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Guardsman

Infantry

THE GUARDS ARE PROVEN IN COMBAT AS LIGHT AND MECHANISED INFANTRY AND TRAIN ACROSS THE WORLD.

"I CHOSE TO BE A GUARDSMAN BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO ON OPERATIONS. I DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN NEXT YEAR."
They might be famous for standing guard outside Buckingham Palace in their red tunics, but British Army guardsmen are also fully trained combat soldiers who deploy on operations abroad. Join them and you'll take part in everything from peacekeeping and disaster relief to armed conflict. You'll also take part in some of Britain's most high-profile public events, like Trooping the Colour.

Key Responsibilities

  • Become a highly trained frontline infantry soldier
  • Specialise in reconnaissance as part of your infantry duties
  • Operate mortars, machine guns and anti-tank missile systems
  • Train as a junior non-commissioned officer and lead Guardsmen
  • Serve with the Guards Parachute Platoon as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade
  • Take part in state ceremonial events like Trooping the Colour

Training For The Role

Step 1
You will be called forward for the 30 week Combat Infantry Course at Catterick. Guards Company instructors will coach you through progressive training in physical fitness, firing weapons, navigation, tactics, survival and driving. If you are 16-17 years and 5 months old, you start at the Army Foundation College Harrogate first, then train at Catterick.

Step 2
On completion of your initial training in the Guards Company at Catterick, you will move to your Guards battalion. Guards battalions conduct training in UK and in Kenya, Canada and Belize routinely. More concentrated periods of mission specific training prepare Guards battalions for operations abroad.

Entry Requirements

Age: 16 years - 35 years 6 months
Qualifications:

No formal qualifications needed

Fitness:
  • Mid Thigh Pull 76kg
  • Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
  • 2km run 10m 15s
More information about the fitness test

Qualifications You Could Get After Training

  • Infantry Soldier Combat Skills
  • Level 2 Safe Use of Weapons qualification
  • Advanced Apprenticeship in Logistics Operations
  • HM Forces Apprenticeship (Public Services)
  • Institute of Leadership and Management Team Leading
  • Adventurous Training Qualifications

Rank Progression

Learn about rank progression here.

Pay and Benefits

Earn £15,671 during training.

When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit as a Private, your pay will rise to £20,000

From the Field

"As a Guardsman, I have become motivated, proactive, confident and committed member of a close-knit team. I am deploying on operations abroad and then I want to be selected as a Lance Corporal. I have also taken part in Trooping the Colour for HM The Queen which was the proudest day of my life."

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.

FIND A LOCAL ARMY CAREER CENTRE START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY
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