vehicles – but it'll give us both a decent trade with long term career progression prospects."

Sergeant Tom Rees, an Army Recruiter in South East Wales, said: "We are incredibly pleased that Arwyn and Elfed have signed up for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Training with the REME will fast track them to achieve the same qualifications as engineers on civvy street but added skills such as team work, problem solving and adapting to extraordinary situations and with all their kit and training needs fully funded by the Army."