TEENAGER Aiden Redmile has become an elite commando – two years after his school suspended him over a hair dye experiment which went wrong!
Aiden, a former student of Trinity Academy, Thorne, passed out from the Commando Training Centre in Devon and will soon be posted abroad after being awarded his green beret for completing Royal Marines training.
He achieved his long-standing ambition two years after he hit the headlines as the latest victim of Trinity's strict rules on haircuts. The college told Aidenhis short, blond cut was unacceptable.
He had tried to dye it light brown, but it turned ginger. Then he tried to return it to its natural blond state – but the school said the colour was the wrong shade of blond.
School rules insist hair should be its natural colour.
Aiden was suspended for two weeks, but returned to lessons after his family threatened to take the school to the High Court in London for unlawful suspension.
Today he is the toast of the school after making the grade in the elite regiment.
Academy principal Ian Brew said: "The green beret is a coveted symbol which represents a tremendous achievement and all that is best in the services.
"We hope the time Aiden spent at Trinity helped him in the pursuit of his chosen career.
"We are very proud of him. He is a credit to himself and his family. We wish him every success in the future and we will continue to watch his progress with interest."
The 17-year-old from Thorne joined the Marines after using his stamina to successfully complete a feared 30-mile speed march which potential new recruits must finish.
He also had to prove his physical endurance and mental strength, living on the land and sleeping rough in wet and cold conditions.
Aiden will now head to Portugal, Scotland and Norway for further specialist training in different climates.
Then he will go on to serve in conflict zones such as Afghanistan.
During his time at Trinity Academy, Aiden was one of the top sporting performers, being cross-country champion for the school and for his house.
And he has also won the Navy and Marines Cross-Country Championships.
He hopes to become a physical training instructor after forging a career in the Marines.
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