Sailors from HMS Raleigh will be among the crowd cheering on Plymouth Argyle this Saturday as the club hosts its annual Armed Forces Day for the fifth year.
A group of 34 new recruits will be among more than 200 Royal Navy personnel and their families who have been invited to watch the npower League Two match against Fleetwood Town. They will also be joined by families of those currently deployed on operations.
HMS Raleigh instructor petty officer Louise Faull said: "The recruits are really looking forward to the match and joining the Green Army. It's been a long and arduous nine weeks for them so far and this will be their first opportunity to have some real down-time outside of the training environment. They are all hoping for an Argyle win."
The recruits from Raleigh joined the Royal Navy in January and are currently undergoing their 10 week initial naval training course. They are due to complete training on Friday March 22 when they will be reunited with their families for their passing-out-parade.
Senior Royal Navy Officers and other local dignitaries will attend the match, along with cadet units and a contingent from HMS Heroes, a support group for the children of Servicemen and women.
Members of the armed forces will play a prominent role in event proceedings.
In the build-up to the match there will be performances by the HMS Drake Volunteer Band in collaboration with additional musicians from across the South West, and the HMS Heroes Military Kids Choir.
There will also be a parade of standards and a guard of honour formed by local cadet units and the match ball will be delivered by a serving member of the Armed Forces.
Prior to the game a collection will be made to help support Naval families through the Naval Area Community Office.
And weather and pitch permitting the sea cadets from Training Ship (TS) Golden Hind and TS Manadon will compete in a Field Gun competition at half-time.
Army and Royal Navy careers staff will be on hand to talk to members of the public considering a Service career.
