IDENTICAL twins David and Adam Power are preparing to leave their Liverpool home for the first time together when they both join the Army.

From babies through to teenagers, the 17-year- olds have been competi- tive in everything they do.

After rising to the rank of sergeant in the cadets and collecting exactly the same number of achieve- ment badges, the twins will start their full-time military careers together as infantry soldiers.

David and Adam, from Norris Green, will swear their oaths of allegiance in Liverpool in December, before enrolling at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, north Yorkshire, in January.

David will join the ranks of the Irish Guards, while Adam, who is younger by 17 minutes, will become a soldier in The Parachute Regiment.

The former Fazakerley High School pupils said one of their proudest moments was forming a cadet guard of honour when the Duke of Lancas- ter’s Regiment was recently awarded the freedom of Liverpool.

The brothers, who are the only children of Tracy, 42, a school catering assistant, and David, 40, a self-employed carpet fitter, chose a military career after hearing tales of their second cousin, David Whitley, a former soldier in The King’s Reg- iment, and as a result of their five years in Mersey- side Army Cadet Force.

David said: “Adam said he wanted a challenge, but I wanted to go to the Irish Guards because I like being smart.”

“I feel excited at the moment and I’m proud to serve my country. But closer to the time I will probably feel a bit scared.”

David, who has only been abroad once before, added: “I like making new friends and I’m looking forward to the new experiences.”

Adam said: “I have always wanted to join the Army. I like staying out in the field and getting dirty.”

“We’ve been to lots of places with the cadets - like Catterick, Nesscliffe, Devon, East Sussex - and we get on well with the TA lads.”

The twins, who play sports including football, swimming, boxing and shooting, turned 17 on Wednesday and are now in competition with each other to pass their driving tests before they start their Army training.

The brothers said they are very close and often know what the other was thinking, but disagree over football because Adam is a Liverpool fan and David supports Everton.

“It’s good being a twin and it’s nice that we will both go to college together,” David said.

Mrs Power said: “Me and the boys are very close and always have been.

“I am very proud of what they have achieved. The thought of me not being able to see them as often does upset me, but I will have to get used to it.

“I am pleased they have got so far. When I read all the nice reports they get (from the cadet instructors), when they tell me where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to, and all the friends they’ve made, it’s lovely to see.

“It has become like our big family, with all the cadets round here. When they joined the cadets, Adam was just obsessed with it, but David was always wanting to join the fire brigade. I am just delighted that they have stuck with it.”

They will become Jun- ior Soldiers at the Army Foundation College. where they will undertake a 12-month mixed programme of military skills training and vocational qualifications.

On graduation, the young soldiers move to their selected units for further training in their chosen trade or specialism.