A RECRUITMENT drive is on to boost the ranks of army cadets in Inverclyde.

Greenock man Scott Alexander is urging more people to join up and see what the local organisation has to offer.

The 44-year-old, who is an instructor training local cadets, has been in the military all his life after joining up at 16.

He said: “I’ve served in Germany, Northern Ireland and Italy.

“I joined up at 16 and spent three years in the army and then became an instructor for the territorials.”

He is helping out staff sergeant Heather McNeil, who is the detachment commander for Gourock Army Cadet Force.

Scott said: “I was a cadet myself and it helped me progress. It teaches leadership and working as a team.

“There’s opportunities out there for future employment.”

He says the cadets offer a lot of activities and can be a step in the right direction for a lot of young people.

Scott added: “With all the conflicts going on in the world, I think it’s not looked upon as a good career but we’re just like any other youth organisation.

“It’s about helping kids off the streets and into future employment.

“We can help with leadership skills and through the cadets youngsters can learn to be junior instructors themselves.”

Gourock Army Cadets meet in Binnie Lane on Tuesdays between 7 and 9.30pm.

For more information call Scott on 07827 912497.