Doug Beattie MLA promoted to major in the Royal Irish
He tweeted: “Having joined the military as a 16-year-old Ranger (Private) with no educational qualifications, today I have received notification of promotion to Major and sub-unit command.”
He then clarified that he was speaking about the Royal Irish Reserves, which occasionally serve overseas with their full-time counterparts,
“May start running again,” he added.
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Hide AdHe then received a string of congratulations, including those from DUP MLA Christopher Stalford and Lord Kilclooney.
Mr Beattie served three tours in Afghanistan in 2006, 2008 and 2010-11. Originally from Portadown in Northern Ireland, he became a soldier in 1982.
He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in a 13-day-battle in Afghanistan in 2006.