Everyday is a different challenge. Live it.
"To close with and defeat the enemy through close Combat."
Looking for an exciting, varied role? Infantry Soldier is a great choice. You’re part of the Army’s front line team, taking part in all kinds of operations – from peace keeping and disaster relief to full scale war. You won’t do this on your own though. You’ll work and train alongside other highly skilled soldiers – who’ll become like family. This team spirit is vital in combat. And you will make friends for life. Together, you’ll take on all kinds of challenges worldwide, including Adventurous Training. 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 Rifle, Underslung Grenade Launcher, Light Machine Gun, Light Support Weapon and the Light Mortar.
- Deploy around the world on everything from front line 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 nineteen Infantry regiments. Each has its own identity and history.
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
You start with a Combat Infantry Course (28 weeks) at The Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC(C)). Here, you do your basic training and your Infantry training (Phase 1 & 2). You learn essential skills such as survival, first aid and map reading while building stamina and fitness.
If you’re aged under 17 years and 5 months, you’ll do your basic training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate for 49 weeks. You’ll then go to ITC(C) to complete your Infantry training over 10 weeks. When you finish, you’ll get your B or C category driving licence before joining your Regiment.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 16 years - 35 years 6 months
QUALIFICATIONS: No formal qualifications needed
FITNESS: Lift 40kg, Carry 120m, 1.5 mile run in 12 min 45 sec (14 min 30 sec for junior entry)
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
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY AND BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £15,230 during training. When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit as a Private your pay will rise to £18,859.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
FROM THE FIELD
“I’ve been an Infantry Soldier for four years now, and in that time I’ve been to Cyprus, Belize, Canada and Afghanistan. It’s amazing to think I’ve been to all those places in such a short space of time. I’ve made my best mates in the Army, and I enjoy every aspect of being a soldier. You need to be fit, have a sense of humour and be ready for any challenge.”
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
You start with two weeks’ training at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, where Regular Army soldiers are trained. Like them, you learn vital skills, like how to survive outdoors and fire weapons. The training also builds your fitness.
Step 2
After mastering the basics you can specialise in advanced combat roles such as Sniper, Machine Gunner or Combat Signaller.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 17 years 9 months - 49 years
QUALIFICATIONS: No formal qualifications needed
FITNESS: Lift 40kg, Carry 120m, 1.5 mile run in 12 min 45 sec
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
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY AND BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £15,230 during training. When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit as a Private your pay will rise to £18,859.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
FROM THE FIELD
“My journey in the Infantry so far has been such an exciting experience; one of my first overseas tours was Belize and operating in the jungle. Soldiering at the raw basic level was an incredible experience. And then the more fun side was a rugby tour to New Zealand, which you can't complain about if it's classed as duty! Going to the Falklands was another life experience; we did a lot of live-fire training and patrols over ground where people actually fought. It's a totally different world being in the Infantry, which I love.”
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.