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A Scots Guardsman has said he plans to resign after his face was used on a controversial army recruitment poster that promises to transform 'snowflakes' into soldiers.

Stephen McWhirter, 28, was clueless to the fact his face was going to be used on a poster stating “snowflakes – the army needs you and your compassion”,according to the Mail on Sunday.

He took to Facebook to express his annoyance after seeing his face plastered on the poster. He was bombarded with sarcastic messages from colleagues and he has accused the army of leaving him open to ridicule.

The soldier, based at Wellington Barracks in London, raged over the £1.5million promotional push, in a discussion with fellow squaddies.

One wrote: “Imagine the army taking a photo of you and writing ‘snowflake’ in massive bold letters above your head. I’d be signed straight off.”

Guardsman McWhirter then replied: “Don’t f****** worry, mate, I am.”

In later posts he said he would resign at the soonest opportunity.

He is reportedly able to do so in five months and has spoken of having no forewarning that the term would be used on posters using his image.

The term snowflakes is a negative phrase often used to describe what are deemed as over-sensitive young people and often millennials.

The army poster campaign has been much-maligned since its public release and politicians have spoken out in defence of it.

Based on the historic First World War poster, the billboards call out to “class clowns", binge gamers", “phone zombies", “snowflakes" and “selfie addicts" to say the Army needs their potential.

Speaking in support of it, Conservative MP James Cleverly wrote on Twitter: “People criticising the British Army’s new snowflake recruitment campaign are missing the point.

“The army has always recruited from the society it serves and often from those who some describe as ‘not up to the mark’. It then turns those recruits into world-class soldiers.

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson described the campaign as "a powerful call to action that appeals to those seeking to make a difference as part of an innovative and inclusive team".

He said: “It shows that time spent in the Army equips people with skills for life and provides comradeship, adventure and opportunity like no other job does.

“Now all jobs in the Army are open to men and women. The best just got better."