Determined Royal Navy recruit overcomes injury to fulfil promise to dying gran to finish military training
BROKEN bones and heartbreaking setbacks failed to prevent a determined Royal Navy recruit from fulfilling a promise to her dying grandmother of joining the military.
Dogged recruit Amy White arrived at HMS Raleigh, in Cornwall, to begin her basic training in October 2018.
But just four weeks into the 10-week course, the 21-year-old developed multiple stress fractures in her foot, heel and ankle and was moved to the rehabilitation division to recover.
Little did she know, the injury would be the start of an 18-month battle to overcome it and finally bag her dream job in the Senior Service.
Amy said: ‘It was hard at the time because I knew I’d be there a long time, but I stuck at it because being in the Royal Navy was something I really wanted.
‘I don’t do failure. In June 2019, my grandma passed away, which made me even more determined because I’d promised her that I would do it.’
After nearly a year Amy was allowed to return to full training but suffered a further setback two weeks later when it became apparent that her injuries were not fully healed. She returned to rehab and six months later was pronounced fit to continue.
The Fareham recruit said: ‘I returned to training at week seven. I was excited, but it was also quite nerve-wracking because I knew I had some really challenging training to face, such as initial military fitness, but my foot held up and I knew then that it had completely healed.’
Having now reached the end of the course, Amy was one of 51 recruits who took to the parade ground for their passing-out parade.
Due to the restrictions as the UK deals with the coronavirus, family and friends are currently not allowed to attend the parade, but instead watch via live-stream.
Amy said: ‘I’ve met lots of people during my time at Raleigh and they all wanted to see me pass out, so I had lots of family and friends watching the live-stream. There were times over the last 18 months when I thought I may have been discharged for medical reasons, but I’m now so happy that the Royal Navy stuck with me and I’ve finally achieved my goal.’
In recognition of her determined efforts Amy was awarded the Stuart Cup at her passing-out parade.
With her first phase of training complete, Amy has now started her specialist training at HMS Collingwood, in Fareham, to qualify as a communication and information systems specialist.