Household Cavalry Officer

As a general rule your time will be split between combat and ceremonial duties… Officers in the Household Cavalry lead four-strong units of armoured vehicles… and will also spend time carrying out public duties and performing at high-profile events.

Household Cavalry Officers balance leadership in operational environments with representing the Army on ceremonial duties, requiring adaptability and high professional standards in both.

You undergo the same world‑class and rigorous training as every other Army Officer – focusing on leadership, military skills, confidence, problem solving and academic study.

Officer training focuses more on leadership, planning and decision-making. You’ll still be challenged physically, but you’ll spend more time learning how to lead others and take responsibility.

As an officer we have a duty to look after our soldiers, physically but also mentally. We sometimes have to make difficult decisions, even when they’re not easy.

You’re given responsibility early on, but it’s introduced gradually. From the start, you’re trusted to look after yourself, your kit and support your team, with clear guidance and support in place. As you grow in confidence and skills, that responsibility increases. You’re never left to manage things alone. You’re shown what to do, why it matters, and how it fits into the bigger picture.

Sandhurst itself was mostly about learning how to be a soldier, learning about leadership, military studies and platoon‑level tactics. It was a tough 44 weeks, but ultimately really rewarding and fun.

Officer training at Sandhurst is designed to build you into a confident leader. You’ll develop your decision-making, teamwork and resilience, alongside the skills needed to lead others in challenging situations.