Privates are ready for tour of Afghanistan
Privates Ross McKenzie, from Cherry Willingham, and Jamie Larkin, from Grimsby, both 21, are due to begin training in June ahead of a six-month tour of Afghanistan – their first – in October.
Both helped with security at the London Olympics last year and rubbed shoulders with Team GB athletes, including cycling hero Bradley Wiggins and Lord Coe.
"Afghanistan has been going on since I was a little boy and I'm looking forward to going," said Mr Larkin, a house renovator.
"I was also in Kenya and I know all about those horrible Nairobi flies.
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"You are working in that heat with all your kit on but you learn to focus on your job and the heat does not bother you anymore.
"You get to do things in the TA that you cannot do anywhere else – it's a lot of life experience."
Mr McKenzie, a gardener at Doddington Hall, said: "I put the same amount of effort into gardening and being a soldier.
"Afghanistan will be a challenge but I am looking forward to it.
"It will be a great life experience and help me progress with my TA career.
"I want to go and see for myself what it's really like over there."
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