At a glance
- Featured
- Soldier
- combat
Protecting the nation and preventing conflict, an Infantry Soldier is among the most active soldiers in the Army, with an incredibly varied, exciting role.
- £25,200The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
- £25,200Your pay after completing basic trade training
- AgeFrom 16 years & 0 months to 35 years & 6 months
- QualificationsNo formal qualifications needed
Highly skilled. Extremely fit. Always ready for the next challenge. The British Army’s Infantry Soldiers are respected throughout the world. From disaster relief to protecting the nation, nothing compares to the fast-changing life of the Infantry. You’ll be at the heart of the action, working to keep vulnerable communities safe and prevent conflict, doing something that really matters. Whatever you’re doing or where you are in the world, you’ll work and train alongside other highly skilled close-combat professionals. They’re there to help you through whatever life throws at you, on operations, on exercise or on the sports field – it’s belonging like nothing else and they’ll become friends for life. With the chance to gain qualifications, you will learn and move up the ranks too.
Key Responsibilities
Master of a number of weapons, including the SA80 Rifle, Underslung Grenade Launcher, Light Support Weapon and the Light Mortar
Deploy around the world on everything from frontline operations to disaster relief missions
Work in a close-knit section and make friends for life
Get promoted into a huge variety of specialist Infantry roles and eventually advise senior officers
Join one of Britain’s 16 Infantry regiments. Each has its own identity and history
Have any questions? Talk with us
Regular (full time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 16 years & 0 months to 35 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
No formal qualifications needed
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull 76kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
MSFT (beep test) level 8.06
Army Reserve standards
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm
MSFT (beep test): Level 5.08
Training for the role
Step 1
You start with a Combat Infantry Course (28 weeks) at The Infantry Training Centre Catterick. Here, you do your Basic Training and then your Infantry Initial Trade Training. Your instructors will coach you through progressive training where you will learn essential skills such as firing weapons, survival, first aid and map reading while building stamina and fitness.
If you’re aged under 17 years and 6 months, you’ll do your Basic Training (long) course at the Army Foundation College Harrogate. You’ll then go to Catterick to complete your Infantry Initial Trade Training over 10 weeks.
Step 2
On completion of your Initial Trade Training, you will move to your Infantry Battalion. Battalions routinely conduct training in the UK, Europe, Kenya and Belize. More concentrated periods of mission-specific training prepare battalions for operations abroad.
Qualifications you could get after training
Vocational Driving Licences
HM Forces Serviceperson (Protective Services) Apprenticeship
Leadership and Management qualifications to degree level
Assessor qualifications
Coaching and mentoring
Adventure Training Qualifications (Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Mountain Climbing, Summer Mountain Training).
Pay & benefits
You'll earn £25,200 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.
There are significant benefits including subsidised meals and low cost accommodation, as well as free medical and dental care. In addition, when deployed on exercise or on operations, normally you would not pay for either food or accommodation.
How to Apply
Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.