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.
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
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 42 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 Basic Training, this consists of two main courses and some online training packages. You can book on the courses to fit around your daily life, so it could take you several months to finish your basic training.
Module 1: Foundation Training. 5 alternate residential weekends Fri - Sun at an Army training centre OR a nine-day residential course.
Module 2: Battlecamp. 15-day residential course at an Army training establishment. You will learn fieldcraft, Skill at Arms, fitness training, qualities of a soldier, military knowledge, Battlefield casualty drills, individual health and education. This will culminate with a Passing Off Parade which your family and friends can attend to celebrate your success.
Step 2
After mastering the basics you can specialise in advanced combat roles, such as Sniper, Machine Gunner or Combat Signaller.
Qualifications you could get after training
All driving licences
ILM Team Leading Award
Public Services Apprenticeships in Security, Communications, Engineering, Carry and Deliver Goods, and Storage and Warehousing
BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Relief Operations Skills
NVQ Level 2 Public Service
Parachuting
Pay & benefits
You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £63.27 in training and once you're a Private and increasing as you rise through the ranks. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training, you're entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.
How to Apply
When you decide to apply, your local unit will help you through the process - you don't need to wait until you've finished Army Assessment to get involved.
To join, you have to apply online. The application process will take some time, but you can also ring the unit you're interested in joining - the team there will help often invite you to join them for drill nights, and you'll get support for your application.