Nathan Watters hails from Elgin and joined the Army Reserves in March 2015 as a private in the infantry.
The 19-year-old was formerly a cadet and is now studying fitness and health at Moray College, while working on a parttime basis at the Duffus Inn near Elgin.
Ultimately, he plans to join the Royal Marines and feels his training in the Reservists will set him up well.
The Press and Journal spoke to the young soldier as he prepared for a training operation in a built-up area, which involved working together as a team to quickly prepare to defend a dwelling against the enemy.
He was in Zadar the day beforehand and said he enjoyed spending time caving with the other reservists by day and socialising by night.
He added: “I am enjoying my time here and I am learning different skills. In the likes of the section attacks, I am working as part of a team and that is a big thing within the Army.”
