A teenager has battled his way through the toughest military training course in the world to earn the coveted green beret of the Royal Marines.

Sam Pearson, from Browning Road, Lower Gornal, will soon be posted to Afghanistan as part of the 40 Commando Royal Marines unit after he completed the gruelling 32-week course.

The 17-year-old joined 57 other hopefuls from around the country on the longest basic training course in the world.

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A teenager has battled his way through the toughest military training course in the world to earn the coveted green beret of the Royal Marines.

Sam Pearson, from Browning Road, Lower Gornal, will soon be posted to Afghanistan as part of the 40 Commando Royal Marines unit after he completed the gruelling 32-week course.

The 17-year-old joined 57 other hopefuls from around the country on the longest basic training course in the world.

It stretches potential recruits’ stamina and mental strength to their absolute limits to weed out those who are up to the job. After completing an initial nine-week physical training course to build up his strength, Sam then undertook the demanding Commando Course.

The former Ellowes Hall School pupil had to complete a nine-mile speed march, during which he was carrying full fighting kit, in 90 minutes; a six-mile assault course and a marksmanship test.

He then had to complete the dreaded Thirty Miler, a yomp across Dartmoor which must be completed in eight hours.

Despite the series of arduous tests, Sam passed the course with flying colours.

He is currently stationed in Beverley, in Yorkshire, where he is learning the techniques he will need when he receives his first posting in Afghanistan. His mother Jayne said the whole family were very proud of his achievements. She admitted that she was a little afraid about what he would have to face during his time overseas, but was confident his training would prepare him for anything, despite his young age.

“He’s done unbelievably well seeing as he only turned 17 the day after he finished his training,” she said.

“He impressed his superiors so much he was made a troop leader and had responsibility for 11 others during the Thirty Miler.

“He even did it again two days later to give one of his troop the chance to do it again after they’d failed the first attempt.”

She added: “I’m obviously petrified but he has received the best training in the world to deal with what’s going to be thrown at him.”