A FORMER Joseph Rowntree School pupil from Haxby, York, is starting a new life as an Army officer after passing out of the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

John Miles, 24, is taking up his role as a newly-commissioned second lieutenant in the Royal Logistics Corps.

He was one of 239 officer cadets at the Sovereign's passing out ceremony at Sandhurst, where the Queen was represented by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce.

John was awarded his commission after completing a demanding 42-week course involving intense fitness training, military tactics, battle exercises and leadership programmes designed to develop and test his ability to lead troops in the most demanding conditions.

Updated: 11:28 Saturday, January 11, 2003