The Cumbrian sisters finished the 20-week course at Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn and will now start training in their chosen trade as Army musicians.
The identical twins will both head to Kneller Hall, near Twickenham, which is home to the Royal Military School of Music. The next phase of their training could last anything up to a year. After that, they will be posted to one of the British Army's 23 bands.
Maria and Sally were among 98 young recruits on the passing out parade at ATR (Bassingbourn), in Cambridgeshire, today. Eighteen members of their family, including mum Sheena and dad Peter, as well as their three other sisters and three brothers, made the long journey from home in Askam-in-Furness to watch the parade.
The girls are former pupils of Dowdales School and are proficient at playing both the cornet and the piano. They both sat GCSE music a year earlier than their peers – and both achieved grade A. Maria explained:
"I have always been interested in music and horses. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I left school and then I saw the Queen's birthday parade on TV and there were soldiers playing instruments and soldiers on horseback. So that got me thinking and I went down to the Army careers office."
"I saw the Queen's birthday parade on TV and there were soldiers playing instruments and soldiers on horseback. So that got me thinking."
Maria Lacey (or was it Sally?)
Maria was then joined by her sister on a week's work experience placement with the Band of the Life Guards – and both became hooked on the idea of joining the Army as musicians. Maria said:
"I've really enjoyed the basic training [at ATR Bassingbourn]. We've done all kinds of things – learning about rifles, PT, drills... I think the best bits were adventure training; we did rock climbing and hill walking."
Sally added:
"We were both in the same platoon, Minden Platoon, here at Bassingbourn and we were in the same accommodation block. It's good having my sister here."
Proud mum Sheena explained how the girls first developed an interest in music:
"It was their brother who first wanted to join a band. I took him along and the girls came with me. They would have been nine or ten at the time and they loved it."
"I was really proud of them today, but then I am proud of all my children," added Sheena. "They have done exceptionally well. They were really excited throughout the whole 20 weeks. They have just grasped every opportunity that was given to them."